Clive Gregson (born Clive James Gregson on 4 January 1955 in Ashton-under-L… Read Full Bio ↴Clive Gregson (born Clive James Gregson on 4 January 1955 in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester) is an English singer/songwriter, musician and record producer. His 70s band Any Trouble signed to Stiff Records after being hailed by the music press as similar to Elvis Costello & The Attractions. They made two well-regarded albums for Stiff and a further two for EMI. Going solo, Gregson worked with Richard Thompson and then started a collaboration with British singer Christine Collister which encompassed work with Thompson, but also five albums as Clive Gregson & Christine Collister, mostly written and produced by Gregson.

After the demise of Gregson & Collister, Gregson relocated to Nashville, but has shuttled across the Atlantic for tie-ups with Boo Hewerdine, Eddi Reader, and Plainsong. He was Nanci Griffith's longtime guitar player, and she recorded Gregson's 'I Love This Town' with Jimmy Buffett, scoring much UK & US airplay. Other Gregson songs have been covered by Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kim Carnes, Fairport Convention, Norma Waterson and Smokie, amongst others.

Any Trouble reformed in 2007 for a reunion album on Stiff, again written by Clive.
2009 sees a 'Best Of Clive Gregson' album released in April. All the catalogue of Clive Gregson & Christine Collister is available via BGO.

Gregson plays Alvarez acoustics and Fender Telecasters.

TATTOO
Clive Gregson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

From holding hands to wedding bands, the signs are there,
From stolen kiss to married bliss, we show we care,
But nothing can beat, nothing can beat, nothing can beat,
Nothing can beat your Tatto, ooh-ooh-ooh...

I've seen "Love & Hate", "Hell Can Wait" and
"Please Cut Here",
I've seen Cupids dart through a broken heart,

& "Mother Dear",
But nothing can beat, (nothing can beat...)
Nothing can beat, (nothing can beat...)
Nothing can beat, nothing can beat...
Nothing can beat, (nothing can beat...)
Nothing can beat, (nothing can beat...)
Nothing can beat,
Nothing can beat your Tatoo, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh...

For your Tatoo is but a single word in a secret place,
And every time I see my name down there,
A smile creeps over my face,

If a mark skin deep your soul can keep from Paradise,
And if tainted skin is a moral sin, you'll play that price,
Cos nothing can beat, (nothing can beat...)
Nothing can beat, (nothing can beat...)
Nothing can beat, nothing can beat...
Nothing can beat, (nothing can beat...)
Nothing can beat, (nothing can beat...)
Nothing can beat,
Nothing can beat your Tattoo, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh...

Nothing can beat your Tattoo, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh...
Tattoo, Tattoo...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Tattoo" by Clive Gregson talk about the permanence and power of tattoos, especially when it comes to expressing love and commitment. The first verse mentions the different stages of a relationship, from holding hands to getting married, and how these are signs that demonstrate affection. However, the chorus emphasizes that nothing can beat having someone's name or symbol tattooed on your skin as a testament of devotion. The second verse talks about various types of tattoos, including those that represent contradictory feelings or relationships, and how even these can't diminish the significance of a person's tattoo. The bridge introduces the idea that a tattoo can be a deeply personal and meaningful choice, and that it can even have spiritual implications or consequences.

Line by Line Meaning

From holding hands to wedding bands, the signs are there,
The symptoms of a loving relationship are all there, from the simple touch to the commitment of marriage.

From stolen kiss to married bliss, we show we care,
Our affection for each other is evident from small signs, such as a secret kiss, to the beauty of our shared joy.

But nothing can beat, nothing can beat, nothing can beat,
Despite all that, there is one thing that surpasses everything else.

Nothing can beat your Tatto, ooh-ooh-ooh...
The one thing that is more meaningful than anything else is your tattoo.

I've seen "Love & Hate", "Hell Can Wait" and "Please Cut Here",
I've seen many tattoos with different messages.

I've seen Cupids dart through a broken heart, & "Mother Dear",
I've even seen tattoos that have been designed to communicate intense emotion, such as heartbreak or love for one's mother.

For your Tatoo is but a single word in a secret place,
Your tattoo is only one word, but it holds a special meaning that nobody else knows about.

And every time I see my name down there, A smile creeps over my face,
When I see my name tattooed on your body, it fills me with joy and happiness.

If a mark skin deep your soul can keep from Paradise,
If your tattoo can keep your soul from going to hell,

And if tainted skin is a moral sin, you'll pay that price,
Then, if having a tattoo is considered a sin, you'll have to pay the price for it.

Cos nothing can beat, (nothing can beat...)
Despite all potential consequences,

Nothing can beat, (nothing can beat...)
nothing can compare to the significance of your tattoo.

Nothing can beat, nothing can beat...
It cannot be surpassed by anything.

Nothing can beat, (nothing can beat...)
Even after considering everything else,

Nothing can beat, (nothing can beat...)
it is still true that nothing can outdo that one special tattoo.

Nothing can beat,
Absolutely nothing can outshine it.

Nothing can beat your Tattoo, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh...
Your tattoo is the most precious thing in the world to me.

Nothing can beat your Tattoo, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh...
There is no question of that.