"put Your right hand on my heart"

Rolling Stone called them "perhaps the best unsigned band in America."

Then no one less than Dave Matthews signed them to his label.

Their drummer won Esquire's "Best Drummer in America."

And check out these reviews..



All I knew until today is that their single, "Right Hand on My Heart" is featured on a Paste magazine sampler CD. Then, yesterday, I actually found time....in between flights, in the Salt Lake City airport... to play it.

It was with only halfhearted expectation I might find one tack I liked that I placed on the headphones on.

But I could have easily missed my plane.

Even though it is partly true, as one reviewer said "Every city in American has a band that has mastered this sound," I still felt like I was listening to history/future being made. The official bio: "this young band already has a distinctive identity and a sound that, though informed by the past, doesn't ape anyone else" is closer to the truth

I am a sucker for their early 90s sound and optimism.

I am intrigued by their passion and God-haunted lyrics.

They didn't hit me as extremely original, but somehow the song gave me chills I hadn't experienced since discovering Cockburn, The Violet Burning, the 77s (also lauded by Rolling Stone in 1986, still seen by many as the best band that's not a household word)...or the day I first heard a new little combo on WPLR New Haven in 1980 (uh, four guys from Ireland).

In my googling since I got home, I haven't found out if the guys in The Whigs are Christian..but they have toured with Mutemath, and have been interviewed by a pastor for Relevant Magazine.


They have been playing to crowds of twelve...and even then reviewers write things like :

"It was unequivocally the best concert I have ever seen."

They recorded their first record in a frat house with equipment they bought on EBay, and then resold there to make a bit of money to make their second (it just came out).

Surprisingly, I can't even google up the lyrics to "Right Hand."

But since they played it on Letterman the other night (they are known for winning fans with live performances), all that will (or should) change.

It reminded me of watching Tom Petty singing "Refugee"on Saturday Night Live in 1979, knowing that he would be a star by morning.

Watch the Letterman version of "Right Hand on My Heart" below, hear the studio version on MySpace, or catch the free legal mp3 here.

All the fallen leaves will find their branches again
Raindrops from the heavens I'll eventually swim
A river, an ocean, a wave in my heart
We got your money now we'll make a new start

All the fallen leaves will find their branches again
Raindrops in the heavens I'll eventually swim
River, an ocean, a wave in my heart
We got your money now we'll make a new start

In another week, i promise
In another year, i promise

Put your right hand on my heart

All the fallen leaves will find their branches again
The raindrops in the heavens I'll eventually swim
Don't bypass the train-tracks that lead to my heart
We got your money now we'll make a new start

All the fallen leaves will find their branches again
Raindrops in the heavens I'll eventually swim
River, an ocean, a wave in my heart
We got your money now we'll make a new start

In another week, promise?
In another year, promise?

Put your right hand on my heart

Your right hand on my heart
Your right hand on my heart
Feel the promise of my beating heart

All the fallen leaves will find their branches again
Raindrops in the heavens I'll eventually swim
River, an ocean, a wave in my heart
We got your money now we'll make a new start