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.
Cinematic Soul
Barry Adamson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Crazy from the upper cuts and body shots I took as prescribed
I had been held down
Cursing everybody 'til I realized the hands were mine
With my new found eyes
Plugged into the sockets then I wondered into your town
Then I found my girl and it all came together
When the usher said, "two for the front row in the centre?"
Then the lights went down
And the sound began to monkey around
And the screen lit up my mind
And as the characters came alive…
CINEMATIC SOUL!
(Vocal ad lib and shout outs for the band)
Cos when the lights go down
And the sound begins to monkey around
And the screen lights up your mind
And as the characters come alive…
CINEMATIC SOUL!
(One of the King's many offspring enters the room and
wants a slice of this feverish mayhem)
HEY DAD
Er, yes son?
Can I sing along to 'Cinematic Soul?'
Of course you can son, I mean, what is a song if you can't sing along?
So are you ready?
Yeah.
Said, 'are you ready'
YEAH !!
Sing it with me, son
CINEMATIC SOUL!
RIGHT ON
The song "Cinematic Soul" by Barry Adamson describes the experience of going to the movies and escaping reality, temporarily forgetting about the struggles of life. The lyrics start with the singer coming from a difficult situation, possibly a physical fight, and realizing that they were the ones holding themselves down. However, when they found their "girl" and went to the movies, everything fell into place. The excitement builds as the lights go down, and the screen lights up the mind, bringing characters to life through the magic of cinema. The chorus repeats the phrase "Cinematic Soul," a nod to the emotional connection that movies can evoke in their viewers.
The song can be interpreted as a love letter to the movie-going experience, highlighting the importance of escapism and the power of film to transport us to other worlds. It also speaks to the idea of taking ownership of one's own life and moving past difficult situations. Overall, "Cinematic Soul" is an ode to the magic of cinema and its ability to make us feel alive.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I came around
I recovered from the hits and punches taken as medication
Crazy from the upper cuts and body shots I took as prescribed
I felt insane due to the prescribed uppercuts and body shots
I had been held down
I was held back from achieving something
Cursing everybody 'til I realized the hands were mine
I blamed others for my misfortunes until I realized it was my own actions that led to them
With my new found eyes
With my newly acquired perception
Plugged into the sockets then I wondered into your town
I arrived in your town after being grounded by a power source
Then I found my girl and it all came together
Meeting my girlfriend completed me
When the usher said, "two for the front row in the centre?"
The usher offered two tickets for the best seats
Then the lights went down
The lights dimmed
And the sound began to monkey around
The sound became playful
And the screen lit up my mind
The screen inspired my imagination
And as the characters came alive…
The characters on screen became vibrant and real
CINEMATIC SOUL!
The experience of cinema is like a soul-stirring sensation
(Vocal ad lib and shout outs for the band)
Musical improvisation and acknowledgments to the band members
Cos when the lights go down
Because when the lights dim
And the sound begins to monkey around
And the sound becomes playful
And the screen lights up your mind
And the screen inspires your imagination
And as the characters come alive…
And the characters on screen become vibrant and real
CINEMATIC SOUL!
The experience of cinema is like a soul-stirring sensation
(One of the King's many offspring enters the room and
(A son of the King enters the room and
wants a slice of this feverish mayhem)
asks to participate in this frenzied situation)
HEY DAD
Hey, Dad
Er, yes son?
Uh, yes, son?
Can I sing along to 'Cinematic Soul?'
Can I join in singing 'Cinematic Soul?'
Of course you can son, I mean, what is a song if you can't sing along?
Certainly, my son! After all, what is a song if you can't sing along?
So are you ready?
Are you prepared?
Yeah.
Yes.
Said, 'are you ready'
I asked, 'are you prepared?'
YEAH !!
Yes!!
Sing it with me, son
Sing it together with me, my son
CINEMATIC SOUL!
The experience of cinema is like a soul-stirring sensation
RIGHT ON
Absolutely right!
Contributed by Addison N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.