Born Graham Barnes in Nottingham England, Alvin Lee took up guitar at the age of thirteen. By the age of fifteen he had formed the group Jaybirds. Following in the footsteps of earlier beat groups such as the Beatles, the Jaybirds played the clubs in Hamburg, Germany to great local acclaim. On returning to London in 1966, the group changed its name to Ten Years After.
Ten Years After scored hits with many albums and became a popular touring band. The band gained note in America after their appearance at Woodstock in 1969.
Lee's guitar work on ‘I’m Going Home’ on the 'Woodstock' album and film remains a standard for many rock guitarists to emulate.
Ten Years After played a mix of rock and blues tinged with jazz. In 1973, Lee left Ten Years After to pursue a solo career.
His first work was a collaborative effort with American gospel singer Mylon LeFevre on an album entitled On The Road To Freedom; other artists on the album included George Harrison, Mick Fleetwood and Steve Winwood. A year later he formed the band Alvin Lee & Company and released a double live album recorded at the Rainbow in London, In Flight.
Lee continued to record albums and play live until his death in 2013, thrilling audiences with his guitar virtuoso and nimble fingered fret work.
Having recorded over twenty albums, some of the key solo works Alvin Lee has recorded are:
1973 On The Road To Feedom
1974 In Flight
1975 Pump Iron
1976 Let it Rock
1978 Rocket Fuel
1979 Ride On
1980 Freefall
1981 RX5
1986 Detroit Diesel
1992 Zoom
1994 I Hear You Rockin
1996 Live In Vienna
2004 In Tennessee
2007 Saguitar
2012 Still On The Road To freedom
Official Website: Alvin Lee
You can also see Alvin Lee & Ten Years After and / or Alvin Lee & Co and / or Ten Years After and or Alvin Lee & Ten Years Later and / or The Alvin Lee Band on Last.fm.
Hear Me Calling
Alvin Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hear me calling, hear me call on you.
If you don't come soon, I'll know your love ain't true.
Hear me calling, hear me calling loud;
Hear me calling, hear me calling loud.
If you don't come soon, I'll be wearin' a shroud.
The lyrics to "Hear Me Calling" by Alvin Lee are speak of a desperate call for love, attention, and companionship. The repetitive chorus of "Hear me calling, hear me call on you" creates a sense of urgency and begging for someone to come to the singer's aid. The lyrics then shift to a warning that if the person doesn't come soon, the singer will know that their love isn't true. This line implies a sense of doubt, distrust, and disappointment that the person isn't coming to the singer's aid.
Throughout the song, the repeated pleading for someone's attention and the warning that their love may not be true, suggests a sense of desperation and uncertainty. The repetition emphasizes the desperation of the singer and their need for companionship. Furthermore, the use of the phrase "wearing a shroud" in the second verse seems to foreshadow a sense of doom and death, suggesting that the singer's desperate pleas for love may consume them to the point of despair.
Overall, Alvin Lee's "Hear Me Calling" paints a picture of a person reaching out for love, attention, and companionship in a time of need, but also acknowledging the possible disappointment that may await them if that love isn't genuine or doesn't arrive soon enough.
Line by Line Meaning
Hear me calling, hear me call on you;
I am desperately trying to get your attention and need your help.
If you don't come soon, I'll know your love ain't true.
Your lack of response will make me question the sincerity of your love and commitment.
Hear me calling, hear me calling loud;
I am raising my voice and making my plea more urgent.
If you don't come soon, I'll be wearin' a shroud.
If you don't respond soon, I will be dead and wearing a burial garment.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ALVIN LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Stephen Lampitt
I’m gonna miss the genius of Alvin Lee,his trade mark sound, & unique blues sound,once known the fastest blues guitar of his time. He was a one off special player….hard to replace,RIP
Jamshead Aziz
The late and great Alvin Lee. Criminally overlooked by snobby music press.
mavjimbo
My favorite TYA song
Fantômas
J'adore ce titre, c'est fin et formidablement joué à la Gibson ES 335 .
Dave Hooper
Alvin Lee was and Is a legend, Ten Years After were awesome
Martin Pauca
“Going home” es un excelente album..es parte de mi colección en vinilo ...🙂
Jurgen Blick
I love that song
mavjimbo
Brilliant
Robert Rindler
This is a most excellent tune
daisy rabbit
Mike Vernon (record producer) on backing vocals.
✨❤️✌️✨