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.
Everything I Need
Aynsley Lister Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Switch collar everything I need
New shoes, slick hair
Some are saying you can go anywhere
There ain't nothing to stand in front of me
To get me where I wanna be
Cause i've got everything I need
Pretty woman fast car
A fancy watch that tells you where you are
No bills they ain't paid
I got a nice warm place to stay
There ain't nothing to stand in front of me
To get me where I wanna be
Cause i've got everything I need
I've got everything I need
Clear shirt, new jeans
Slick collar everything I need
New shoes, slick hair
Some are saying you can go anywhere
There ain't nothing to stand in front of me
To get me where I wanna be
Cause i've got everything I need
I've got everything I need
Everything I need
Everything I need
The lyrics to Aynsley Lister's song "Everything I Need" speak to the idea that the singer has everything they need in life to be happy and successful. The first verse describes the singer's appearance, with clean clothes, new shoes, and slick hair. The second verse mentions material possessions like a "pretty woman," "fast car," and "fancy watch," but also notes that the bills are paid and the singer has a warm place to stay. The chorus reiterates that there is nothing standing in the way of the singer reaching their goals because they already have everything they need.
However, it is important to note that the song could also be interpreted as a critique of materialism and consumerism. The focus on clothing, expensive items, and societal status symbols could be seen as superficial and empty, suggesting that true happiness cannot be found through material possessions alone. This interpretation is underscored by the repetition of the phrase "I've got everything I need," which could be read as either sincere or sarcastic.
Overall, "Everything I Need" is a song that encourages listeners to reflect on what they truly need in order to be fulfilled, and to recognize the value of non-material things like relationships, experiences, and personal fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
Clean shirt, new jeans
I am dressed in new, clean clothes.
Switch collar everything I need
I have taken the time to perfect my appearance.
New shoes, slick hair
My shoes are new and my hair is styled to perfection.
Some are saying you can go anywhere
People believe that I have the ability to succeed no matter where I go.
There ain't nothing to stand in front of me
There is nothing in my way preventing me from achieving my goals.
To get me where I wanna be
I am determined to reach my desired destination.
Cause i've got everything I need
I am well-equipped to handle whatever comes my way.
Pretty woman fast car
I have a beautiful partner and an impressive vehicle.
A fancy watch that tells you where you are
I have a luxurious timepiece that keeps me on track.
No bills they ain't paid
All of my bills are paid and taken care of.
I got a nice warm place to stay
I have a comfortable and cozy place to call home.
I've got everything I need
I am content with what I have and need nothing more.
Clear shirt, new jeans
I continue to maintain my clean appearance.
Slick collar everything I need
My attention to detail in my appearance remains consistent.
I've got everything I need
Once again, I have all that I require to succeed.
Everything I need
I am self-sufficient and do not require anything else to achieve my goals.
Contributed by Daniel Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Romulo Tristao
Ele é bom.
Rastabl0ndy
snif...he's so freakin' amazing !
Cool Nik
What a tune
fariethesun
Cool music. But I'dont know Aynsley Lister. He is great. Love it... Great song. Hugs from Germany
sonicpe3
Nice licks great tone good song.
Julian Jayme
I swear to god I heard a little bit of ZZ Top quotage. ;). Pretty epic song.
paice87
I know, it is like La Grange :)
kerranz
@paice87 More toward 'Sharp Dressed Man' meets Jet, No? Not that there's anything wrong with that!
Drivay
@brymacbluesband I never stated i know best at all just pointing out what an un-original, un-inspiring effort this song really is and you cannot deny it as its smack bang in ya face. as for assumptions....that jokes on you, I'm English through and through.
Drivay
@brymacbluesband yeh loads wrong with my ears, i just heard within 60 seconds hes blatantly stolen ZZ top lyrics, vocal melody, guitar riff and passing them off as his own... quoted from his own website.. "Aynsley has never been an artist to reheat the music of yesteryear...." "..full of fine songwriting" no reheating music? if you say so.......... fine songwriting........... more like un-inspired half arsed theft? i'd also bet my last dime that you think Joe Bonamassa is a genuine bluesman