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.
Caledonia
Amy Macdonald Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The changes that have come over me
In these - last few days I've been afraid
That I might drift away.
So I've been telling old stories and singing songs
That make me think about where I came from
And that's the reason why I feel
So far away today
And let me tell you that I love you
That I think about you all the time
Caledonia's been calling me
Now I'm going home
And if I should become a stranger
You know that it would make me more than sad
Caledonia's been everything
I've ever had.
Caledonia's been everything
I've ever had....
In the song "Caledonia" by Amy Macdonald, the singer reflects on the changes that have come over her in the last few days, and how they've made her feel disconnected from her roots. She fears that she might drift away, so she tells old stories and sings songs that remind her of where she came from. It is clear that the love for her home, Scotland, is the reason for her feelings of disconnection. She feels the pull of "Caledonia" calling her back home. The chorus brings her love for Scotland across clearly, "Let me tell you that I love you, that I think about you all the time, Caledonia's been calling me, now I'm going home."
The song, "Caledonia" is a tribute to Scotland and Scottish identity, and the love that the singer has for it. The song is known for its emotional depth, and it expresses the feeling of homesickness and nostalgia, which are emotions that are common to many immigrants. The song became popular in the United Kingdom after it was released in 2007, and it received wide airplay, which helped it to achieve commercial success.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know if - you can see
I am unsure if you can see the transformation that has happened to me lately.
The changes that have come over me
I have gone through significant changes recently.
In these - last few days I've been afraid
I have been feeling scared lately.
That I might drift away.
I am afraid that I may lose myself.
So I've been telling old stories and singing songs
To anchor myself, I have been reminiscing and singing nostalgic songs.
That make me think about where I came from
These old stories make me recall my roots and origins.
And that's the reason why I feel
It's because of this that I am currently experiencing
So far away today
a sense of being distant today.
And let me tell you that I love you
I want to express my love for you,
That I think about you all the time
And let you know that you are always on my mind.
Caledonia's been calling me
I am feeling a pull towards going back to Caledonia,
Now I'm going home
So I have decided to go back home.
And if I should become a stranger
If I become unrecognizable,
You know that it would make me more than sad
I want you to know that it would deeply hurt me.
Caledonia's been everything
Caledonia has meant everything to me,
I've ever had.
It has been my everything.
Contributed by Katherine F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@LTBudd
With all due respect, and I think Caledonia is a great song, but my personal opinion would be "Scots Wha Hae".
Written by Robert Burns, the poem goes:
Scots who have with Wallace bled,
Scots whom Bruce has often led,
Welcome to your gory bed,
Or to victory.
Now is the day, and now is the hour:
See the front of battle lower,
See approach proud Edward's power -
Chains and Slavery.
Who will be a traitor knave?
Who will fill a coward's grave?
Who's so base as to be a slave?
Let him turn an flee.
Who, for Scotland's king and law,
Freedom's sword will strongly draw,
Freeman stand or Freeman fall,
Let him on follow me.
By oppression's woes and pains,
By your sons in servile chains!
We will drain our dearest veins,
But they shall be free.
Lay the proud usurpers low,
Tyrants fall in every foe,
Liberty's in every blow,
Let us do or die.
This is, to me, a much more patriotic song. It speaks to the heart, strength of resolve of every Scot. What Scotland means, as well as what independence means to those who desire it.
Independence, Country, Honor, and Blood.
@ianbrown9900
My wee brother just died and I am devastated, he was proudly Scottish as am I and hearing this song is soothing to my soul. I have to believe the wee man is in heaven and, by Christ, it looks just like Scotland, the most beautiful and welcoming country on God's green earth. To Amy and Dougie for such a gift. God Bless both of you! I love Scotland and I was born a Scotsman and will die a Scotsman regardless of us being taken to America!
@BH-fr1cy
I'm sorry for your loss Ian - Im glad you gain something binding and uplifting from what Amy and Dougie sing, and you clearly see their patriotic hearts! This is one key that pulls us together and I hope we begin to realise that once again...it's necessary.
@jimmycricket8170
Ian, Ive had a wee brother that died too. Devastating
You never get over it at best you learn to live with it.
Hope you're doing ok
@lyndabee3801
We just had the funeral for my younger brother yesterday, and we played this song. Absolutely devastating 💚
@markmackintosh3765
I guess you've no got over the loss of your brother but I hope time has taught you how to cope better! I'd say yer brother is with the big man, wherever heaven may be. With his own personal piper and out his window is a majestic sight, the view is looking right up Loch Lomond, water like black glass and Munro hills, just full of Scottish pine trees either side o the Loch!! Sending my thoughts and love fae me one Scotsman tae another ma man! 🏴❤️
@markalexander6517
Caledonia was my father"s favorite song. We would often listen to Caledonia while we shared a dram, sailing the Great Lakes in the USA. He was a proud Scot by birth. Slainte mhath! Thank you Ms. MacDonald for your music.
@FOTOMOTOGP
Scottish, away from my birth place, now residing in England. Still Scottish, and proud. Thanks Amy. xxx
@dow600
Fabulous song from a fabulous artist
@bigbillbob88
Scotlands not just a place, its something that lives in your heart. Defines you ability's to love where others can't see love.
@this0033
I think she sang it with feeling, love this version of it, and don't care what anyone else says about it. Keep it up Amy, we love you.