Ben Wilkins Biography
Ben Wilkins Biography
Born and raised in Ontario, Ben Wilkins moved to Montreal, Quebec, at the age of eighteen, to study music at McGill University. He majored in Classical Trumpet and soaked up whatever he could regarding composition, arranging, singing, theory and jazz harmony – spending countless nights sneaking into the piano studios after hours to write songs. Upon graduation, Wilkins received a scholarship to study Mandarin in China, and spent the better part of a year at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and the Beijing Language and Culture University. Upon his return to Montreal, speaking fluent Mandarin, he began to perform locally and in college and club shows in the north-eastern U.S.A.
At around the same time he was approached by Pascal Shefteshy, an acclaimed engineer and producer working for Pierre Marchand (Sarah McLachlan, Rufus Wainwright) to record an album. They began working on Ben’s debut album, and just as their limited budget was running out, Pierre Marchand announced that he was going to India for three months. As an act of faith in Ben’s abilities, Marchand left the door to his studio open to Wilkins and Shefteshy, putting them in the position to record an album without compromise.
Aside from working on his own album, Wilkins has not sat idle: he recently answered James Di Salvio’s call to write string and brass arrangements on The Garden, Bran Van 3000’s fourth album. Ben also lends his vocal talents to a track on this album, singing lead vocals on This Day.
In February 2011, "Back Of My Head", the first single from Ben’s upcoming album, attained a BDS Top 50 position after only a few weeks of promotions and stayed on the Charts for over twenty weeks. The second single, "Through To You" was launched to radio in September, and the video of the song has been added to Musimax repertoire. Ben has been invited to play live on the air on Musimax on Oct. 17, 2011.
Ben Wilkin’s self-titled debut album on Milagro Records will be in Stores across Canada on October 18th, 2011.
Please visit Ben’s facebook fan page for show dates & current happenings.
The Album
Despite living in Montreal in the middle of an Indie Rock renaissance, Wilkins created an album that is transparent, warm and reminiscent of the music of the early 70’s. Complementing his clear tenor vocals, the album is intricately orchestrated with strings, brass, winds, orchestral percussion, and a small choir: 24 musicians in all. For one particular session, Wilkins recorded 13 pianos simultaneously ringing in sympathy with one another.
Of the album, author Stephan Lahens writes, “There is an undeniable maturity, an effortless lushness to his compositions and lyrics; one barely notices their complexity, which is a sign of quality. Delectable sounds simply flow in and change your world for the better. Wilkins' work is a relevant, fresh addition to the world of inspired pop music.”
Dee Perry, of WCPN NPR in Cleveland, says, “In the course of one song, he takes you from light to dark emotions and lingers on the pastels in-between.”
Montreal Journalist Claudio Pinto writes, “From his influences, Wilkins draws only the best, that is to say the lyrical aspects and the arrangements, which are in perfect self-restraint.”
opening
Ben Wilkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One last lap from this little hand
And I'm putting on my very best shirt
Though I'm not sure which way I want this to go
And as I set the table
To you I am invisible
So much has happened since then
Would you take me back again?
You know I love to pretend
After years of holding it in
Oh just to let it out now
Are you listening?
The lyrics to Ben Wilkins' song "Opening" describe a sense of urgency and anticipation, as the singer prepares for an important event. The opening line, "Now I feel the urgency," suggests that time is of the essence, and there is a need to act quickly. The following line, "One last lap from this little hand," refers to the hand of a clock, indicating that the event is imminent. The singer is getting dressed up in their "very best shirt," but they are unsure of what they want to happen next.
As the singer sets the table, they feel invisible to the other person, suggesting a sense of isolation or disconnect. The lyrics then shift to a reflection on the past, with the singer asking if they can go back to last summer and be with the other person again. They admit to "loving to pretend," indicating that they may be living in a fantasy or romanticizing the past. Finally, the lyrics reveal that the singer has been holding something in for years and now wants to let it out, asking "Are you listening?" This line suggests a desire for the other person to hear and understand their true feelings.
Overall, "Opening" captures a sense of longing and uncertainty, with the singer questioning what they want and trying to connect with someone who seems out of reach.
Line by Line Meaning
Now I feel the urgency
I am currently feeling a dire need to act.
One last lap from this little hand
I have a limited amount of time left to complete something.
And I'm putting on my very best shirt
I am making an effort to present my best self in this situation.
Though I'm not sure which way I want this to go
I am unsure of what outcome I desire from this situation.
And as I set the table
I am preparing for an event or activity.
To you I am invisible
You are not acknowledging or recognizing me.
Let's go back to last summer
I suggest we revisit a past event or memory.
So much has happened since then
A lot has occurred between the past event and the present moment.
Would you take me back again?
Do you want to revisit the past event with me?
You know I love to pretend
I enjoy imagining or creating fictional scenarios in my mind.
After years of holding it in
I have been keeping a secret or suppressing an emotion for many years.
Oh just to let it out now
I feel a strong need to express my repressed emotion or reveal my secret.
Are you listening?
I am requesting your attention and attentiveness to what I am saying or expressing.
Writer(s): Sigmund Romberg, Oscar Hammerstein Ii
Contributed by Charlie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.