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.
Can't Get Loose
Barry Adamson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
two burning eyes that don't agree,
while in the shades there's someone following my every little movement from the score.
I call a friend who's never there,
too tired for love to tired to get,
while in the shades there's someone ridiculing every little moment I adore.
I fall and fold down on my knees
and ask the god if I can see,
if maybe he or she will call? on me.
The days they pass with no relief,
my head all swollen up with grief,
then something wakens me from sleep.
Can't get loose to using you,
but that's what I am gonna do,
having fun in heaven while you are crucified.
I can't get loose to using you,
but that's what I am gonna do,
watching Lilly's flowers while your hands are tied.
Do you just hear what I just heard
or have I simply gone beserk,
'Cause in the shades there's someone laughing at my musical intentions to be free.
Two burning eyes that don't agree,
one preying hoping desperately,
while in the shades there's someone wallowing in what i know will never happen now.
Yeah
I crash and fall down on my knees
and beg the god that I can see,
if maybe he or she will call on me.
The days just pass with no relief,
my head all swollen up with grief,
then something wakens me from sleep.
Can't get loose to using you,
but that's what I am gonna do,
having fun in heaven while you are crucified.
Can't get loose of loosing you,
but that's what I am gonna do,
watching Lilly's flowers while your hands are tied.
The lyrics to Barry Adamson's song "Can't Get Loose" present a complex and introspective examination of one's inner turmoil and the desire to break free from the constraints that hold them down. The opening lines "I see myself I don't see me, two burning eyes that don't agree," convey a sense of internal conflict, where the persona is struggling to reconcile their two opposing selves. The second verse reveals a feeling of helplessness and frustration, as the persona reaches out to a friend who is not there for them. The lines "The days they pass with no relief, my head all swollen up with grief" paint a picture of a person overwhelmed by sadness and anxiety.
The chorus, "Can't get loose to using you, but that's what I am gonna do, having fun in heaven while you are crucified," is particularly striking. It speaks to the sense of guilt a person can feel when they choose to prioritize their own happiness over the happiness of someone they care about. The line "watching Lilly's flowers while your hands are tied" is a poignant metaphor for this sense of being stuck, unable to move forward or let go.
The song's overall theme seems to be about the internal struggle for personal freedom and the difficulty of breaking free from constraints both internal and external. The song's ambiguous ending leaves the listener with a feeling of uncertainty; the last lines "watching Lilly's flowers while your hands are tied" suggest that the persona has perhaps found a way to cope with their inner turmoil, but at what cost?
Line by Line Meaning
I see myself I don't see me,
I'm not being true to myself, and feel disconnected from who I really am.
two burning eyes that don't agree,
My inner turmoil is causing confusion and conflict within me.
while in the shades there's someone following my every little movement from the score.
I feel like someone is watching and scrutinizing my every move.
I call a friend who's never there,
I reach out to someone I trust, but they're always unavailable.
too tired for love to tired to get,
I'm exhausted and feeling low, with no energy to connect with others.
while in the shades there's someone ridiculing every little moment I adore.
I feel like someone is mocking the things I love and enjoy.
I fall and fold down on my knees
I feel defeated and powerless.
and ask the god if I can see,
I pray for guidance and insight.
if maybe he or she will call? on me.
I hope for a sign from a higher power to help me find my way.
The days they pass with no relief,
Time is moving slowly and I can't find any respite.
my head all swollen up with grief,
I'm consumed by sadness and can't shake it off.
then something wakens me from sleep.
Suddenly, I'm jolted awake and alert.
Can't get loose to using you,
I can't break free from my unhealthy reliance on you.
but that's what I am gonna do,
Despite the difficulty, I'm determined to move on.
having fun in heaven while you are crucified.
I'm finally freeing myself from your toxic influence, while you suffer the consequences of your own behavior.
Watching Lilly's flowers while your hands are tied.
I'm enjoying the beauty of life, while you're powerless to stop it.
Do you just hear what I just heard
I'm questioning my perception of reality.
or have I simply gone beserk,
I'm wondering if I'm losing my mind.
'Cause in the shades there's someone laughing at my musical intentions to be free.
I feel like someone is mocking my attempt to find freedom through music.
one preying hoping desperately,
Someone is waiting and hoping for my downfall.
while in the shades there's someone wallowing in what i know will never happen now.
Someone else is dwelling on failed hopes that I've come to terms with.
I crash and fall down on my knees
I'm overwhelmed and feel defeated again.
and beg the god that I can see,
I plead with a higher power for help.
if maybe he or she will call on me.
I'm hoping for a sign that things will improve.
Can't get loose of loosing you,
It's hard for me to let go of you.
but that's what I am gonna do,
Despite the difficulty, I'm committed to moving on.
watching Lilly's flowers while your hands are tied.
I'm enjoying life without you, while your ability to harm me is limited.
Contributed by Julia B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.