Born James Alan Hull in Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne on 20th February1945, he became a member of the band The Chosen Few alongside keyboard player Mick Gallagher in 1962. He supported himself one year by working as a nurse at a mental hospital while appearing as a folk singer and guitarist in local clubs before helping to form Brethren and Downtown Faction, which evolved into Lindisfarne in 1970. He also released a one-off solo single, "We Can Swing Together", which was re-recorded with the group on their first album, Nicely Out of Tune, and became a regular favourite in their stage performances.
As the group's most prolific songwriter and joint lead vocalist, Hull came to be regarded as its leader. In 1972, dissatisfied with the sound and critical reception of their third album Dingly Dell, he considered leaving the group, but instead he and joint lead vocalist Ray "Jacka" Jackson formed a new six-piece Lindisfarne the following year, leaving the three other original members to form Jack the Lad. He also released a first solo album, Pipedream, in the same year, and published a book of poems, Mocking Horse.
Lindisfarne disbanded in 1975, and Hull released a second solo album, Squire, then formed the short-lived Radiator, which also included drummer Ray Laidlaw of Lindisfarne and Jack the Lad. At the end of 1977 the original line-up of Lindisfarne reformed after a well-received Christmas show at the Newcastle City Hall which was broadcast on local radio. Thereafter he combined his musical career as front man of the group with a solo career. He was also a staunch Labour Party activist.
In 1994, he recorded Back to Basics, a live all-acoustic survey of the best of his songwriting from 1970 onwards. On 17th November 1995 whilst working on a new album, Statues & Liberties, Hull died suddenly of a heart thrombosis, at the age of fifty.
United States of Mind
Alan Hull Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who has a silver lining made by passing time
And I've not just had a smoke, I've not been struck by lightning stroke
I'll let it thunder, let it whistle
Let it blow like hell, I'm not really caring
And my state of mind needs no repairing.
Yesterday was painted grey and I've found out no reliable way
While heads around me turn and twist at situations that don't exist
I'll let it thunder, let it whistle
Let it blow like hell, I'm not really minding
And my state of mind needs no defining.
I'm wandering through a fairy story, lost in love and seeking glory
Listening to the music, children smile
While others with more complex claims, protect themselves against the rain
I'll let it thunder, let it whistle
Let it blow like hell, I'm not really bothered
And my state of mind has finally been discovered.
I'll let it thunder, let it whistle
Let it blow like hell, I'm not really bothered
And my state of mind has finally been discovered.
The lyrics of Alan Hull's song "United States of Mind" are a reflection of one's state of mind and how it affects their outlook on life. The raindrops are described as "liquid diamonds" falling from a cloud with a "silver lining made by passing time", suggesting that even the seemingly negative things in life may have a positive side. The singer declares that regardless of the circumstances, they are not concerned with repairing or defining their state of mind. The lyrics also highlight the singer's ability to see through situations and not get caught up in the complexities of life, as they are "not really caring", "not really minding", and "not really bothered".
The second verse touches on the unpredictability of life and the inability to know what the future may hold. The singer again emphasizes that their state of mind is unaffected by the unknown and that they are "not really minding". The third verse introduces the idea of being lost in a fairy story, lost in love, and seeking glory. The singer acknowledges that some people protect themselves against the rain, but they are "not really bothered" and have finally "discovered" their state of mind.
Overall, the lyrics of "United States of Mind" are a testament to the power of having a positive outlook and remaining unfazed by the turbulence of life.
Line by Line Meaning
The raindrops feel like liquid diamonds, falling from a cloud
The rain feels special and valuable like diamonds, falling from above in a cloud formation.
Who has a silver lining made by passing time
Time has a way of making things better, even when they seem bad at first.
And I've not just had a smoke, I've not been struck by lightning stroke
The singer hasn't just had a quick fix, but also hasn't had a huge shock.
I'll let it thunder, let it whistle
Let it blow like hell, I'm not really caring
The artist is unbothered by the chaos around them and is allowing things to happen without stressing about it.
And my state of mind needs no repairing.
The artist's frame of mind is perfectly fine and doesn't require fixing.
Yesterday was painted grey and I've found out no reliable way
Of knowing what tomorrow's colours might say
The past seems bleak and uncertain, and there's no telling what the future holds.
While heads around me turn and twist at situations that don't exist
People around the singer are getting caught up in imaginary scenarios and stressing unnecessarily.
I'm wandering through a fairy story, lost in love and seeking glory
Listening to the music, children smile
The artist is living in a romanticized world and enjoying the simple joys, like the happiness of children.
While others with more complex claims, protect themselves against the rain
Other people have more complicated issues they're dealing with and are trying to protect themselves from harm.
And my state of mind has finally been discovered.
The artist has found and understands their own state of mind, which is at peace amidst chaos.
I'll let it thunder, let it whistle
Let it blow like hell, I'm not really bothered
And my state of mind has finally been discovered.
Reinforcing the idea that the singer is at peace, despite the world around them being chaotic and unpredictable.
Contributed by Jason T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.