Christopher Anton Rea (born 4 March 1951) is an English rock and blues sing… Read Full Bio ↴Christopher Anton Rea (born 4 March 1951) is an English rock and blues singer and guitarist from Middlesbrough. A "gravel-voiced guitar stalwart" known for his slide guitar playing, Rea has recorded twenty five solo albums, two of which topped the UK Albums Chart. Described as "rock's ultimate survivor", given his recovery from several bouts of serious illness, Rea was "a major European star by the time he finally cracked the UK Top 10" with his single "The Road to Hell (Part 2)". The album, The Road to Hell (1989), topped the album chart, as did its successor, Auberge (1991). His many hit songs include "I Can Hear Your Heartbeat", "Stainsby Girls", "Josephine", "On the Beach", "Let's Dance", "Driving Home for Christmas", "Working on It", "Tell Me There's a Heaven", "Auberge" and "Julia". He also recorded a duet with Elton John, "If You Were Me". Rea was nominated three times for the Brit Award for Best British Male Artist: in 1988, 1989 and 1990.

He has never toured the United States, where he is best known for the 1978 single "Fool (If You Think It's Over)", which reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart, earning him a Grammy nomination as Best New Artist in 1978. A decade later, "Working On It" topped the Mainstream Rock chart. He has sold more than 40 million records worldwide.

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Rea

Studio albums
Whatever Happened to Benny Santini? (Magnet, 1978)
Deltics (Magnet, 1979)
Tennis (Magnet, 1980)
Chris Rea (Magnet, 1981)
Water Sign (Magnet, 1983)
Wired to the Moon (Magnet, 1984)
Shamrock Diaries (Magnet, 1985)
On the Beach (Magnet, 1986)
Dancing with Strangers (Magnet, 1987)
The Road to Hell (WEA, 1989)
Auberge (EastWest, 1991)
God's Great Banana Skin (EastWest, 1992)
Espresso Logic (EastWest, 1993)
La Passione (soundtrack, EastWest, 1996)
The Blue Cafe (EastWest, 1998)
The Road to Hell: Part 2 (EastWest, 1999)
King of the Beach (EastWest, 2000)
Dancing Down the Stony Road/Stony Road (Jazzee Blue, 2002
Blue Street (Five Guitars) (Jazzee Blue, 2003)
Hofner Blue Notes (Jazzee Blue, 2003)
The Blue Jukebox (Jazzee Blue, 2004)
Blue Guitars (Jazzee Blue, 2005)
The Return of the Fabulous Hofner Bluenotes (Jazzee Blue, 2008)
Santo Spirito Blues (Jazzee Blue, 2011)
Road Songs for Lovers (Jazzee Blue, 2017)
One Fine Day (Rhino, limited release, 2019)

Ain't Going Down This Way
Chris Rea Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I see the morning light - come screaming through my room
I fel the devils eyes - and smell his cold perfume
THere is no mercy here - Ccould not be a darker day
But I ain't going down - I ain't going down this way

Oh I know your face - I've seen it a thousand times
In my darkest dream - I have witnessed every single crime
You think I'm joking - I'm wet with fear

But I've made up my mind today
I ain't going down
I ain't going down this way

Â© Chris Rea & Jazzee Blue/edel

Overall Meaning

In Chris Rea's song Ain't Going Down This Way, the lyrics paint a picture of a person in a dark and fearful place. The morning light that comes screaming through the room is a harsh reminder of the fear that the person is living with. The devil's eyes and cold perfume add to the sense of darkness and danger that is present. The lyrics speak of a day that is as dark as it can be, with no mercy to be found.

Despite the bleakness of the situation, the person singing the song is resolute. They declare that they are not going to go down, not in this way. It is a defiant and brave stance to take in the face of such darkness and danger. The lyrics suggest that the person has seen the face of the devil before, that they have witnessed every single crime in their darkest dream. They are wet with fear, but they have still made up their mind. They will not go down this way.

Overall, the lyrics of Ain't Going Down This Way are a powerful statement of resilience and strength in the face of adversity. They suggest that even in the darkest of times, there is still the possibility of standing firm and refusing to be defeated.

Line by Line Meaning

I see the morning light - come screaming through my room
I am aware of the daylight entering my room in a dramatic manner

I feel the devils eyes - and smell his cold perfume
I am experiencing an ominous presence and detecting a chilling aroma indicative of evil

There is no mercy here - Could not be a darker day
The situation is dire and hopeless, presenting no opportunity for lenience or respite

But I ain't going down - I ain't going down this way
Regardless of the grim circumstances, I am determined not to be defeated by them

Oh I know your face - I've seen it a thousand times
I am familiar with the face of my adversary, as it has haunted me repeatedly

In my darkest dream - I have witnessed every single crime
In my worst nightmares, I have been forced to witness every wrongdoing committed by this individual

You think I'm joking - I'm wet with fear
Despite the potential for the other party to dismiss my resolve, I am genuinely petrified

But I've made up my mind today
Despite the intimidation I am experiencing, I have resolved to take a stand

I ain't going down
I will not be defeated or surrender

I ain't going down this way
I will persevere and triumph over this adversity in a manner of my own choosing

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@gizellearnott9731

3y↑3

Just amazing 🎸🎤❤

@kympridham8267

5y↑5

Just wow he keeps blowing my mind

@daydreambeliever6603

6y↑5

So good....

@gizellearnott9731

2y↑2

Your amazing voice...love it 🎤🎸❤

@SwtTrisha8

5y↑5

Love this what I call the “ Rock-Bottom Blues”. Like hitting rock bottom 💙 blues. Don’t know if that makes sense but this song and everything about is telling how it is!!!
Thanks for sharing this jewel 💎