Adamson left school and shifted into graphic design attending Stockport Art College[3] but quit shortly after, favouring to venture into the exploding punk rock scene of the late 1970s. He joined ex-Buzzcocks singer Howard Devoto's band Magazine, playing bass guitar, scoring one chart single, "Shot by Both Sides"; in late 1977, he also joined Buzzcocks, as a short-time replacement of Garth Smith. He played on all of Magazine's albums, and contributed to Devoto's solo album and his next band, Luxuria. He also contributed to the studio-based band Visage, playing on the ensemble's first two albums, Visage and The Anvil.
After Magazine broke up, Adamson worked with another ex-Buzzcock, Pete Shelley, before joining Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. He appeared on five of that band's albums: From Her to Eternity; The Firstborn Is Dead; Kicking Against the Pricks; Your Funeral, My Trial; and Tender Prey. After his stint in the band, he went solo, releasing an EP, The Man with the Golden Arm in 1988, and his first solo album, Moss Side Story, the following year, the soundtrack to a non-existent film noir.[4] The album incorporated newscasts and sampled sound effects and featured guest musicians Marcia Schofield (of The Fall), Diamanda Galas, Roland S. Howard, and former colleagues from the Bad Seeds.[4] Adamson's second solo album was the soundtrack to a real film this time - Carl Colpaert's Delusion, and he would go on to provide sountracks for several other films.[4]
Adamson's third album, Soul Murder, was shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize in 1992.[4][5]
His solo work is influenced by John Barry, Elmer Bernstein and Ennio Morricone. Later works have included jazz, electronica, soul, funk, and dub styles.
In 2002, Adamson left his long-term label, Mute Records, and started his own 'production home', Central Control International. In 2006, he released Stranger on the Sofa, first for his Central Control International imprint, to critical acclaim. Back To The Cat, his second album for the label, was released in March 2008.[1]
In 2007 it was announced that Magazine would reform for concerts in 2008. Adamson will be part of this and the same line up that recorded Secondhand Daylight will reform, with the exception of the late John McGeoch. McGeoch will be replaced by Luxuria/Apollo 440 member Noko.
Achieved In The Valley Of Dolls
Barry Adamson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Were you achieved in the valley of dolls
Born from porn we'll weather the storm
Take the little black bull by the sacred horn
Achieved in the valley of dolls
Were you conceived in the valley of dolls
Haven't seen you since
Were your locks shorn in the temple above
Did you lose yourself with a siren of love
Deceived in the valley of dolls
Achieved in the valley of dolls
Believed in the valley of dolls
Conceived in the valley of dolls
Deceived in the valley of dolls
The song "Achieved In The Valley Of Dolls" by Barry Adamson is a deep and introspective exploration of identity and the forces that shape us. The lyrics speak of the "valley of dolls," a metaphorical place that represents the world we live in and the experiences that make us who we are. The lines "Born from porn we'll weather the storm/Take the little black bull by the sacred horn" suggest that we are all shaped by the environment we grow up in, but that we have the power to take control of our lives and overcome the challenges we face.
The refrain "Achieved in the valley of dolls" suggests that the singer has found success and fulfillment in this world, while the lines "Deceived in the valley of dolls" suggest a sense of disillusionment or betrayal. The questions posed in the song - "Were you conceived in the valley of dolls? Haven't seen you since/Were you there at all?" - hint at a sense of disconnection or distance from the people around us, perhaps even a feeling of alienation from ourselves.
Overall, the song seems to be grappling with the complexities of human existence and the struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that can often feel both beautiful and dangerous.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you believe in the valley of dolls
Do you have faith in the make-believe world of artificiality and the superficial
Were you achieved in the valley of dolls
Did you succeed in the fake, artificial world of superficiality
Born from porn we'll weather the storm
Despite the harsh criticism and controversy surrounding your origin, we will persevere through tough times
Take the little black bull by the sacred horn
Seize the opportunity to achieve greatness and take control of your fate
Achieved in the valley of dolls
Succeeded in the fake world of artificiality and superficiality
Were you conceived in the valley of dolls
Were you created in the make-believe world of artificiality and the superficial
Haven't seen you since
Have not seen or heard from you in some time
Were you there at all
Questioning the existence or involvement of someone or something
Were your locks shorn in the temple above
Did you cut off your hair as a sign of devotion to a higher power or cause
Did you lose yourself with a siren of love
Did you become so consumed with or distracted by a seductive love interest that you lost sight of your true self or goals
Deceived in the valley of dolls
Tricked or misled in the world of artificiality and superficiality
Achieved in the valley of dolls
Succeeded in the fake world of artificiality and superficiality
Believed in the valley of dolls
Had faith in the make-believe world of artificiality and the superficial
Conceived in the valley of dolls
Created in the make-believe world of artificiality and the superficial
Deceived in the valley of dolls
Tricked or misled in the world of artificiality and superficiality
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind