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.
Straight 'til Sunrise
Barry Adamson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think I'll go for a ride
See me, 'cause if I get high
All your assets are mine
What I said went all the way
Into her head like a dagger of misery
The mystery broken and dead
And there's the rub in my eye
Over and over again
I see you saying goodbye
Where'd she go?
I guess we'll never know
I got a feeling she won't be revealing
The sadness that stirs in her soul
Ooh, baby she's done and gone for good
So I'm gonna keep on driving
Straight 'til sunrise
Tempting as it may be
To say that I've turned around
Tell her, as far as I see
There's nothing left but the sound
In my head was every word that was said
Reverberating with consonants baiting me
I wish I had done what I said I would
Ooh, baby she's done and gone for good
So I'm gonna keep on driving
Straight 'til sunrise
Oh, maybe I'll move to Hollywood
Where I'm gonna keep on driving
Straight 'til sunrise
The lyrics of Barry Adamson's song Straight 'til Sunrise are a melancholic account of a person's internal struggles and heartbreak. The opening lines convey that the singer is in a state of despair and is planning to go for a drive to clear his head. He expresses an intention to get high, suggesting that he is using substances to deal with the pain, and that he will take advantage of the woman's "assets" in some way.
The second verse reveals that the singer is stuck and hurting internally. He can't seem to shake off the pain of the failed relationship and is haunted by her goodbye. The lines "where'd she go? I guess we'll never know" indicate that there is no closure to the relationship, and the singer is in limbo.
The final verse talks about the singer's regret concerning his actions in the past. He wishes he had done what he said he would and not hurt the woman. However, it is too late now, and she is "done and gone for good." The singer states that he will keep on driving until sunrise, indicating that he is trying to escape his pain but acknowledges that he may never get rid of it.
Overall, the song's lyrics are an honest portrayal of the agony of heartbreak and losing oneself in the process.
Line by Line Meaning
Midnight, stinking inside
It's midnight and I'm feeling awful inside
I think I'll go for a ride
I choose to drive to get out of here
See me, 'cause if I get high
Look at me, when I'm drugged, I'm powerful
All your assets are mine
I'll take anything you have, it's mine now
What I said went all the way
My words were strong and true
Into her head like a dagger of misery
My words cut her deeply and caused her pain
The mystery broken and dead
The secrecy is over, and everything is out in the open
Tuesday, stuck on a pin
It's Tuesday, but I feel trapped in this moment
And there's the rub in my eye
Something is irritating me, and I can't seem to get rid of it
Over and over again
Repeating in my head constantly
I see you saying goodbye
All I can think about is how you left me
Where'd she go?
I'm not sure where she went
I guess we'll never know
I doubt we'll ever find out what happened to her
I got a feeling she won't be revealing
I suspect that she won't tell us what's in her heart
The sadness that stirs in her soul
She's feeling sad, but keeping it hidden
Ooh, baby she's done and gone for good
She's gone for good, and it's a painful reality
So I'm gonna keep on driving
I'll keep driving to escape my pain
Straight 'til sunrise
I won't stop driving until the sun comes up
Tempting as it may be
Although it might seem like a good idea
To say that I've turned around
To claim that I've changed my mind
Tell her, as far as I see
Let her know that, from my perspective
There's nothing left but the sound
There's nothing between us now except empty noise
In my head was every word that was said
I can't stop replaying everything that was spoken
Reverberating with consonants baiting me
The words echo in my mind, tormenting me
I wish I had done what I said I would
I regret not following through with my promises
Oh, maybe I'll move to Hollywood
Perhaps I'll start fresh in a new place
Where I'm gonna keep on driving
Even there, I'll keep driving to escape
Straight 'til sunrise
I'll keep moving forward until dawn
Contributed by Caleb O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
wowbobwow37
Barry Adamson ascends to the highest level of cool!
Lucina Ward
Must ... be ... one ... of the best ... songs ... ever!
andyinoregon
You got the phrasing just right, Lucina.
James Mason
This is going to be stuck in my head all day...and I'm happy about that!
William Mason
a toe tapping song, glad to hear this stuff is still around and well represented.
RAMLIA1
Love it!!
Piper-Karen Hersh-Cassidy
i agree with the previous comment - barry produces amazing music!
dancebackthesea
correction: This is my favorite wake-up song!
nadiezdha17
Saw him supporting Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds earlier this year - goddamn, he grooves! Snappy dresser, great brass section. Fine... ;-)
dmcfuge
All music should sound like this. This makes me happy!