Aged 21, Claire formed a quartet which featured Jim Mullen on guitar and Jonathon Gee on piano. In 1991 Claire signed to the Linn label.
She achieved instant recognition with her debut album "The Waiting Game", which was chosen as one of the Times records of the year. 1994 saw Claire receive the Rising Star award at the British Jazz awards. By 1995 Claire had made three more critically acclaimed albums for Linn Records and made her American debut with four sell-out shows in Washington DC, receiving rave reviews from the Washington Post and The Village Voice.
Later that year Claire won the Best Vocalist Award at the British Jazz Awards and took her group to Ronnie Scott's Club to make her first live album titled "Offbeat".
In 2000 Claire started presenting the jazz magazine show "Jazz Line Up" for BBC Radio 3.
In July 2003 the third BBC Jazz Awards named Claire Vocalist of the Year.
"Talented and hip beyond her years.... the most exciting jazz star to soar to my attention in a decade" Rex Reed - The New York Observer.
Early to Bed
Claire Martin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
EARLY TO RISE
I GREET THE DAWN WHEN I OPEN MY EYES
FRESH AS A DAISY AS SOMEBODY SAID
HOW DO I DO IT?
I'M EARLY TO BED
EARLY TO BED
UP WITH A LARK
YOU CAN GO DISCO AND PAINT THE TOWN RED
I'LL TAKE A RAIN CHECK
I'M EARLY TO BE
USED TO BUNNY HOP AND BOOGIE
CHA CHA AND CHARLSTON
SHIMMY AND SHAKE WITH THE BEST
USED TO TURKEY TROT AND TANGO
MERENGUE AND MAMBO
BUT NOW I NEED MY REST
SO IT'S
EARLY TO BED
EARLY TO RISE
I CAN'T HANG OUT WITH THE REST OF YOU GUYS
AIN'T GOT THE ENERGY
AIN'T GOT THE BREAD
AND I DON'T WANNA WAKE WITH AN ACHE IN MY HEAD
I'VE GOT SWEET DREAMS AND SUNRISE AND BRIGHT EYES INSTEAD
GOT TO GO HOME NOW
I'M GONNA DISCONNECT THE PHONE NOW
I WON'T BE ALONE NOW
I'M EARLY TO BED
The song "Early to Bed" by Claire Martin speaks to the choice of leading a more restrained and healthy lifestyle compared to the typical late-night revelry and partying. The repetition of "Early to bed, early to rise" establishes a routine of starting the day early and refreshed. The singer takes pride in being able to greet the dawn with a sense of rejuvenation, often cited as being "fresh as a daisy." This commitment to an early bedtime is contrasted with the wild and extroverted activities that others engage in during the night.
The lyrics highlight a sense of discipline and self-control as the singer mentions being home before dark despite the lure of disco nights and painting the town red. By choosing to take a rain check on late-night escapades, the singer prioritizes their well-being and rest over momentary pleasure. The references to different dance styles evoke a reminiscence of a more lively past, but the need for rest now takes precedence.
The decision to adopt an early bedtime routine is portrayed as a natural progression in life, where the singer acknowledges the physical limitations that come with aging. The lyrics emphasize the importance of maintaining one's health and energy by choosing rest over excessive socializing. The rejection of the party scene is reaffirmed with the resolve to disconnect from distractions and prioritize personal well-being.
In the closing lines, the singer expresses contentment with their choice to be early to bed, showcasing a sense of peace and fulfillment in their decision. The imagery of sweet dreams, sunrise, and bright eyes paints a picture of a serene and balanced lifestyle that the singer has embraced. By disconnecting from external pressures and obligations, the singer finds solace in their routine and the quiet moments of early bedtime.
Line by Line Meaning
EARLY TO BED
I choose to go to sleep early
EARLY TO RISE
I wake up early in the morning
I GREET THE DAWN WHEN I OPEN MY EYES
I welcome the new day as soon as I wake up
FRESH AS A DAISY AS SOMEBODY SAID
I feel rejuvenated, as someone once put it
HOW DO I DO IT?
How do I manage to do this?
I'M EARLY TO BED
It's because I go to bed early
UP WITH A LARK
I'm awake with the early rising birds
OUT ON A SPREE BUT I'M HOME BEFORE DARK
I may go out for some fun, but I always return home early
YOU CAN GO DISCO AND PAINT THE TOWN RED
You can enjoy a night out dancing and partying
I'LL TAKE A RAIN CHECK
I'll pass on that offer for now
I'M EARLY TO BED
Because I prioritize getting enough rest
USED TO BUNNY HOP AND BOOGIE
I used to enjoy dancing lively styles like the bunny hop and boogie
CHA CHA AND CHARLSTON
I danced the cha-cha and Charleston
SHIMMY AND SHAKE WITH THE BEST
I loved to show off my dancing skills
USED TO TURKEY TROT AND TANGO
I was familiar with the turkey trot and tango
MERENGUE AND MAMBO
I knew how to dance the merengue and mambo
BUT NOW I NEED MY REST
Now, I require enough sleep and relaxation
SO IT'S EARLY TO BED
That's why I choose to sleep early
I CAN'T HANG OUT WITH THE REST OF YOU GUYS
I can't stay out late like the others
AIN'T GOT THE ENERGY
I lack the stamina
AIN'T GOT THE BREAD
I don't have the money
AND I DON'T WANNA WAKE WITH AN ACHE IN MY HEAD
I don't want to wake up with a headache
I'VE GOT SWEET DREAMS AND SUNRISE AND BRIGHT EYES INSTEAD
I prefer having pleasant dreams, watching the sunrise, and feeling refreshed
GOT TO GO HOME NOW
I need to head home now
I'M GONNA DISCONNECT THE PHONE NOW
I plan to turn off my phone
I WON'T BE ALONE NOW
I won't feel lonely
I'M EARLY TO BED
Because I value my early bedtime
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: F.R.Underwood, Richard Rodney Bennett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind