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.
Without U
Aynsley Lister Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm thinking of you
Of what it might be like
If you were here too
I wonder what you're doing there
And if you're keeping alright
And do you think of me?
And do you think of me?
We lay awake at night
You know sometimes when I feel
You know I feel as though
Though I'm out on my own
As though I've given so much
I've got nothing
I've got nothing to show
You know you're all that's left for me
To tell my na
To tell my troubles to
You know I have the same
Effect upon you
You know I have the same
Effect upon you
Look forward to seeing you
Next time that we
Next time that we meet
You know it may be a couple of months
You know it may be, it may be a couple of weeks
Now I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind me
Talking about you
Are you thinking of me?
I'm thinking of you
Are you thinking of me?
I'm thinking of you
Oh
Are you thinking of me?
I'm thinking of you
Are you thinking of me?
I'm thinking of you
The lyrics of Aynsley Lister's song Without U revolve around the theme of longing and missing someone who is not physically present. The singer is sitting alone and thinking about their significant other, wondering what they might be doing and if they are okay. They also wonder if their significant other thinks of them, and if they too lay awake at night thinking of each other. The singer admits to feeling empty sometimes, like they have given so much and have nothing to show for it. They find solace in the fact that their significant other is the only one left who they can tell their troubles to. The song ends with the singer looking forward to seeing their significant other again, even if it may be a while, and reveals that they cannot stop thinking about them.
Overall, the lyrics of Without U express a sense of vulnerability and yearning for someone who is absent. It is a relatable sentiment that many people can relate to, especially those in long-distance relationships or who have experienced separation from loved ones. The repetition of the question "Are you thinking of me?" serves to highlight the singer's desire for connection and reassurance from their significant other.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm just sitting here thinking
Lost in thought about my longing for you
I'm thinking of you
My mind is occupied with thoughts of you
Of what it might be like
If you were here too
Imagining a world where we are together in the same place
I wonder what you're doing there
And if you're keeping alright
Curious about your current state of being, wishing you well
And do you think of me?
Do you lay awake at night?
Wondering if I cross your mind and cause you to lose sleep
You know sometimes when I feel
You know I feel as though
Though I'm out on my own
As though I've given so much
I've got nothing
I've got nothing to show
Feeling depleted and empty despite my best efforts to succeed without you
You know you're all that's left for me
To tell my na
To tell my troubles to
You are the only one who can understand and comfort me in my struggles
You know I have the same
Effect upon you
Our connection is mutual and powerful
Look forward to seeing you
Next time that we
Next time that we meet
Anticipating our next encounter with excitement
You know it may be a couple of months
You know it may be, it may be a couple of weeks
Acknowledging the potential length of time before we see each other again
Now I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind me
Talking about you
Asking for permission to express my fondness and concern for you
Are you thinking of me?
I'm thinking of you
Expressing our mutual thoughts and feelings of longing for each other
Oh
Are you thinking of me?
I'm thinking of you
A sentimental expression of our strong emotional connection to one another
Contributed by Isaiah T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.