A self-taught musician, Macdonald began by playing her father's guitar after being inspired by Travis at the T in the Park Festival in 2000, where she heard Travis' song "Turn" and wanted to play it herself. She started performing in pubs and coffee houses around Glasgow at the age of 15. She signed a record deal with Vertigo, the same record label which hosts The Killers and Razorlight. Her first single, Poison Prince, was released on May 7, 2007. Her debut album, This Is the Life, was released on July 30, 2007. "Don't Tell Me That It's Over" was released in March 2010 as the lead single from her second studio album, A Curious Thing, which was released on 8 March 2010.
Macdonald's third album, Life in a Beautiful Light, was released on June 11, 2012. The lead single, Slow It Down, is about her being a petrol head.
Barrowland Ballroom
Amy Macdonald Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They're much brighter than anyone
Oh the girls in the queue yes they're waiting for you
Well they're waiting for their song to be sung
And when the night turns to day and all the people go away
It's not the same, tell me who's to blame?
And when the stars shine so bright on the cold December night
I wish that I was on the stage
Oh won't you take a ride with me
Through the Barrowland history
And I'll sing you a song or two
People they may stop and stare but baby I just don't care
It's only me and you
And the drink and dance and drugs you know
It's all part of the show we go to
Maybe I should tell you
That people they may stop and stare but baby I just don't care
Tonight, it's only me and you
Oh nothing beats the feeling of the high Barrowland ceiling
When the band start to play
Won't you buy me a drink and I'll tell her what I think if she gets in my way
And when the night turns to day and all the people go away
It's not the same, tell me who's to blame?
And when the stars shine so bright on the cold December night
I wish that I was on the stage
Oh won't you take a ride with me
Through the Barrowland history
And I'll sing you a song or two
People they may stop and stare but baby I just don't care
It's only me and you
And the drink and dance and drugs you know
It's all part of the show we go to
Maybe I should tell you
That people they may stop and stare but baby I just don't care
Tonight, it's only me and you
And when the night turns to day and the lights they fade away
I wish that love and life would pass me by
And when the band stops a song because there's something going on
Well there is magic in the air I swear
And I wish that I saw Bowie, playing on that stage
I wish that I saw something, to make me come of age
Oh won't you take a ride with me
Through the Barrowland history
And I'll sing you a song or two
People they may stop and stare but baby I just don't care
It's only me and you
And the drink and dance and drugs you know
It's all part of the show we go to
Maybe I should tell you
That people they may stop and stare but baby I just don't care
Tonight, it's only me and you
In "Barrowland Ballroom," Amy Macdonald sings about her experiences at a famed music venue in Glasgow, Scotland. The song is a tribute to the Barrowland Ballroom, a beloved venue where Macdonald has performed numerous times. The opening lines highlight the excitement and vibrancy of the venue, referring to the bright lights outside and the eager fans waiting in line. Macdonald takes the listener through a journey of the venue from the beginning of the night to the end, describing the atmosphere, energy and charm of the place. As the night wears on and the crowds begin to disperse, Macdonald feels melancholic and wishes she could stay on stage longer, playing to the remaining attendees who still crave the music.
Throughout the song, Macdonald recounts the vibrant history and significance of the Barrowland Ballroom, which has been a fixture in Glasgow's music scene for over eighty years. She urges listeners to embrace the experience, drink, dance and enjoy themselves, and to not care too much about what other peopIe think. The song is nostalgic and celebrates the sense of community and intimacy that exists between artist and audience. Macdonald is proud of her roots and acknowledges the importance of the venue to her identity as a musician.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh the lights outside they're as bright as the sun
The lights outside Barrowland Ballroom are very bright
They're much brighter than anyone
They are brighter than anyone or anything else
Oh the girls in the queue yes they're waiting for you
There are girls waiting in a queue, possibly to see the singer
Well they're waiting for their song to be sung
They are waiting to hear the singer perform a specific song
And when the night turns to day and all the people go away
When the night ends and people leave, things change
It's not the same, tell me who's to blame?
Things are different in the daytime and someone may be responsible for this change
And when the stars shine so bright on the cold December night
Stars are shining bright on a cold December night
I wish that I was on the stage
The singer wishes to be on stage performing
Oh won't you take a ride with me
The singer is inviting someone to join them
Through the Barrowland history
The singer wants to take someone on a tour of Barrowland Ballroom's history
And I'll sing you a song or two
The singer will perform a few songs for this person
People they may stop and stare but baby I just don't care
The singer doesn't care if people stare or judge them
It's only me and you
Only the singer and this other person matter
And the drink and dance and drugs you know
Drinking, dancing, and drugs are part of the atmosphere at Barrowland Ballroom
It's all part of the show we go to
These activities are all part of the experience of attending the show at Barrowland Ballroom
Maybe I should tell you
The singer is contemplating sharing something with this other person
And when the night turns to day and the lights they fade away
When the night ends and the lights turn off, it's not as magical
I wish that love and life would pass me by
The singer doesn't want to experience love or life at this moment
And when the band stops a song because there's something going on
If the band stops a song due to something happening, it's significant
Well there is magic in the air I swear
There is a sense of magic present
And I wish that I saw Bowie, playing on that stage
The singer wishes they could have seen Bowie perform on that stage
I wish that I saw something, to make me come of age
The singer wishes they had a significant experience to help them mature
Tonight, it's only me and you
The singer only cares about spending time with this other person tonight
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AMY ELIZABETH MACDONALD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind