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.
The Sweetest Embrace
Barry Adamson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We've laid it all to waste
One thousand moonlit kisses
can't sweeten this bitter taste
My desire for you is endless
and I'll love you 'till we fall
I just don't want you no more
and that's the sweetest embrace of all
To think we can find happiness
hidden in a kiss
Ah, to think we can find happiness
that's the greatest mistake there is
There is nothing left to cling to babe
There is nothing left to soil
I just don't want you no more
and that's the sweetest embrace of all
Ooohhh where did it begin
When all we did was lose
There's nothin' left to win
The lyrics of Barry Adamson's song "The Sweetest Embrace" explore the idea of a bittersweet ending to a love affair. The singer acknowledges that he and his love have wasted their time together, and no amount of passion or affection can change the bitter taste left in their mouths. He admits that his love for her is endless and that he'll keep loving her until they fall, but he no longer wants her, and that's the sweetest embrace of all. The sweetest moment of their relationship is the realization that they must part ways, and admitting that it's a relief to end it.
The singer goes on to lament the idea that happiness is found through a kiss and that it's the biggest mistake one can make. He acknowledges that there's nothing left for them to cling to anymore and nothing to soil. Perhaps they've been through a lot and have tarnished whatever they once had. They've lost everything, and there's no win in sight. The song offers a melancholy yet empowering message about letting go of something that once felt so sweet.
Line by Line Meaning
Our time is done my love
Our love has run its course
We've laid it all to waste
We've squandered what we had
One thousand moonlit kisses
can't sweeten this bitter taste
Though we've shared countless romantic moments they cannot eradicate this bitter taste
My desire for you is endless
and I'll love you 'till we fall
My yearning for you knows no bounds and I'll cherish you till the end
I just don't want you no more
and that's the sweetest embrace of all
But the truth is, I no longer desire you and that's the ultimate liberation
To think we can find happiness
hidden in a kiss
To believe that true happiness lies in a simple touch
Ah, to think we can find happiness
that's the greatest mistake there is
Oh, to believe that any kind of pure joy is nothing but an illusion
There is nothing left to cling to babe
There is nothing left to soil
Nothing remains of our relationship, baby. There's nothing left to ruin
Ooohhh where did it begin
When all we did was lose
There's nothin' left to win
Oh, where did we go wrong When all our efforts were futile. Nothing is left to gain
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@samirafterone
Our time is done my love
We've laid it all to waste
One thousand moonlit kisses
can't sweeten this bitter taste
My desire for you is endless
and I'll love you 'till we fall
I just don't want you no more
and that's the sweetest embrace of all
To think we can find happiness
hidden in a kiss
Ah, to think we can find happiness
that's the greatest mistake there is
There is nothing left to cling to babe
There is nothing left to soil
I just don't want you no more
and that's the sweetest embrace of all
Ooohhh where did it begin
When all we did was lose
There's nothin' left to win
So lay your weapons down
they serve no purpose in your hands
And if you wanna hold me
then go ahead and hold me
I won't upset your plans
If it's revenge you want
then take it babe
Or you can walk right out the door
I just don't want you anymore
And that's the sweetest embrace of all
Ooohhh where did it begin
When all we did was lose
There's nothin' left to win
It's over babe
And it really is a shame
We are losers you and me babe
In a rigged and crooked game
My desire for you is endless
And I love you most of all
I just don't want you no more
and that's the sweetest embrace of all
@samirafterone
Our time is done my love
We've laid it all to waste
One thousand moonlit kisses
can't sweeten this bitter taste
My desire for you is endless
and I'll love you 'till we fall
I just don't want you no more
and that's the sweetest embrace of all
To think we can find happiness
hidden in a kiss
Ah, to think we can find happiness
that's the greatest mistake there is
There is nothing left to cling to babe
There is nothing left to soil
I just don't want you no more
and that's the sweetest embrace of all
Ooohhh where did it begin
When all we did was lose
There's nothin' left to win
So lay your weapons down
they serve no purpose in your hands
And if you wanna hold me
then go ahead and hold me
I won't upset your plans
If it's revenge you want
then take it babe
Or you can walk right out the door
I just don't want you anymore
And that's the sweetest embrace of all
Ooohhh where did it begin
When all we did was lose
There's nothin' left to win
It's over babe
And it really is a shame
We are losers you and me babe
In a rigged and crooked game
My desire for you is endless
And I love you most of all
I just don't want you no more
and that's the sweetest embrace of all
@stefaniapartini5825
Laura Ciocoiu Grazie per il testo!!
@katelloyd6755
Wow! What a song, what a voice.
@aicy5020
This is brilliant. Heard it the first time on the Acid House movie. Been a fan of him ever since.
@awombat1
Another Nick Cave classic. Great song.
@naturefreak799
This song never gets old!
@sonofsilence
One of my favourite Cave songs.
@pupismile
I love his voice!
@murdenis
I wasn't aware of this song until yesterday, it's brilliant.
@raservesthedinner7620
hey how are you doing after all these years