“Let’s be kind to one another. We’re just wicked people living among wicked people. Only one thing can give us peace, and that’s a pact of mutual leniency.”
-Seneca
The term “nu-metal” has always been a misnomer to me, since it’s often used to lump in a bunch of bands that really have nothing in common. Korn started it all with their mix of down-tuned seven-strings and low-end grooves. Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, and Hed PE had their mix of heavy metal, hip-hop beats, and rap. Bands like Static-X and Dope leaned in a more industrial direction. Coal Chamber were goth. And so on, and so forth.
And then you had Staind. Some of their early hits were heavy, sure to please the red-faced frat boys in the mosh pit at some Family Values tour stop. But they also had all these acoustic almost-ballads that recalled the unplugged sets of Nirvana and Alice in Chains, rather than their contemporaries in the nu-metal scene.
“Right Here” might just be my favourite example. Released in June of 2005, it was the lead single off their album Chapter V. Like “It’s Been Awhile” and “So Far Away” before it, the track reached the number one spot on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Most bands in the scene would have started with their heaviest tracks. Not so with Staind. It was even a crossover hit on adult contemporary charts.
Like many songs in Staind’s catalogue, “Right Here” is played in drop G# tuning. Guitarist Mike Mushok has long favoured baritone guitars over your standard scale lengths, and he has had signature models with Ibanez and PRS. Very melodic and layered, which was key to Staind’s sound in the 2000s. The song definitely continued the band’s evolution from hard-hitting nu-metallers into accomplished career artists with a wide range of styles and moods.
This makes the backdrop for Aaron Lewis’s lyrics. This is not your standard nu-metal fare of hating the world and being angry at everyone — it’s looking in the mirror and feeling regret, being self-aware, and just generally allowing oneself to be vulnerable. He speaks of mistakes made in a relationship, acknowledging his weaknesses and behaviour, but also looking forward and committing oneself to change and making amends.
“I know I’ve been mistaken,” the first verse opens. “But just give me a break and see the changes that I’ve made.” This appeal for patience and understanding sets the tone for the entire track, right from the start.
The chorus:
“But you always find a way
To keep me right here waiting
You always find the words to say
To keep me right here waiting
And if you chose to walk away
I’d still be right here waiting
Searching for the things to say
To keep you right here waiting.”
Good use of repetition, as it really emphasises Lewis’s willingness to do the right thing. We don’t know how it’s going to go, but at least he knows the words for it, which is something. Yeah, people love to say actions speak louder than words, and I guess that’s true, but it’s easy to forget that we don’t always know where to start. Putting things into words can actually help.
Maybe I’m losing perspective, but if there’s one thing the world could do with, it’s forgiveness and tolerance.
“Human beings need forgiveness like we need oxygen,” columnist David French of the National Review said. “A nation devoid of grace will make its people miserable, and misery isn’t confined to the famous subjects of shame storms. It spreads to the micro-bursts of rage that impact normal folks across the land.”
This is especially true when you consider today’s culture of online shaming, whether the person deserves it or not. Something I’ve seen a lot of in conservative circles is this thing of “Never apologise to the mob!” This is regarding cancel culture and the mob mentality surrounding it. And I tend to agree. Such groups don’t want apologies, they just want blood. But that’s on both ends of the political spectrum. It’s like there is no political division sometimes, just this wagon-circling that exists on all sides.
An apology between individuals, however, is different. If you make a mistake, if you hurt someone close to you with your words or actions, then yes, an apology is definitely in order. And to forgive, you can do so for the other person, or for yourself. It could be knowing there’s nothing to be gained by holding onto anger and resentment. Or, because you don’t want to be emotionally entwined with that person anymore, to not let them or the situation control you. Not to justify or validate their actions, but to let go of those negative emotions and move on with your life.
Or you might really appreciate and accept their remorse. There is something amazing about a person making an honest mistake and truly seeing this, being grateful for a second chance, and making the effort to correct their wrongdoings and be better.
It all depends on the people and the situation, but there are many ways.
“Right Here” remains one of my favourite Staind tracks to this day, as I have always preferred this type — highly polished and structured around a melodic hook, balancing acoustic and electric guitar work with Aaron’s vocals.
“It’s Been Awhile” and “Outside” may get all the press, but I honestly think “Right Here” sits comfortably with them, perhaps more so than “So Far Away.” You could say it’s your run-of-the-mill rock radio hit, and you may be right, but I still think it’s great.
Even if Aaron Lewis can be a complete jughead outside of his otherwise excellent lyrics, but I forgive him for that.
Lawrence Deveney 