Brian John Cole (born 17 June 1946, in Enfield, Middlesex, England) is an E… Read Full Bio ↴Brian John Cole (born 17 June 1946, in Enfield, Middlesex, England) is an English pedal steel guitarist. Coming to prominence in the early 1970s with the band Cochise, Cole has played in many styles of music, ranging from mainstream pop and rock, to jazz and eclectic experimental music.

He played with Marc Bolan / T. Rex on their 1974 album Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow, as well as with Elton John on his albums Tumbleweed Connection and Madman Across The Water, specifically on the songs "Country Comfort" and "Tiny Dancer". For a few select appearances in 1998, Cole joined R.E.M. for live performances of the latter's "Daysleeper", "Country Feedback", "Man on the Moon", and a cover of Iggy Pop's "The Passenger", which closed out the band's appearance on Later with Jools Holland. He has also worked with Kevin Ayers, Richard Ashcroft, The Verve, Luke Vibert, Graham Coxon, Roger Waters, Juno Reactor, Rockin Dave Taylor, Depeche Mode, Doll by Doll, Devon Sproule, Björk, Chumbawamba, David Gilmour, Hanson, Ian Siegal, Jah Wobble, The Stranglers, Sting and Brian Joseph Friel. Cole features on the track Then I Close My Eyes on David Gilmour's 2006 album "On An Island". He also appears on The Moody Blues' 1981 album Long Distance Voyager playing on the track "In My World".

Cole also appeared (as 'Manley Footwear') in the Hank Wangford band. When The Verve's lead guitarist Nick McCabe left in the summer of 1998, Cole took over from him for the live dates.

He currently plays once a month at Darbucka World Music Bar in Clerkenwell, London alongside Steve Lawson and other experimental ambient/jazz musicians as part of The Recycle Collective.

Gnossienne No. 5
B.J. Cole Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Swap meetで手に入れた
レザー・スーツに染み付いた
夏のメモリー
Weekendはおきまりの
背中に夕陽浴びながら
Free wayで風になる
ワン・シーズン働いて
やっと手にしたV-TWIN

俺の自慢
オープン・ロードをひたすらに
走り続ける
何処までも地平線の彼方まで
すべての悩みに別れを
風を巻き込み何処まで
出会いと別れ
笑顔でSo long
立ち止まることなんて
出来やしない
Good luck,see you again
飛ばすぜ
道が燃える朝陽に続く限り

MidnightのSpecial car
エンジンの唄に合わせ東へ進む
夜通し走る
寂しさに見上げる星空キラリと
俺の心に微笑む
すべての悩みに別れを
風を巻き込み何処まで
出会いと別れ
笑顔でSo long
立ち止まることなんて
出来やしない
Good luck,see you again

飛ばすぜ
道が燃える朝陽に続く限り

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of B.J. Cole's song "Gnossienne No. 5" paint a picture of a journey, both physically and emotionally. The singer begins by describing a leather suit, a summer memory that has become ingrained within it. They talk about their weekends spent basking in the sunset on their back, becoming one with the wind on the freeway. The lyrics also mention the pride they feel in finally obtaining a V-TWIN motorcycle after working for one season. This motorcycle becomes their pride and joy, as they ride the open road endlessly, chasing the horizon and leaving behind their worries.

The lyrics then transition to a midnight drive, with the singer describing a special car accompanied by the song of the engine as they head east during the night. They drive through the night, gazing at the glittering starry sky as a smile forms within their heart, finding solace in the loneliness. The song emphasizes the idea of parting ways, both with worries and with people, bidding farewell with a smile. The singer expresses their determination to never stop, always pushing forward, fueled by the burning sun on the road.

Line by Line Meaning

Swap meetで手に入れた
I acquired at a swap meet

レザー・スーツに染み付いた
It stained my leather suit

夏のメモリー
A summer memory

Weekendはおきまりの
Weekend is always

背中に夕陽浴びながら
Bathing in the sunset on my back

Free wayで風になる
Becoming the wind on the freeway

ワン・シーズン働いて
After working for one season

やっと手にしたV-TWIN
I finally got my V-TWIN

俺の自慢
It's my pride

オープン・ロードをひたすらに
Unwaveringly on the open road

走り続ける
I keep running