Taking a closer look at each particular song on the demo tape reveals the optimistic and self betterment themes that were so popular with him at the time. Many of Eddies songs were very self explanatory. However, there were times when his lyrics were ambiguous. He never liked to tell you, directly, what a particular song was about. He wanted people to make up there own mind as well as carefully listen for the messages. "Music and lyrics mean different things to different people, and I don't want to spoil that by telling them what I intended it to mean." Eddie stated. I could eventually get some answers out of him if I really tried, but it wasn't easy.
The song 'Can't Find a Better Man' was a song about a woman who settled for a man that she couldn't love because he was, basically, a loser. The song stated that she was on the look out for a better man, but didn't have the courage to leave and find someone better. The self betterment theme is strong here. The moral of the song was "to have the courage to leave an unhealthy situation; to look in the right places for quality people and not settling for second best because you always deserve the best." I can't help but to think that the song strongly implicates his mother and the relationships that followed from his 'real' dad leaving. It was written as a teenager as he sat in bed at night.
I actually thought 'Crossroads' was the best written and recorded song Eddie had done before moving to Seattle. It was recorded in Chicago at a friends eight track home studio when he went out to visit. It was the only one of the four songs where keyboards and synthesizers were used to compliment the fast paced rhythm guitar, giving the song another dimension. It was a very inspiring song about the direction in life one must decide on. It was very much an 'arena rock' type song similar to the types of songs that made U2 an amazing act to see back in the 80's.
The original version of 'Believe You Me' was ugly. It was full of dead space and had no hook to be found. It was very boring. However, this is the same song that was redone by Bad Radio a year and a half later. The newer version of 'Believe You Me' was quite good. It had a faster tempo combined with descent fills and a better hook. Definitely, the best song Bad Radio ever did. This song was their representative 'single' to attempt air play, as well as enter music contests. In 1990, Bad Radio won the battle of the bands (San Diego) contest at Rio's using this song. A very well known rock and roll disc jockey for many years throughout southern California, John Leslie (2002 note: John recently passed away, RIP John), was a judge at the contest. After winning the contest he approached Eddie, shook his hand and said, "Now THAT is what rock and roll is all about." Eddie had the biggest smile on his face when he gave me the news. John was a person that knew his rock and roll and was very well respected by many, including Eddie.