Based in the UK, the two musicians set out to create a multimedia project that would encompass a CD, DVD and cinematic presentation that would offer a complete artistic statement. The project offers music, digital video footage shot over the course of six months by Catto and Bridgeman, images, rhythms and spoken word content.
The first project features contributions from Dennis Hopper, Kurt Vonnegut, Michael Stipe, Robbie Williams, Tim Robbins, Brian Eno, Baaba Maal, Speech, Asha Bhosle, Neneh Cherry, Anita Roddick, Michael Franti and other artists and authors.
The band's theme for the project is "Unity Through Diversity".
1 Giant Leap's "My Culture" video, featuring Robbie Williams and Maxi Jazz from Faithless has received extensive airplay.
After nearly four years the new 1 Giant Leap project, currently titled 'What About Me' has been handed over by Duncan Bridgeman and Jamie Catto. Twelve films and twleve tracks about "...all the different ways we're mad...desperate, obsessed, neurotic, fixated...the insane ways we make ourselves unhappy..."
When Jamie Catto and Duncan Bridgeman joined forces to create the project 1 Giant Leap, they embarked upon a global journey that included Senegal, Ghana, South Africa, Uganda, India, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, America and Europe, equipped solely with a digital video camera, a laptop and a vision - to capture and weave together a unique fusion of sound, image and spoken word from some of the world's most happening musicians, authors, scientists and thinkers and to explore 'The Unity in the Diversity'.
Their treasure hunt brought many unexpected collaborations with such inspirations as Michael Stipe, Kurt Vonnegut, Tom Robbins, Dennis Hopper, Brian Eno, Asha Bhosle, and Baaba Maal. The resulting double-Grammy nominated DVD consists of 11 short films - INSPIRATION, MONEY, FAITH, SEX, DEATH, CONFRONTATION, TIME, BLASPHEMY, UNITY, MASKS, HAPPY, and 30 behind the scenes movies. You might have seen 'The Making Of 1 Giant Leap' which has been broadcast globally by National Geographic Channel. Or perhaps you've seen them playing live with their 10 piece band and cinema screens.
Trailers to all the TV episodes can be found on www.youtube.com/1giantleapofficial and events and screening information can be found at www.myspace.com/1giantleap
We traveled round the world collaborating with the most happenig musicians, authors, scientists and thinkers we could find to explore the unity in diversity. Produced by Duncan Bridgeman & Jamie Catto. 70% water, 18% carbon, 5% nitrogen, 2% calcium.
My Culture
1 Giant Leap Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That bring tears to my eyes
Poppa said we had to be wise to live long lives
Now I recognize what my father said before he died
Vocalized things I left unsaid
Left my spirit unfed for too long
I'm coming home to my family where I can be strong
For you I plan to be
This is what my daddy told me
I wish he would hold me a little more than he did
But he taught me my culture
And how to live positive
I never want to shame the blood in my veins
And bring pain to my sweet grandfather's face
In his resting place
I'll make haste to learn and not waste
Everything my forefathers earned in tears
For my culture
Fall back again
Crawl from the warm waters (for my culture)
Water to air
You're on your feet again
Your feet again
Hello Dad, remember me
I'm the man you'd thought I'd never be
I'm the boy who you reduced to tears
Dad, I've been lonely for twenty seven years
Yeah, that's right, my name's Rob
I'm the one who landed the pop star's job
I'm the one who you told look don't touch
I'm the kid who wouldn't amount to much
I believe in the senses sight and sound
I have always been too loud
Won't you help me drown it out
I'm what I feel, what I'm feeling is surreal
I'm a mass of spinning wheels
Always digging in my heels
Now I've got the faith to
Fall back again
Crawl from the warm waters
Water to air
You're on your feet again
Your feet again
Huh, this is what my daddy told me
I wish he would hold me a little more than he did
But he taught me my culture
And how to live positive
I never want to shame the blood in my veins
And bring pain to my sweet grandfather's face
In his resting place
I'll make haste to learn and not waste
Everything my forefathers earned in tears
For my culture
Fall back again
Crawl from the warm waters
Water to air
You're on your feet again
Your feet again
(For my culture)
Fall back again
Crawl from the warm waters
Water to air
You're on your feet again
Your feet again
(For my culture)
The lyrics of 1 Giant Leap's "My Culture" delve into the importance of familial connection and the preservation of cultural traditions. The opening lines illustrate the lyrics' main theme, stating that the singer, after looking back on his life, understands the wisdom of his father's advice that they must be wise to live a long life. Through his father's teachings, the singer feels grounded and connected to his ancestry, which he believes will bring him continuity. He recognizes that he has neglected his ancestral traditions, which has left his spirit unfed, but now he's coming back to his family, where he can be strong. These lyrics highlight the importance of staying connected to our roots and maintaining cultural practices.
