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.
Twisted Smile
Barry Adamson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They're sharpening knives and prostituting greed
The government has led us to the slaughter
It's England's green unpleasant land indeed
But now the baby needs a tickle on his quilt of furrowed brow
And you know you're just a little off the shores of here and now
Watch you from the window as you're leaving
Think I can arrange a twisted smile
You hide behind the highlights and the grieving
And milk it like it's going out of style
So like the King of good intentions maybe sometime in the spring
And you know you're just a little on the downside of a lying little thing
Everyone is everyone (find me in your tears)
And they say…
I can't make it without a leader
I can't make it without a gun
You sound like a jumped up diamond star healer
Well if you don't go within you go without
And I won't be around to ease your fears and your doubts
Smiling when the twister's in the distance
Breathing in the silence of the night
Heaven hopes you'll make it in an instant
I only hope we make it by tonight
Cos in the hazy light of morning, yes the only way is up
And you know you're just a little on the easy side of all that is enough
EVERYONE IS EVERYONE
The song "Twisted Smile" is a commentary on the current state of affairs in England, particularly the societal and individual problems that come with it. The first verse describes the corruption and greed of those in power, and how they have led the people to "slaughter". The metaphor of England being an "unpleasant land" reinforces the idea that the country's problems are deeply entrenched and that there is little hope for a quick fix.
The second verse speaks more to the individual, as the singer observes someone leaving and contemplates their motivations for hiding behind their facade. The line, "Everyone is everyone," suggests a sense of unity and shared experience, but it is ultimately a bleak view of human nature, where everyone is just masking their true selves. The refrain of "I can't make it without a leader/I can't make it without a gun" highlights the pervasive fear and insecurity that people feel in such a society.
The chorus brings the song back to a more hopeful tone, with the idea that everyone is connected and that there is something universal in the human experience. The line "find me in your tears" is particularly poignant, suggesting that even in moments of despair, there is still a sense of connection to others.
Overall, "Twisted Smile" is a powerful critique of society and human nature. It speaks to the ways in which corruption and insecurity can erode our humanity, but also suggests that there is still hope for connection and empathy.
Line by Line Meaning
Look who's back a preaching on the corner
There's someone preaching on the corner once again.
They're sharpening knives and prostituting greed
People are sharpening knives and benefiting financially from something negative.
The government has led us to the slaughter
The government has put us in a terrible situation.
It's England's green unpleasant land indeed
England is not as pleasant as it appears.
But now the baby needs a tickle on his quilt of furrowed brow
It's time to take care of something that needs attention.
And you know you're just a little off the shores of here and now
You're not fully present in the moment.
Everyone is everyone
We're all essentially the same.
Watch you from the window as you're leaving
I'm watching you leave from the window.
Think I can arrange a twisted smile
I can fake a smile that's not genuine.
You hide behind the highlights and the grieving
You conceal yourself by focusing on the good and the bad times in your life.
And milk it like it's going out of style
You're taking advantage of it like it will never happen again.
So like the King of good intentions maybe sometime in the spring
You have good intentions but you might not follow through on them.
And you know you're just a little on the downside of a lying little thing
You're not trustworthy.
Everyone is everyone (find me in your tears)
We're all connected and find ourselves in difficult situations.
I can't make it without a leader
I need someone to lead me.
I can't make it without a gun
I need a weapon to protect myself.
You sound like a jumped up diamond star healer
You're acting like you're better than everyone else.
Well if you don't go within you go without
If you don't look inside yourself, you won't find what you need.
And I won't be around to ease your fears and your doubts
I won't always be there to help you feel better.
Smiling when the twister's in the distance
You're acting happy when there's trouble on the horizon.
Breathing in the silence of the night
Taking a moment to be still and quiet.
Heaven hopes you'll make it in an instant
I hope everything works out for you quickly.
I only hope we make it by tonight
I hope we survive until the end of the night.
Cos in the hazy light of morning, yes the only way is up
Things will get better in the morning.
And you know you're just a little on the easy side of all that is enough
You're satisfied with the bare minimum.
EVERYONE IS EVERYONE
We're all in this together.
Contributed by Layla C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.