Biography:
Lister started playing guitar at 8 and played his first concert in a bar band at the age of 13. He had learned guitar by playing along to his father's old 45s of Freddie King, John Mayall and Eric Clapton. By the time he was 18, having already been in several bands, he formed his own, which recorded two albums Messin' With The Kid (1996) and Pay Attention! (1997). Three numbers written by Lister, on the second album, attracted the attention of Ruf Records' owner Thomas Ruf. In 1998 they signed a record deal and Lister recorded his first major album, Aynsley Lister, produced by Jim Gaines. The tracks were primarily Lister compositions, and the album featured a guest appearance by Walter Trout. The album led to him touring Europe and working with some of the top current blues players.
While Lister's music is blues based, his own material incorporates contemporary influences with harder rhythms and guitar work, reminiscent of early Eric Clapton. Lister was the only British artist to be featured in Classic Rock's 2007 "Top 10 Contemporary Blues Artists"; alongside The White Stripes, The Black Keys, John Mayer, Jon Spencer, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Joe Bonamassa, Derek Trucks and the North Mississippi Allstars.
After his first album Lister began opening for artists such as Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, John Mayall and contemporaries such as Bryan Adams and Fun Lovin Criminals. Having become better known, he now headlines major festivals in Europe. He has twice played the Heitere Open Air in Switzerland to 12,000 people and in 2006 he played the main stage at The Bayfront Blues Festival, MN. Later that year he was invited to sit in with Delbert McClinton at The Pinedale Blues Festival in Wyoming, where Delbert kept Lister on stage for the whole second half of his show. In May 2009, Lister played to over 16,000 people whilst opening for the legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd on the UK dates of their God and Guns tour, performed a headline slot at Glastonbury in 2010 and during the same year, shared the stage with ZZ Top at the Skånevik Bluesfestival in Norway.
Lister has also recorded with Jesse Davey from the English blues band The Hoax on Everything I Need (2000) and All Or Nothing (2002) both produced by Greg Haver (Manic Street Preachers, Catatonia). Everything I Need was his debut US release in 2006, in preparation for a US tour, and received critical acclaim. Lister's fourth studio album, and his first to only contain original material, was 2007's Upside Down which Lister produced himself.
In June 2008 Lister changed to ARM Management and signed to Manhaton Records in August 2008, releasing Equilibrium in March 2009. Equilibrium was produced by Steve Darrel Smith and features Robbie McIntosh, Paul Beavis and Simon Johnson. Following "Equilibrium", he and his band relocated to the Tower Arts Centre and with the tape rolling, nailed a cracking rendition of their high-octane live set to produce the storming 'Tower Sessions' record, which was released on Manhaton Records in 2010 and consequently voted 'Best Live Album' in the 2011 Blues Matters Writers Poll.
For the tenth album of his career to date, "Home" (2013), Aynsley has flown the nest of being under contract with anyone but himself. "Home" is the debut release for his own label "Straight Talkin' Records," set up in partnership with his fiancée and manager, Stephanie Wildey in the same year.
All along The Watchtower
Aynsley Lister Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said the joker to the thief
There's too much confusion
I can't get no relief
Businessman they drink my wine
Plowman dig my earth
None of them down out along the line,
No reason to get excited
This thief, he kindly spoke
There are many here among us
Who feel that life is but a joke
But you and I, we've been through that
And this is not our fate
So let us not talk falsely now
'Cause you know the, the hour is getting late
All along the watchtower
Princes kept their view
While women came and went
Barefoot servants too
Outside in the cold distance
A wild cat did growl
Two riders were approaching
And the wind began to howl
The lyrics to Aynsley Lister's song "All Along the Watchtower" are layered with meaning and evoke a sense of inevitability and impending doom. The song begins with the joker speaking to the thief, both of whom are looking for a way out of their situation. The joker is frustrated by the confusion around him and seeks relief, but it's not clear what he's looking for. The second verse introduces a businessman and plowman who are using the singer's resources, but not contributing anything in return. The thief interrupts, suggesting that life is a joke to many, but the singer and the thief have been through difficulties before and are ready to face the present.
The chorus, "All along the watchtower," seems to describe a place of power and privilege where princes are watching over their society, while women and servants come and go. The singer is outside of this world, hearing a wild cat growl and sensing that something dangerous is coming closer. The final lines, "Two riders were approaching / And the wind began to howl," suggest that a confrontation is inevitable and the singer is preparing for it. The song is often interpreted as commenting on the cyclical nature of society and the struggle between power and freedom, with the wind symbolizing change and upheaval.
Line by Line Meaning
There must be some way outta here
I am in a difficult situation and I feel trapped, there must be a solution.
Said the joker to the thief
An unlikely pair, who may not normally communicate, are having a conversation.
There's too much confusion
The situation is very unclear and hard to understand.
I can't get no relief
I am unable to find a solution or a way out of my situation.
Businessman they drink my wine
People are taking advantage of me and my resources.
Plowman dig my earth
People are taking advantage of my hard work and efforts.
None of them down out along the line,
As I look back at what has happened, none of these people have provided any real value or assistance.
No one did offer his worth
No one has demonstrated their true value or worth in this situation.
No reason to get excited
There is no need to get worked up over this situation, it is what it is.
This thief, he kindly spoke
The unlikely speaker is offering words of wisdom or advice.
There are many here among us
There are likely others in this situation who feel the same way.
Who feel that life is but a joke
Some people may feel like life is meaningless or not worth taking seriously.
But you and I, we've been through that
The singer and the person being addressed have experienced similar situations in the past.
And this is not our fate
The singer is optimistic that their situation will not end badly.
So let us not talk falsely now
It is important to be honest and genuine in our communication.
'Cause you know the, the hour is getting late
The situation is getting more urgent and requires immediate attention.
All along the watchtower
The artist has been maintaining a careful watch or vigilance over their situation.
Princes kept their view
People in positions of power are keeping an eye on the situation.
While women came and went
People are coming in and out of the situation, possibly without offering much help.
Barefoot servants too
Even people in lower positions are observing and potentially influencing the situation.
Outside in the cold distance
Something or someone is far away, both physically and metaphorically.
A wild cat did growl
There is a sense of danger or unpredictability approaching.
Two riders were approaching
Two people, likely with their own intentions, are headed towards the situation.
And the wind began to howl
The situation is becoming more tense and there is a sense of impending change.
Contributed by Kylie L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.