Colin Hay, to me, epitomises the reason I have always wanted to play the guitar. This guy is a songwriter, composer, singer and as good a player of the acoustic guitar as they come. As far as music is concerned, if I ever dreamed of becoming some kind of a musician, it would have to be him. He works wonders with his soulful guitar playing (the kind which stirs quite a few chords in my heart), unique voice and amazing stories. Yes, his songs are little stories in themselves.
In 1967, Colin Hay was 14 years old, traveling by ship through the Suez Canal from Scotland to Australia. He played some acoustic guitar, sang a song, and told some stories. He did that then, and he does that now. This is the thread that runs through all his work for the last 25 years...... Transporting when he sings, hilarious when he talks, he expresses what we all share - the peaks and valleys of our lives.
I couldn't have put it any better than this.
'Beautiful World' and 'Overkill' were the first to catch my attention. They were a part of the 'Scrubs' soundtrack which Suhas had downloaded. But it was only after coming to Bangalore that I really started to listen to more of his songs and since then the fascination has grown manifolds. It has almost reached a level of worship. I can listen to his songs when I'm sad. I can listen to his songs when I'm happy. I can listen to them in the early morning and in the middle of the night, alone and with friends. His songs almost elevate me.
In the next few days, I'm going to try and play 'Beautiful World' and 'Into The Cornfields'. I just hope I had my hostel 'music' buddies to give me company. You know how sometimes one song, one incident can trigger off a chain of thoughts. Colin Hay reminds me of Scrubs and of hostel. My room. And when I think of Scrubs and the songs, it invariably reminds me of Suhas and Karthik and the time we spent (mostly in my room) trying out new songs and singing the old ones. At times, a few other friends would randomly stop by and listen, standing at the door even. And you know what. I miss those moments like anything.
If you have not still heard this guy, do so now. Just let me know and I will send you the songs. Take my word, it should be worth the effort.
I leave you with the lyrics of a song by this amazingly talented guy. If you have any questions in your mind, this should answer it.
In 1967, Colin Hay was 14 years old, traveling by ship through the Suez Canal from Scotland to Australia. He played some acoustic guitar, sang a song, and told some stories. He did that then, and he does that now. This is the thread that runs through all his work for the last 25 years...... Transporting when he sings, hilarious when he talks, he expresses what we all share - the peaks and valleys of our lives.
I couldn't have put it any better than this.
'Beautiful World' and 'Overkill' were the first to catch my attention. They were a part of the 'Scrubs' soundtrack which Suhas had downloaded. But it was only after coming to Bangalore that I really started to listen to more of his songs and since then the fascination has grown manifolds. It has almost reached a level of worship. I can listen to his songs when I'm sad. I can listen to his songs when I'm happy. I can listen to them in the early morning and in the middle of the night, alone and with friends. His songs almost elevate me.
In the next few days, I'm going to try and play 'Beautiful World' and 'Into The Cornfields'. I just hope I had my hostel 'music' buddies to give me company. You know how sometimes one song, one incident can trigger off a chain of thoughts. Colin Hay reminds me of Scrubs and of hostel. My room. And when I think of Scrubs and the songs, it invariably reminds me of Suhas and Karthik and the time we spent (mostly in my room) trying out new songs and singing the old ones. At times, a few other friends would randomly stop by and listen, standing at the door even. And you know what. I miss those moments like anything.
If you have not still heard this guy, do so now. Just let me know and I will send you the songs. Take my word, it should be worth the effort.
I leave you with the lyrics of a song by this amazingly talented guy. If you have any questions in your mind, this should answer it.
Any minute now, my ship is coming in
I'll keep checking the horizon
I'll stand on the bow, feel the waves come crashing
Come crashing down down down, on me
And you say, be still my love
Open up your heart
Let the light shine in
But don't you understand
I already have a plan
I'm waiting for my real life to begin
When I awoke today, suddenly nothing happened
But in my dreams, I slew the dragon
And down this beaten path, and up this cobbled lane
I'm walking in my old footsteps, once again
And you say, just be here now
Forget about the past, your mask is wearing thin
Let me throw one more dice
I know that I can win
I'm waiting for my real life to begin
Any minute now, my ship is coming in
I’ll keep checking the horizon
And I'll check my machine, there's sure to be that call
It's gonna happen soon, soon, soon
It's just that times are lean
And you say, be still my love
Open up your heart, let the light shine in
Don't you understand
I already have a plan
I'm waiting for my real life to begin
I'll keep checking the horizon
I'll stand on the bow, feel the waves come crashing
Come crashing down down down, on me
And you say, be still my love
Open up your heart
Let the light shine in
But don't you understand
I already have a plan
I'm waiting for my real life to begin
When I awoke today, suddenly nothing happened
But in my dreams, I slew the dragon
And down this beaten path, and up this cobbled lane
I'm walking in my old footsteps, once again
And you say, just be here now
Forget about the past, your mask is wearing thin
Let me throw one more dice
I know that I can win
I'm waiting for my real life to begin
Any minute now, my ship is coming in
I’ll keep checking the horizon
And I'll check my machine, there's sure to be that call
It's gonna happen soon, soon, soon
It's just that times are lean
And you say, be still my love
Open up your heart, let the light shine in
Don't you understand
I already have a plan
I'm waiting for my real life to begin
11 comments:
doooooooood!!!
good song yaar...i want more, ....if u want company on the guitar, i can give, appears easy to play :) but really good one, the vocals though wud require some real "long holdings"...i really appreciate this.
Have only listened to 'Beautiful World' and 'Overkill'(Scrubs). Will definitely try other songs too. After all, over years, u hv become most trustworthy reviewer of songs or anything to do with music :)
i have all but stopped playing guitar yaar, its only your blogs like this one which incite me to take it up again. keep writing!
@shravan.. will mail u the best ones soon.. and yeah we can jam smtime
@sunny thanks dude for the generous compliment
@suhas... look whos come out of hibernation to comment!!.. come over here.. have a lot of stuff to teach u now...gurudakshina time :D
@cathatfished.. thanks... already have most of his songs :)
You are inspiring me to start playing the piano agaon which I haven't touched for almost one and half years ... sometimes you just let life get in the way. Excellent song!
i love "overkill" and "beautiful world"; zach braff has done a good job of getting so many guys noticed ("the shins" in garden state) - he has a really good taste
haven't heard any other song from colin hay - but might come to your place one of these days to pick other songs up (and maybe hear you belt out a few too!!)
-kothari
scrubs rocks!! the soundtrack is beautiful and as kothari has pointed out, its helped "lesser known" musicians become better known (speaking relative to myself :))
oh its begun hasnt it :)
@cathatfished... not quite ... still waiting :)
I love the song waiting for my real life to begin I have been searcging everywhere for sheet music for it I wanted it for a piano as a gift for a friend If you can help out or anyone can help out I would appreciate it
cheers
pep
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