Stewart grew up in the coastal resort town of Bournemouth, Dorset. According to Songfacts, in days of youthful folly Stewart played in a beat group with later BBC DJ Tony Blackburn before moving to the capital to seek fortune and fame.
Having bought his first guitar from future Police guitarist Andy Summers, Stewart traded in his electric guitar for an acoustic guitar when he was offered a weekly slot at Bunjies Coffee House in London's Soho in 1965. From there, he went on to compete at the Les Cousins folk club on Greek Street, where he played alongside Cat Stevens, Bert Jansch, Van Morrison, Roy Harper and Ralph McTell
Although he had his share of the breaks, including a tenure at Bunjees coffee house and a record deal with CBS, life wasn't always easy for the young troubadour; his first serious love affair ended in disaster, and he experienced all the usual insecurities of the stranger in the big city trying to find his way.
In January 1970, Melody Maker named his second release Love Chronicles its Folk Album Of The Year, but in spite of his obviously carving out quite a name for himself, it was not until Year Of The Cat - the single and even more so the monster album - that he really shot to fame.
He emigrated to the United States as his career took off in the mid 1970s, and still lives in California. While studio albums are now few and far between, he still tours extensively in the United States, and, most years, in Europe. Recordings of concerts are often made available through his fan clubs.
Midas Shadow
Al Stewart Lyrics
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And your overnight bag at your feet
YOu're looking down on the tropical trees
While the Spanish maids pick up the sheets
Conquistador in search of gold
For all the jack-daw reasons
The Midas shadow that's so hard to please
Follows wherever you go
Nothing ventured, nothing gained they said
So you played for the winner takes all
And tossed the dice high up and craned your head
To see how the numbers would fall
You stole the game so easily
Your luck ran with the seasons
But still the shadow that the night won't free just
Follows wherever you go
Another day, another boarding card,
As you wait for your seat on the 'plane
The movie runs but you're still working hard
And you don't touch your food or champagne
I know that when your well runs dry
YOu'll want to know the reason
The empty night will bring you no reply
As it follows wherever you go.
Al Stewart's Midas Shadow is a song about the ultimate cost of our ambitions, no matter how great that prize may seem, for in the pursuit of greatness or wealth, one almost always loses something, whether that be friends, love, or faith. In this particular song, the singer is a conquistador who spends his life chasing gold and glory, never taking his eyes off the prize, only to realize too late the cost of his pursuit. The opening lines paint a picture of a man on a plane, headed towards his latest adventure, looking out at the world from above, feeling accomplished as the Spanish maids come in to clean up around him. However, the Midas shadow, the fame and power and validation that he craves so much, will never leave him, no matter how far he flies from his problems or how high he rises above the world.
The second verse, however, speaks more to the cost of this ambition. The singer has won many games, but at what cost? At the cost of his soul, his relationships, his ability to enjoy anything beyond his own one-track mind. His winning has become an addiction, and he's afraid to let go, scared of what he'll discover if he slows down long enough to examine the wreckage in his wake. The third verse is a warning that eventually, that which he has so relentlessly pursued will turn against him, leaving him with nothing but the emptiness of his achievements, an achievement he's not exactly sure was worth it.
Line by Line Meaning
You've got your ticket and your hotel keys
You have all the necessary arrangements made for your travels
And your overnight bag at your feet
You have your belongings with you, ready for your journey
You're looking down on the tropical trees
You have a privileged view from your location
While the Spanish maids pick up the sheets
Others are taking care of the small details for you
Conquistador in search of gold
You are driven by a desire for wealth and conquest
For all the jack-daw reasons
Your motivations are superficial and driven by impulse
The Midas shadow that's so hard to please
You are constantly seeking more and never satisfied with what you have
Follows wherever you go
Your pursuit of wealth and success is a constant companion
Nothing ventured, nothing gained they said
You took risks to achieve your goals
So you played for the winner takes all
You went all in, hoping to achieve a great reward
And tossed the dice high up and craned your head
You were anxious to see the outcome of your gamble
To see how the numbers would fall
You left the outcome of your actions to chance
You stole the game so easily
You succeeded in your endeavor with ease
Your luck ran with the seasons
Your good fortune was fleeting, coming and going without explanation
But still the shadow that the night won't free just
Despite your success, you are still haunted by your constant pursuit of more
Follows wherever you go
Your desire for wealth and power is a shadow that never leaves your side
Another day, another boarding card,
You continue to move from one location to another
As you wait for your seat on the 'plane
You are constantly on the move, never staying in one place for long
The movie runs but you're still working hard
You are always busy, never taking a break from your pursuits
And you don't touch your food or champagne
You are too focused on your goals to stop and enjoy the pleasures of life
I know that when your well runs dry
I predict that someday you will run out of steam
You'll want to know the reason
You will be curious as to why things have changed
The empty night will bring you no reply
Your endless pursuit of success will not bring you satisfaction in the end
As it follows wherever you go.
Your shadow of ambition and greed will always be with you, even when everything else is gone
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALISTAIR IAN STEWART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind