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.
L.A.
Amy Macdonald Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nothing he did would ever get in my way
But there's still a long, long way to go
I've only ever seen his face on film,
I've only ever heard the lines he'd say
But still they won't, get in my way
I'm always told to be the dreamer kind
Never let them bring me down
Never let them tear me down
I always thought that I would follow you
Every place and everything you do
But I'm happy to be by myself
I don't need no-one else
He's never ever seen my face before
I'm trying hard cos this I can't ignore
But there's still a long, long way to go
I'm always told to be the dreamer kind
Wake up one morning and your dreams are life
Never let them bring me down
Never let them tear me down
I always thought that I would follow you
Every place and everything you do
But I'm happy to be by myself
I don't need no-one else
All my dreams are built around your face and this place
All the times I'm staring at the sun, you're the one
All my dreams are built around your face and this place
All the times I'm staring at the sun, you're the one
I'm always told to be the dreamer kind
Wake up one morning and your dreams are life
Never let them bring me down
Never let them tear me down
I always thought that I would follow you
Every place and everything you do
But I'm happy to be by myself
I don't need no-one else
I'm always told to be the dreamer kind
Wake up one morning and your dreams are life
Never let them bring me down
Never let them tear me down
I always thought that I would follow you
Every place and everything you do
But I'm happy to be by myself
I don't need no-one else
The lyrics to Amy Macdonald's song L.A. talk about a boy named J who the singer has only seen on film and heard the lines he says, but she still dreams about him. The song is about chasing your dreams and never letting anyone bring you down. The singer is always told to be the dreamer kind, to wake up one morning and make her dreams come true. However, she comes to the realization that she doesn't need anyone else to achieve her dreams, and she's happy to be by herself.
The story of J seems to represent the singer's aspirations to achieve success in Los Angeles. She's drawn to the city of dreams and everything it represents, and she's willing to go the distance to achieve her goals. However, she's also aware that there's a long way to go and that the journey won't be easy. The lyrics encourage listeners to keep dreaming and to never forget that they're capable of achieving anything they set their minds to.
Overall, the message of the song is one of empowerment and self-belief. It's a reminder that we're all capable of achieving our dreams if we stay focused and remain true to ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh here's a story bout a boy named J.
This is a story about a boy named J.
Nothing he did would ever get in my way
None of J's actions would deter me.
But there's still a long, long way to go
However, there is still a long journey ahead.
I've only ever seen his face on film,
I have only seen J's face in movies.
I've only ever heard the lines he'd say
I have only heard J's scripted lines.
But still they won't, get in my way
Nevertheless, they won't interfere.
I'm always told to be the dreamer kind
People advise me to be a dreamer.
Wake up one morning and your dreams are life
Wake up one day and make your dreams a reality.
Never let them bring me down
Never let others discourage me.
Never let them tear me down
Never let others break my spirit.
I always thought that I would follow you
I always imagined I would follow J.
Every place and everything you do
Follow J's every move and location.
But I'm happy to be by myself
However, I am content being alone.
I don't need no-one else
I don't need anyone else.
He's never ever seen my face before
J has never seen my face.
I'm trying hard cos this I can't ignore
I am making an effort because I can't ignore this situation.
All my dreams are built around your face and this place
All my dreams revolve around J's face and this location.
All the times I'm staring at the sun, you're the one
Whenever I look at the sun, J is on my mind.
I'm always told to be the dreamer kind
People still advise me to be a dreamer.
Wake up one morning and your dreams are life
Wake up one day and make your dreams a reality.
Never let them bring me down
Never let others discourage me.
Never let them tear me down
Never let others break my spirit.
I always thought that I would follow you
I always imagined I would follow J.
Every place and everything you do
Follow J's every move and location.
But I'm happy to be by myself
However, I am content being alone.
I don't need no-one else
I don't need anyone else.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AMY ELIZABETH MACDONALD, PETER GEOFFREY WILKINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@GG-mh9of
Oh here's a story bout a boy named J.
Nothing he did would ever get in my way
But there's still a long, long way to go
I've only ever seen his face on film,
I've only ever heard the lines he'd say
But still they won't, get in my way
I'm always told to be the dreamer kind
Wake up one morning and your dreams are life
Never let them bring me down
Never let them tear me down
I always thought that I would follow you
Every place and everything you do
But I'm happy to be by myself
I don't need no-one else
He's never ever seen my face before
I'm trying hard cos this I can't ignore
But there's still a long, long way to go
I'm always told to be the dreamer kind
Wake up one morning and your dreams are life
Never let them bring me down
Never let them tear me down
I always thought that I would follow you
Every place and everything you do
But I'm happy to be by myself
I don't need no-one else
All my dreams are built around your face and this place
All the times I'm staring at the sun, you're the one
All my dreams are built around your face and this place
All the times I'm staring at the sun, you're the one
I'm always told to be the dreamer kind
Wake up one morning and your dreams are life
Never let them bring me down
Never let them tear me down
I always thought that I would follow you
Every place and everything you do
But I'm happy to be by myself
I don't need no-one else
I'm always told to be the dreamer kind
Wake up one morning and your dreams are life
Never let them bring me down
Never let them tear me down
I always thought that I would follow you
Every place and everything you do
But I'm happy to be by myself
I don't need no-one else
@jacquelinecervantes4703
LYRICS
Oh here's a story bout a boy named J.
Nothing he did would ever get in my way
But there's still a long, long way to go
I've only ever seen his face on film,
I've only ever heard the lines he'd say
But still they won't, get in my way
I'm always told to be the dreamer kind
Wake up one morning and your dreams are life
Never let them bring me down
Never let them tear me down
I always thought that I would follow you
Every place and everything you do
But I'm happy to be by myself
I don't need no-one else
He's never ever seen my face before
I'm trying hard cos this I can't ignore
But there's still a long, long way to go
I'm always told to be the dreamer kind
Wake up one morning and your dreams are life
Never let them bring me down
Never let them tear me down
I always thought that I would follow you
Every place and everything you do
But I'm happy to be by myself
I don't need no-one else
All my dreams are built around your face and this place
All the times I'm staring at the sun, you're the one
All my dreams are built around your face and this place
All the times I'm staring at the sun, you're the one
I'm always told to be the dreamer kind
Wake up one morning and your dreams are life
Never let them bring me down
Never let them tear me down
I always thought that I would follow you
Every place and everything you do
But I'm happy to be by myself
I don't need no-one else
I'm always told to be the dreamer kind
Wake up one morning and your dreams are life
Never let them bring me down
Never let them tear me down
I always thought that I would follow you
Every place and everything you do
But I'm happy to be by myself
I don't need no-one else
@DistantDreamer93
"All my dreams are built around your face, and this place..." I love that line. Actually, I love this song. Its just brilliant. So inspirational, full of hope... At first I dismissed it but now that I can identify with it I adore it. Amy MacDonald is fantastic.
@Ogrecrusher
When I was a student I used to do a lot of part time work in music promo, handing out flyers, collecting emails for mailing lists etc. Amy is the only person who ever actively sought me out to say thanks. Not like I was doing it for free, but she still was appreciative. Class lady.
@kevinandrews1422
Fun fact: This song is about Jake Gyllenhaal. She had a huge crush on him. She openly said it:
"but it was the slow version,’ says Amy, ‘the one from Donnie Darko. It wasn’t a single yet, and I never imagined it was gonna be the Christmas Number One. I just loved Jake Gyllenhaal. He’s just the most beautiful thing that’s ever been created.’ Clearly not above a little star-worship herself, Amy later wrote a song about the actor, called LA. It took her five minutes. She’s that into him (and she’s that gifted"
Even the lyrics are pretty convincing
"Oh here's a story bout a boy named J."
"I've only ever seen his face on film"
@diesolli
One of my favourite songs for all time. Thank you, Amy 😍
@3damnthis
She has such a heartwarming smile! So much elegance, and so effortlessly!
@elainehudson2137
Anyone love how she has such a natural voice and loves herself as who she is? She is such an inspiration to me😍
@stevies5
THE most beautiful eyes and smile ever. :) What a tune!
@PreJudgment06
We miss that spirit
@davysacault6242
I love this sooong ! Amy Macdonald you're the best !
@parachute1717
This helped get me through one of my most lonely time four years ago. And it also subtly described how i felt about a boy I like... Although we still not made it... well...this song can always help recall those feelings, those days and that special place we once stood together.. About life about love..I believe I'm getting better hope you are too .. (heart) And most of all, thank you dear Amy. love you ps. i'm a Taiwanese ps2. i love Spark as well ! !