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.
My Ship
Claire Martin Lyrics
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THAT ARE MADE OF SILK
THE DECKS ARE TRIMMED WITH GOLD
AND OF JAM AND SPICE
THERE'S A PARADISE IN THE HOLD
MY SHIPS AGLOW WITH A MILLION PEARLS
AND RUBIES FILL EACH BIN
THE SUN SITS HIGH IN A SAPPHIRE SKY
I CAN WAIT THE YEARS
TILL IT APPEARS
ONE FINE DAY ONE SPRING
BUT THEY PEARLS AND SUCH
THE WON'T MEAN MUCH
IF THERE'S MISSING JUST ONE THING
I DO NOT CARE IF THAT DAY ARRIVES
THAT DREAM NEED NEVER BE
IF THE SHIP I SING
DOESN'T ALSO BRING
MY ONE TRUE LOVE TO ME
In the song "My Ship" by Claire Martin, the lyrics depict a beautifully crafted ship with sails made of silk and decks trimmed with gold, evoking images of luxury and abundance. The mention of jam and spice alludes to the richness and sweetness of life found aboard this fantastical vessel. The idea of a paradise in the hold suggests a hidden treasure or joy waiting to be discovered.
The ship is described as glowing with a million pearls and rubies, further emphasizing the opulence and beauty of this imagined creation. The imagery of a sapphire sky and the sun sitting high in it paint a picture of a perfect day, adding to the idyllic setting. The anticipation of the ship's arrival builds, symbolizing hope and a brighter future once it finally comes in.
Despite the riches and splendor promised by the ship, the lyrics shift to express a deeper longing. The singer acknowledges that material wealth and treasures like pearls and rubies hold little value if one essential element is missing: true love. This sentiment adds a poignant layer to the song, underscoring the idea that love is the most precious treasure of all, far outweighing any material riches.
The final lines of the song reflect a willingness to wait indefinitely for the ship to arrive, as long as it brings not only the promised riches but also the singer's one true love. This heartfelt plea for love and companionship amidst all the grandeur and wealth described in the earlier verses encapsulates the universal desire for a love that transcends material possessions. The song conveys a poignant message about the incomparable worth of love and the emptiness that can persist even in the midst of abundance without it.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ira Gershwin, Kurt Weill
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind