Easily the most-popular song from Caviar Dreams and For My N.I.G.G.A.S., “Over A Star Ocean” has a bit of a history. Originally intended as the segue between CD and FMN, “Over A Star Ocean” is an extremely personal song that came together as I was closing out Caviar Dreams. Benji suggested I do a track that tied the two projects together and I wanted to further the idea that “Caviar Dreams” weren’t just about money, they were more about being rich in family and in love as well as being financially stable. So, as is the case with many SOTB songs over the years, I began the track with a conversation with my youngest son to set the mood.

That conversation was just a sample of where my family’s head was in the summer/early fall of 2020. We were, COVID or otherwise, enjoying our lives and working to make things work in a quarantine-heavy world. The song itself discusses how I liken myself to certain anime and JRPG characters. I’ll give people the shirt off my back and sometimes become so focused on everyone else, I’ll forget about my own wants and needs.

This is why I made the reference to Fruits Basket protagonist Tohru Honda. Anyone who’s see Fruits Basket knows Tohru is a kindhearted person who sometimes lets her own desires to keep others safe and comfortable take away from her own wants and needs. It’s selfless, but I admit that it’s not an ideal solution. Instead, it can be harmful is one’s not careful.

That said, the track continues to discuss how I’m able to be there for my family and friends–while still learning to focus on myself when needed. The song dares its listener to find faults in the logic presented. Who wants to tell a man that he can’t be a great father and provider? No one does, regardless of how you feel about that person as an artist. I think this song is as popular on Spotify as it is because it’s catchy but also introspective. It’s, in some ways, a quintessential SOTB song.

Going back to its placement on CD, I originally wanted it to close out the album. Benji had other ideas. As I mentioned when the deluxe edition’s tracklist was finalized, Benji was the one who came up with the tracklist for that version. In my opinion, it flows even better than the standard edition, since it becomes its own thing while still keeping the ideas of CD alive and well. Benji suggested I have this song come on before “Wild Arms” and after the “John’s Bastard” interlude. By doing so, it shows that I am more than just that label. I think it also works to come before “Wild Arms” because that duo of songs, to me, are two of the strongest on the album. If you’ve yet to hear this song, check it out above and remember to support dope music in all its forms. You never know when you’ll find your new favorite song.