The second verse of the song is a conversation between the singer and his father. The singer talks to his father, telling him that he's the man his father thought he'd never be. The singer expresses how lonely he's been for the last 27 years, and he's finally found his place in life as a pop star. He expresses his desire to be himself, to feel everything, and to drown out the noise surrounding him. He concludes the conversation by asserting that he will make haste to learn and not waste all that his forefathers earned in tears for his culture. These lyrics show the singer's desire to maintain his lineage's cultural heritage while still acknowledging his personal growth and identity.
Overall, the lyrics of "My Culture" urge us to stay grounded in our roots and traditions while embracing personal growth and individuality.
Line by Line Meaning
When I look back over the years at the things That bring tears to my eyes
Reflecting on past experiences that were emotional
Poppa said we had to be wise to live long lives
Advice provided by father figure on how to live a long life
Now I recognize what my father said before he died
Acknowledging the wisdom of father's words after he is gone
Vocalized things I left unsaid Left my spirit unfed for too long
Regretting not expressing oneself and feeling unfulfilled as a result
I'm coming home to my family where I can be strong For you I plan to be Within me, my ancestry, giving me continuity, huh
Desiring to return to one's roots and reconnect with ancestors for strength and continuity
This is what my daddy told me I wish he would hold me a little more than he did But he taught me my culture And how to live positive
Father figure provided guidance on cultural identity and positive living
I never want to shame the blood in my veins And bring pain to my sweet grandfather's face In his resting place I'll make haste to learn and not waste Everything my forefathers earned in tears For my culture
Motivation to honor forefathers and cultural identity by not shaming bloodline and valuing hard-earned experiences
Fall back again Crawl from the warm waters Water to air You're on your feet again Your feet again
Coping with setbacks and overcoming challenges by persevering and getting back on one's feet
Hello Dad, remember me I'm the man you'd thought I'd never be I'm the boy who you reduced to tears Dad, I've been lonely for twenty seven years Yeah, that's right, my name's Rob I'm the one who landed the pop star's job I'm the one who you told look don't touch I'm the kid who wouldn't amount to much
Addressing past relationship with father and how it influenced one's self-doubt and eventual success
I believe in the senses sight and sound I have always been too loud Won't you help me drown it out I'm what I feel, what I'm feeling is surreal I'm a mass of spinning wheels Always digging in my heels Now I've got the faith to
Describing a tumultuous internal experience and seeking help to overcome it
(For my culture)
Reiterating the importance of cultural identity and heritage
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Robert Peter Williams, Duncan Philip Bridgeman, Maxwell Alexander Fraser, James David Catto, Nigel Butler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MIRIS891
Hello Dad
Remember me?
I'm the man you thought I'd never be
I'm the boy who you
Reduced to tears
Dad, I'd been lonely for 27 years
Yeah, that's right
My name Rob
I'm the one
Who landed the popstar's job
I'm the one who
You told look, don't touch
I'm the kid
Who wouldn't amount too much
I believe in the senses that I sound
I have always been too loud
Won't you help me drown it out?
And When I feel
What I'm feeling is so real
I'm a massive spinnin' wheel
Always digging in my heels
Now I got the faith to
Fall back again
Crawl from the warm water
Water to air
You're on your feet again
Your feet again
@TheHippocrocapig
RIP to a lyrical master. Gone but not forgotten
@listianocrowe
Amen ❤
@lilym7908
It hit me hard when he left us ❤
@michaelfearnhead321
One of his best, yet most underated tracks. RIP Maxi Jazz
@kristianhumphreys
Such a deep and thoughtful song, Robbie was awesome on it aswell
@martinreay504
One of my favourite Maxi Jazz tunes yet one lesser known. RIP Maxi Jazz you will be missed but left an amazing catalogue of music
@mjg239
RIP Maxi Jazz. Just learned of his passing. Loved him on this song, been playing this for years. One of my favorites from the 2000s and brings such great feelings and wonderful energy.
@MrsJuliamustdie
I miss this old MTV
@glx3846
I remember watching this video on MTV back in 2001
@sparkyhughes131
was just thinkin that, i think this is a forgotten tune