He attended the University of Virginia, where he became a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity.[1] While there, he started participating in regular musical jam sessions. In the early 1990s, he formed the Boyd Tinsley Trio, which lasted only a couple of years.
In 1991 Dave Matthews asked him to play violin on the song "Tripping Billies" with his band for their demo tape. Tinsley eventually joined the band, abandoning the Boyd Tinsley Trio, and has remained with them to date.
Tinsley has a small side career of endorsing products including Twix, JanSport, and Tommy Hilfiger.
In 2000, Tinsley made a guest appearance on The Getaway People's second album, Turnpike Diaries.
In 2003, Tinsley released a solo album, True Reflections, featuring the title track he had written over a decade earlier.
On March 20, 2009, Tinsley appeared with former U.S. poet laureate Rita Dove at the Paramount Theater in Charlottesville when she launched her poetry book Sonata Mulattica, about 19th-century violin virtuoso George Bridgetower; Tinsley is mentioned in the first poem in the book, "The Bridgetower". He composed and performed a musical piece for the event, read a poem from the book and discussed his musical life in particular and the role of classically trained African-American musicians in general with Dove.
Boyd Tinsley also was a writer for the short film Faces in the Mirror which was first shown at the Woodstock Film Festival on October 13, 2012. Faces in the Mirror is only available for purchase electronically. Boyd Tinsely continues to support and put on pop-up events nation wide for those interested in seeing the film.
Listen
Boyd Tinsley Lyrics
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And let me in
Can we talk it through
We worked so hard together, it would be a shame
Just the thought of you makes me weep
I don't want to be without you for a minute
I don't want to be without you for a day
Here today
Gone tomorrow
It will never fade
If could feel my sorrow and pain
If you hurt, what would you say
I don't want to be without you for a minute
I don't want to be without you for a day
Cause I want back in out of the rain
Please, listen
And let me in
And can we talk it through
I don't want to be without you for a minute
I don't want to be without you for a day
Cause I want back in out of the rain
The song "Listen" by Boyd Tinsley is a heartfelt plea for reconciliation and communication. The opening lines, "Please listen and let me in, can we talk it through" set the tone for the rest of the song, as Tinsley expresses the pain of being apart from someone he cares about deeply. He notes that they have worked hard together and that it would be a shame to throw it all away just because things have gotten difficult.
Tinsley's emotions are palpable as he sings about weeping at just the thought of this person. He goes on to say that he doesn't want to be without them even for a minute or a day, using rain as a metaphor for the hardships of life that he wants to face together with this person. The repetition of this sentiment serves to reinforce the urgency and sincerity of his desire for reconciliation and to be let back into this person's life.
The bridge of the song features the lines "Here today, gone tomorrow, it will never fade, if you could feel my sorrow and pain, if you hurt, what would you say." This further emphasizes the fragility of relationships and the need to cherish them while they last, as they may not be around forever. Tinsley's vulnerability is on full display here as he opens up about his own pain and asks this person to empathize with him.
Overall, "Listen" is a powerful song that captures the complexities of relationships and the importance of open communication and forgiveness.
Line by Line Meaning
Please, listen
The singer is urging the listener to give their full attention.
And let me in
The singer wants to have a meaningful conversation with the listener.
Can we talk it through
The singer wants to have an open discussion to resolve any issues or conflicts.
We worked so hard together, it would be a shame
The artist values the hard work they have put in and doesn't want it to go to waste.
Just the thought of you makes me weep
The artist is emotional and deeply affected by their relationship with the listener.
I don't want to be without you for a minute
The singer cannot bear the thought of being separated from the listener even for a short while.
I don't want to be without you for a day
The singer wants to be in constant contact with the listener and not have a prolonged period of separation.
Cause I want back in out of the rain
The artist desires to come back to a place of comfort and safety with the listener.
Here today
The present moment.
Gone tomorrow
The fleeting nature of time and how quickly things can change.
It will never fade
The singer's emotions and feelings towards the listener will always remain strong and constant.
If could feel my sorrow and pain
The artist wants the listener to understand their feelings and empathize with them.
If you hurt, what would you say
The singer is curious about how the listener would express their emotions if they were in the singer's position.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ronald Eldon Sexsmith, Don Kerr
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind