Born and educated in London, Martineau graduated from King's College London with a first class honours degree in English. As a child, she played both the piano and the flute and subsequently developed a passion for songwriting and performing after taking singing lessons.
Martineau was born with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that causes chronic lung and digestive problems for sufferers. Due to her belief that her condition would prevent her from singing, Alice didn't pursue her musical ambitions until after taking singing lessons and learning that her constant coughing had actually strengthened her diaphragm. Despite her worsening health, Alice played live gigs regularly in London until 2001 and was offered record deals by several companies, only to have them withdrawn when executives discovered that she was seriously ill and on the waiting list for a heart, lung and liver transplant.
In 2002, Martineau wrote an article in The Daily Telegraph's Saturday magazine about the wait for a life-saving triple transplant. The next day, her manager approached Sony Music with a demo tape and she was signed to their label in late 2002. Alice completed this debut album quickly as most songs had already been written over the previous three years. Her debut single, "If I Fall", was released on November 11, 2002, with the album Daydreams following a week later on November 18. Tracks on the album were produced by a number of people, including Marius De Vries. A promotional preview CD containing one track from her album and four short previews was also circulated.
Sony had planned to release a second single, "The Right Time" on February 10, 2003, but decided to cancel the release due to Martineau's poor health.
Martineau remained on the waiting list for a triple heart, lung and liver transplant for more than a year and a half, before passing away at home on the morning of 6 March 2003. A documentary about her, The Nine Lives of Alice Martineau, was made by the BBC several months before her death and broadcast shortly after her death.
Inside of You
Alice Martineau Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From above
It's not an ordinary love
I like to feel you
So close to me
I Bet I'm nearer than you'll ever see
And I'm sitting up against the wall
I'll play it safe in case I fall
From yesterday
You're letting me live
Inside of you
You're letting me live
As someone new
I wanted to be
Forever young
You and me
Now I'm forever free
I wanted to learn
From our memories
You're never cold
Though you're not here to hold
And I'm sitting up against the sky
Trying to find a way
Nothing to do but to wonder why
It's not yesterday
You're letting me live
Inside of you
You're letting me live
As someone new
Believe in me 'cos I believe it
Somewhere there is an angel
Watching over your life
Sometimes there is a silence
Somewhere a face in the light
Know this place is where I am
Know this face is of me
Know I'm watching over you
Do you feel it too?
You're letting me live
Inside of you
You're letting me live
As someone new
You're letting me live (somwhere there is an angel)
Watching over you're life (inside of you)
Sometimes there is a silence
Somewhere a face in the light (you're letting me live)
Know this place is where I am
Know this face is of me (inside of you)
Know I'm watching over you (know I'm watching over you)
You're letting me live (somwhere there is an angel)
Watching over you're life (inside of you)
Sometimes there is a silence
Somewhere a face in the light (you're letting me live)
Know this place is where I am
Know this face is of me (inside of you)
Know I'm watching over you (know I'm watching over you)
The song "Inside of You" by Alice Martineau is a melancholic ballad about an unrequited love. The singer is infatuated with someone who doesn't reciprocate their feelings, but they choose to remain close to that person nonetheless. The lyrics convey a sense of longing, a desire to feel loved and acknowledged. The singer watches the object of their affection from afar, trying to find a way to be near them. The chorus expresses the hope that the person will let the singer inside of them, to let them live as someone new. The bridge of the song shifts the perspective to a third-person point of view, where the singer becomes an angel watching over the person they love. The imagery in this section indicates that the singer is aware that their love is not mutual, but they still want to be close to the person.
The lyrics of "Inside of You" touch upon the universal themes of love, longing, and heartbreak. The song's emotional resonance is deepened by the fact that Alice Martineau wrote it while battling cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that affects the lungs and other organs. The song was particularly meaningful for her because it expressed her desire to connect with others and be understood as a person beyond her illness. Sadly, Alice Martineau passed away in 2003 at the age of 30, but her music continues to touch the hearts of many.
Line by Line Meaning
I like to watch you
I enjoy observing you
From above
From a distance
It's not an ordinary love
This love is special
I like to feel you
I desire to be close to you
So close to me
In proximity
I Bet I'm nearer than you'll ever see
I believe that I am closer than you realize
And I'm sitting up against the wall
I am reflecting on my situation
Trying to find a way
I am seeking a solution
I'll play it safe in case I fall
I will take a cautious approach to avoid failure
From yesterday
I am moving on from the past
You're letting me live
You are allowing me to exist
Inside of you
In your thoughts and emotions
You're letting me live
You are giving me life
As someone new
As a different person
I wanted to be
I hoped to become
Forever young
Always youthful
You and me
Together
Now I'm forever free
I am finally liberated
I wanted to learn
I desired knowledge
From our memories
From our shared experiences
You're never cold
You are always warm and caring
Though you're not here to hold
Even in your absence
And I'm sitting up against the sky
I am contemplating the infinite
Nothing to do but to wonder why
I am left with questions
It's not yesterday
It is not the past
Believe in me 'cos I believe it
Have faith in me because I do
Somewhere there is an angel
There is a divine presence
Watching over your life
Protecting and guiding you
Sometimes there is a silence
Occasionally there is quietness
Somewhere a face in the light
A visage in brightness
Know this place is where I am
Understand my location
Know this face is of me
Recognize my identity
Know I'm watching over you
Be aware that I am caring for you
Do you feel it too?
Can you sense it as well?
Contributed by Kaelyn O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Aistė
Gregory Lemarchal's, a young French singer's who also died of cf story brought me here - am amazed by Alice's voice and story too. Those two brave and extraordinary people and their stories can be always shown as examples of courage, love, strength. Hope those two angels rest in peace in the better place now, they both deserve being remembered and spoken of..♥
Linda Allan
Ive just finished reading the story A song for tomorrow , it made me cry and laugh. Such an emotioanl roller coaster of a life, what an extra special young lady she was. The songs are so beautifully written and sung by Alice.
Sarah Eaves
I'm still so in love with this song. I had the album on CD when it first came out. Rest well Alice
Magdaléna Dlábiková
I totally love this song. After I read A song for tomorrow I realised that I have to listen to the songs. I adore her voice. An incredible story of her life. She learns us how to reach our dreams. ❤️❤️ I am from Slovakia and in our country we have to deal with a lot of cases of cancer. But CF occurs here too.
CurreZalFlyers
Was first made aware of this amazing song through actress Jenny Agutter on Tracks of my Years on the Ken Bruce Show in Radio2.
She has connections to Cystic Fibrosis too.
In awe of Alice and this powerful legacy
Bandit Rider
I knew Alice back in 02. What can I say. You had class Alice, a true lady.
Namispond Jamispond
Love this. One of my favourite songs. Heartbreaking to think she was taken so young with so much to live for. Thank you for the music Alice Martineau xxxx
Η Μικρή Βιβλιοφάγος
Absolutely perfect! We love you Alice <3
Gordon Stocks
One of my most cherished tracks from this journey through life. Happy memories whilst this was the soundtrack.
Jane Hawkins
An angel here on earth but for a short while...
To give us hope, love and life as she knew it really was.