In 2003, after several years singing with various bands, he went on Fame Academy to try and get a solo record deal. He came second, got a recording contract and had two top 20 hits. His debut album charted but got no promotion and he was mostly ignored by the media. He parted company with Universal and his management in 2004 and carried on independently, setting up his own gigs and recording and playing his own material in his own way.
He has written hit singles for other people - Hungry for Love for Di-rect and Angel by my Side for Do. He toured Germany and has co-written songs with Robin Gibb. He has also co-written and recorded songs with members of Ultra, Oasis legends Tony and Chris Griffiths of The Real People and Paul Banks of Shed Seven.
You only get a small flavour of what he is like from his first album which includes some very catchy upbeat songs as well as some very romantic love songs which Alistair himself has described as "a bit slushy".
His second "mini-album" was recorded live during his tour with Robin Gibb and consists of acoustic versions of four of his own songs and a George Michael cover. CDs of his new original material are hard to find and are only available at gigs or through his website. "finding Boethius" (3 tracks) was released in December 2006 and "Alistair Griffin" (4 tracks)in May 2008. He is currently working on his next album.
Previews of his current songs can be heard on his Official Myspace http://www.myspace.com/alistairgriffinonline
Albion Sky
Alistair Griffin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You try to find the truth but the answers lie within
Oh you, you take the ride and you get so high
On this glorious merry go called life
And if you want to I will take you with me
I may be fortunes fool but please forgive me
If I tell you all my secrets tonight
Nothing in my pocket
Living but I′ve already died
Can men, be born again
To be free, we're never free
From the ghost that walk inside of me
And I won′t tell you we can live forever
Why the hell can't we all live together
And I'll tell you all my secrets tonight
As we lay beneath the Albion Sky
Nothing in my pocket
Living but I′ve already died
Can men, be born again
When all the stars are gone
Will you come and lead me on
To the place where love is warm
Until then I′ll ride this storm
And if you want to I will take you with me
I may be fortunes fool but please forgive me
If I tell you all my secrets tonight
As we lay beneath the Albion Sky
Nothing in my pocket
Living but I've already died
And i′ll tell you all my secrets tonigh
As we lay beneath the Albion Sky
Nothing in my pocket
Living but I've already died
Can men, be born again.
The lyrics to Alistair Griffin's song Albion Sky speak to the experience of being swept up by the winds of life and attempting to find one's own truth amidst the chaos. The phrase "the answers lie within" suggests that we already possess the knowledge we need to navigate life's ups and downs. The second verse delves deeper into the theme of death and rebirth, with the question "can men be born again?" implying a desire for renewal and a second chance.
The repeated line "If I tell you all my secrets tonight" suggests a willingness to be vulnerable with another person, to share the innermost parts of oneself. The image of lying beneath the Albion Sky adds a poetic and mystical quality to the song, as if looking up at the night sky provides a sense of comfort and wonder even amidst one's struggles.
The final lines of the song express a longing for unity and acceptance, with the question "why the hell can't we all live together?" hinting at the frustration of societal divisions and a desire for universal understanding and love. Overall, Albion Sky is a contemplative and introspective song that speaks to the complexities of the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
You get blown, By the wind
Life is unpredictable, and sometimes things happen outside of our control.
You try to find the truth but the answers lie within
The answers to life's questions can often be found by looking within ourselves.
Oh you, you take the ride and you get so high
Life is like a rollercoaster, with ups and downs that can be exhilarating.
On this glorious merry go called life
Life is full of ups and downs, like a carnival ride.
And if you want to I will take you with me
The singer is willing to share his experiences with others.
I may be fortunes fool but please forgive me
The singer acknowledges that he may have made mistakes, but hopes for forgiveness.
If I tell you all my secrets tonight
The singer is willing to share intimate thoughts with others.
As we lay beneath the Albion Sky
The singer refers to a picturesque setting to set the stage for introspection.
Nothing in my pocket
The singer has nothing material to offer, apart from emotional honesty.
Living but I’ve already died
The singer feels like he has lost a sense of himself and the world around him.
Can men, be born again
The singer ponders the idea of rebirth and personal growth.
To be free, we're never free
Despite our efforts, we are never truly free from our past and our demons.
From the ghost that walk inside of me
The singer feels haunted by his own past mistakes.
And I won't tell you we can live forever
The singer acknowledges the inevitability of mortality.
Why the hell can't we all live together
The singer wishes for peace and unity among all people, regardless of differences.
When all the stars are gone
The singer refers to a time when things seem bleak and hopeless.
Will you come and lead me on
The singer looks to others for support and guidance during tough times.
To the place where love is warm
The singer desires a place of love and comfort.
Until then I'll ride this storm
The singer will persevere through tough times until he reaches a place of refuge.
Can men, be born again.
The singer repeats this line, emphasizing his hope for growth and change.
Writer(s): Paul Banks
Contributed by David H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.