In 1995, she released her first solo album, "Live". She soon after joined a 'supergroup' of female British musicians, Daphne's Flight, and released an album with them in 1996. She has since released five more albums plus two live albums and a dvd available from her website (www.christinecollister.com) and continues to tour both solo and with the Dave Kelly/Christine Collister band. She still guests periodically with Richard Thompson.
Broken Bicycles
Christine Collister Lyrics
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With rusted handle bars, out in the rain
Somebody must have an orphanage for
All these things that nobody wants any more
September's reminding July
It's time to be saying goodbye
Summer is gone, but our love will remain
Like old broken bicycles out in the rain
Broken bicycles, don't tell my folks
There's all those playing cards pinned to the spokes
Laid down like skeletons out on the lawn
The wheels won't turn when the other has gone
The seasons can turn on a dime
Somehow I forget every time
For all the things that you've given me will always stay
Broken, but I'll never throw them away
In Christine Collister's Broken Bicycles, the singer tells the story of discarded and broken bicycles with old busted chains, rusty handlebars, and playing cards pinned to their spokes. These outdated and worn-out items are left out in the rain, forgotten and unwanted by their owners. The lyrics question why nobody wants these bicycles and how there must be an orphanage for things that nobody wants anymore. The singer draws a parallel between the broken bicycles and the end of summer, reminding us that everything has a lifespan and, eventually, comes to an end.
The chorus is a poignant reminder that just because something is broken or old, it doesn't mean it has lost its value. In the same way, the love between two people may change, but it will remain despite the changing seasons of life. The singer acknowledges that the things that have been given to her are broken, but they are still meaningful to her, and she will never throw them away.
One of the most interesting things about Broken Bicycles is that it was written by Tom Waits, a legendary American singer-songwriter, and composer. Waits is known for his distinctive almost gravelly voice and avant-garde musical style. Another fascinating fact about the song is that it was originally recorded for his 1982 album, One from the Heart, a soundtrack for an American musical film of the same name. The song was later covered by several artists, including Dion, Tears for Fears, and Joe Cocker.
Line by Line Meaning
Broken bicycles, old busted chains
The bicycles are broken and useless, with their rusty chains and handlebars.
With rusted handle bars, out in the rain
The bicycles are abandoned in the rain, and the handlebars, like the chains, have gone rusted.
Somebody must have an orphanage for
There should be a place for these unwanted things where they can be looked after and taken care of.
All these things that nobody wants any more
People discard objects that are no longer of use to them, but they still have something valuable to offer.
September's reminding July
The arrival of September reminds us of July, a month that was warm and happy and is now gone.
It's time to be saying goodbye
It's time to say farewell to the past and the things that used to matter.
Summer is gone, but our love will remain
Even though summer has ended, their love will remain, like the old broken bicycles that are still there, though no longer functioning.
Broken bicycles, don't tell my folks
The artist wants to keep their broken bicycles out of sight from their parents, perhaps out of guilt or shame.
There's all those playing cards pinned to the spokes
The wheels of the broken bicycles have cards pinned to their spokes, which may have been for decoration, or to make them sound like they were motorbikes.
Laid down like skeletons out on the lawn
The bicycles are laid on the lawn like skeletons, perhaps as a reminder of something dead and gone.
The wheels won't turn when the other has gone
The bicycles can only move when both of their wheels work together. If one of them is broken, the whole thing fails.
The seasons can turn on a dime
The seasons can change very quickly and unpredictably, just like the things that fall in and out of fashion or favor.
Somehow I forget every time
For some reason, the singer keeps forgetting how fast things can change and how easily they can be lost or left behind.
For all the things that you've given me will always stay
The things that have been given to the singer, even if they are broken or no longer useful, will always stay with them as a reminder of the good times they've had.
Broken, but I'll never throw them away
Even if the bicycles and other things are broken and useless, the singer will never throw them away, because they have sentimental value and are a part of their past.
Contributed by Eli L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.