In a business where image often overshadows substance, Amanda Somerville gives the industry CPR with a breath of sincerity through music that is so real, it's goosebump-inducing. The windows to this songwriter's soul are her songs, which are ambient and groovy, yet extremely radio-friendly. Combining heart and soul with hit song-writing, you're bound to be moved.
Since 2000, Amanda has resided and worked mainly in Germany and the Netherlands . In that time, she has independently sold over 7,000 CDs of her solo work and gainned thousands of fans all over the world. She is currently engaged in both studio and live work in Europe and is exploring options for her latest solo album, "Windows."
Discography
Solo:
-In the Beginning there was... (Debut Album, 2000)
-Blue Nothing (EP, 2000)
-Never Alone (EP, 2003) sold approx. 5,000 copies in Germany .
-Aina: Days of Rising Doom (2003) - wrote concept and all lyrics, co-wrote music, worked as vocalist, vocal coach. Sold approx. 40,000 copies and garnered many new fans world-wide. Included several famous guest musicians such as Glenn Hughes, Sass Jordan, T.M. Stevens.
-Windows (release date unspecified) new solo album currently being finished
New project with own symphonic metal band:
Trillium - Alloy (November 2011)
Other bands & projects:
-HDK - System Overload (due in 2008); co-writer, vocalist, co-producer, engineer
-Avantasia - The Scarecrow (due in 2007); vocalist
-Andre Matos - Time To Be Free (due in 2007); worked as vocalist, engineer
-Epica - The Phantom Agony (2003), We Will Take You With Us (2004), Consign To Oblivion (2005), The Road to Paradiso (due in 2007), The Divine Conspiracy (due in 2007); worked as vocal coach, vocalist, co-writer, engineer, producer
-After Forever - Invisible Circles (2004), Remagine (2005); worked as lyric editor, co-writer, vocal coach, vocalist, producer; After Forever (2007); worked as lyric editor and vocalist.
-Asrai - Touch in the Dark (2004): worked as lyrical editor; Pearls In Dirt (due in 2007); worked as songwriter, vocalist
-Ebony Ark - Decoder (2006); worked as vocalist, producer
-Kamelot - The Black Halo (2005), Ghost Opera (2007); worked as vocalist, lyrical editor
-Phaeno Science Center (2005); commissioned to write and perform song about and for the grand opening of science center by Zaha Hadid, Frank Oppenheimer and Joe Ansel
-Boehringer Ingelheim (2005); commissioned to write 2 jingles for new swine vaccine:)
-Edguy - Hellfire Club (2003), Rocket Ride (2005); worked as vocalist, lyrical editor
-Shaman - Ritual (2002), Reason (2005); worked as vocalist, lyrical editor
-Mob Rules - Hallowed Be Thy Name (2002), Ethnolution A.D. (2006); worked as vocalist
-Luca Turilli (Rhapsody) - Prophet of the Last Eclipse (2002); worked as vocalist
-Virgo - Virgo (2001); worked as vocalist, lyrical editor
-Various other bands (Felony, Reverend Right Time and the First Cousins of Funk, Lunatica, Brainstorm, etc.)
Official Website: www.amandasomerville.com
My Space: www.myspace.com/amandasomervillemusic
Mayday
Amanda Somerville Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Full of metaphors and rhymes
Thought I'd find some refuge on your shores
Didn't think that you would mind
You treat me like I'm a patient
Leave me to my own demise
Cast me out into an eastern wind
Throw me to the raging tides
I've crashed and burned, I guess I'll have to swim
(No signal on the radio)
I bail it out, but water's pouring in
(And I'm yelling in the microphone)
Mayday, mayday... this ship is gonna sink
Baby, baby... now, why you gotta be
So crazy, crazy... won't someone answer me?
Mayday, mayday, baby
Mayday, mayday
Adrift alone on wayward seas
Try to follow in your wake
I know I should get back on course
But it's too dark to navigate
I never saw it coming
Oh, I didn't read the signs
You're a cut and run, I'm on my own
No, you'll never toe the line
No land in sight; won't help me if I swim
(An SOS I'm going down)
No way to fight against these wicked winds
(Still I'm screaming in the microphone)
Mayday, mayday... this ship is gonna sink
Baby, baby... now, why you gotta be
So crazy, crazy... won't someone answer me?
Mayday, mayday, baby
Mayday, mayday
I raise my hands to part the sea
But not even Moses could save me
As I capsize you stand by
And salute me in my futile fight
Here comes a tidal wave to drown me in my sin
(No signal on the radio)
I'm overboard, my future's looking grim
And I'm yelling in the microphone
Mayday, mayday... this ship is gonna sink
Baby, baby... now, why you gotta be
So crazy, crazy... won't someone answer me?
Mayday, mayday, baby
Mayday, mayday
Mayday, mayday, baby
Mayday, mayday
Mayday, mayday
The song "Mayday" by Amanda Somerville is a story of betrayal, a lost relationship, and a plea for help. The singer speaks of setting sail for home, but the journey becomes difficult. There are metaphors and rhymes, but no refuge on the shores of the person they thought would provide comfort in the difficult journey. The singer feels like a patient left to their own demise instead of being cared for by the person they trusted. The situation progressively worsens as the person they relied upon casts them out into the vicious and uncontrollable eastern wind, leaving them to the raging tides.
As the song progresses, the singer is stranded in the middle of the ocean, unable to find land and follow the person they trusted. They experience a tremendous sense of loneliness and helplessness because they have lost their way and can't find their course. The reference to Moses represents the hopelessness of their situation because even a spiritual leader wouldn't be able to save them. The chorus repeats the distress call "Mayday" as a symbol of the desperation of their situation. They plead for some form of answer but feel like they are alone, helpless, and about to sink. The final lines suggest that the person they relied on is watching the chaos, so alone and useless, and won't be able to save them.
Line by Line Meaning
Setting sail, I'm homeward bound
Starting a journey back home.
Full of metaphors and rhymes
Feeling creative and poetic.
Thought I'd find some refuge on your shores
Believing someone would provide comfort and safety.
Didn't think that you would mind
Thinking it was ok to rely on someone.
You treat me like I'm a patient
Feeling like someone is treating you as if you're sick or helpless.
Leave me to my own demise
Abandoned and left to suffer on your own.
Cast me out into an eastern wind
Thrown away to face harsh conditions.
Throw me to the raging tides
Abandoned in the midst of danger and turmoil.
I've crashed and burned, I guess I'll have to swim
Having no other option than to keep going despite hardship.
(No signal on the radio)
Unable to get help or support.
I bail it out, but water's pouring in
Trying to make things better, but unable to stop the worsening situation.
(And I'm yelling in the microphone)
Desperately calling out for help.
Mayday, mayday... this ship is gonna sink
Calling for immediate help to avoid complete disaster.
Baby, baby... now, why you gotta be
Asking why someone is acting a certain negative way.
So crazy, crazy... won't someone answer me?
Feeling hopeless and frustrated, begging for assistance.
Adrift alone on wayward seas
Feeling lost and directionless in life.
Try to follow in your wake
Attempting to keep up with someone or something successful.
I know I should get back on course
Realizing the need to make positive changes to get back on track.
But it's too dark to navigate
Unable to see any clear path or solution.
I never saw it coming
Being caught off guard by a negative situation.
Oh, I didn't read the signs
Missing obvious warnings or signals that something bad was coming.
You're a cut and run, I'm on my own
Someone who left quickly and left you alone in a tough situation.
No, you'll never toe the line
Knowing someone will never adhere to established rules or expectations.
No land in sight; won't help me if I swim
Being too far gone to receive assistance.
(An SOS I'm going down)
Sending out an emergency signal before things get worse.
No way to fight against these wicked winds
Feeling helpless against strong forces working against you.
(Still I'm screaming in the microphone)
Continuing to ask for help despite feeling ignored.
I raise my hands to part the sea
Wishing to perform a miraculous act of salvation.
But not even Moses could save me
Feeling too far gone for even a divine intervention.
As I capsize you stand by
Being abandoned by someone during a difficult time.
And salute me in my futile fight
Mocking someone who is struggling and failing despite their best efforts.
Here comes a tidal wave to drown me in my sin
The culmination of negative consequences and wrongdoing.
I'm overboard, my future's looking grim
Feeling completely hopeless, with no chance of recovery.
Mayday, mayday... this ship is gonna sink
Asking for anything that can help avoid total destruction.
Baby, baby... now, why you gotta be
Wondering why someone cannot be helpful or supportive.
So crazy, crazy... won't someone answer me?
Begging for any kind of assistance, even if it seems unrealistic.
Mayday, mayday, baby
Pleading for immediate help and support.
Mayday, mayday
Calling for help with an urgent situation.
Mayday, mayday, baby
Being in a critical situation, needing help and support immediately.
Mayday, mayday
Being in a dire situation, in need of immediate assistance.
Contributed by Sadie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.