James was only 18-years old when he captured the attention of guitar legend Stevie Ray Vaughan, who marveled at this prodigious guitar talent, and immediately decided to take him on the road through the Canadian prairies, and later the United States. It wasn't long after that the young musician began opening for the likes of John Lee Hooker, ZZ Top, Steve Winwood and Keith Richards, Colin's 1988 self-titled debut Colin James was the fastest-selling album in Canadian music history featuring the smash hits "Why'd You Lie?”, “Voodoo Thing” and “Five Long Years". It featured a team of three top producers, including Tom Dowd (Eric Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers), Danny Kortchmar (Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Stevie Nicks, Neil Young) and Bob Rock (Jann Arden, Michael Bublé, Bush, The Cult, Loverboy, Sarah McLachlan, Metallica).
James followed up his record-breaking debut with a strong 1990 release, Sudden Stop, which was produced by Joe Hardy (.38 Special, Steve Earle, The Jeff Healey Band, ZZ Top ). This release has two top forty radio hits: "Just Came Back" and, "Keep On Loving Me Baby", and features Bonnie Raitt singing backing vocals on "Give It Up". This sophomore album further helped established Colin's integrity as an artist to lookout for.
James formed The Little Big Band in early 1990's and would eventually release a trilogy of CDs fronting this 1930's-50's style punchy horn section band, playing classics and originals featuring his stellar guitar fills and confident vocals. The first Colin James and The Little Big Band was released in 1993, and it was produced by Chris Kinsley (The Cult, Duran Duran, Psychedelic Furs, The Rolling Stones). The second Colin James and The Little Big Band II was released in 1998 on Warner Music, while the third, Colin James & The Little Big Band 3 was distributed on Maple Music in Canada and Universal Music Group globally in 2006, and he would eventually do a fourth with the band, a holiday album Colin James & The Little Big Band Christmas.
In 2008 he took home three Maple Blues Awards (Toronto Blues Society), which included Entertainer of the Year, while his release Limelight also went gold in Canada.
James released his twelfth album Rooftops and Satellites on October 6th, 2009, and it was a return to his guitar Blues-Rock roots. The album was primarily co-written by Tom Wilson (Junkhouse, Blackie and The Rodeo Kings, Lee Harvey Osmond) and Thomas "Tawgs" Salter, co-writer and producer of Lights' debut and Josh Groban's Awake, and it has generated four Canadian radio singles, “Man’s Gotta Be A Stone”, “Lost Again”, “Wavelength” and “Johnny Coolman.”
2011's 'Take It From The Top: The Best Of’ pays tribute to James's career's first 23 years and serves as a celebration of Colin’s return back where he started his recordings, Virgin/EMI. This Greatest Hits collection also features two newly recorded tracks, “It’s Gonna Be Alright“ as well as an innovative cover of the Buddy Miles' classic “Them Changes”, that were recorded in Vancouver with veteran producer Bob Rock (Michael Bublé, Metallica), reuniting the two after almost twenty years.
On June 12th, 2012, James released his fifteenth album, appropriately entitled Fifteen, which was produced by Joe Hardy (ZZ Top, Brooks & Dunn, Jeff Healey, Steve Earle), who had handled three of Colin's previous album productions including his successful sophomore release. Colin co-writes with Gordie Johnson (Big Sugar, Grady) on the opener “Sweets Gone Sour” and the rocker “I Need You Bad.” Colin also re-teamed with Tom Wilson and Thomas “Tawgs” Salter on four high-octane tracks, including the bluesy “No Time to Get There” and the driving “Stone Faith,” the album’s first single.
Fifteen also features two beautiful co-writes with Ron Sexsmith that reveal Colin’s seductive side: “Finally Wrote a Song for You”, a soulful love ballad; and “Shoulder to Cry On,” a moving acoustic number that highlights his vocal range, while closing the album. The disc also features some inspiring covers, including John Lennon's "Jealous Guy", Peter Green's (Fleetwood Mac) "Oh Well", [artis]Foy Vance’s gospel-tinged “Shed A Little Light,” and Allen Toussaint's funky "Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley", which has perhaps become best known by Robert Palmer's cover.
On February 3, 2015, James released Hearts On Fire which was produced by Colin Linden at House of Blues Studios in Nashville, and this twelve track collection is distributed by Universal Music. The title track and all but two of the songs were written or co-written by Colin.
In 2016, James was named an inductee into the Western Canadian Music Hall of Fame presented by FACTOR (The Canadian Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings). In addition to this honour, Colin headlined the Western Canadian Music Awards Show at Casino Regina on October 13th, 2016, kicking off BreakOut West’s 14th year of celebrating Western Canada’s talent.
James's studio album Blue Highways features thirteen Classic Blues covers from guitar-hero greats like Blind Willie McTell, Freddie King, Peter Green, and Robert Johnson. The CD was released on October 16th, 2016. Recording and Production was primarily handled in Vancouver by Colin James and Dave Meszaros, with recording and mixing assistance from Eric Mosher, Chris Stringer and Jason Jaknunas. Blue Highways is being distributed by True North Records, and iTunes.
Over his illustrious career, James has earned 16 Maple Blues Awards, and he has worked and toured with the 'who’s who' in the international music scene (in alphabetical order): Luther Allison, Jann Arden, The Chieftains, Albert Collins, Robert Cray, Tom Dowd, Buddy Guy, Johnny Hallyday, John Hammond Jr., Gordie Johnson, Albert King, Bobby King and Terry Evans, Danny Kortchmar, Lenny Kravitz, Little Feat, The Memphis Horns, Craig Northey, Bill Payne, Bonnie Raitt, Keith Richards, Bob Rock, The Rolling Stones, Roomful Of Blues, Carlos Santana, Mavis Staples, Roebuck "Pops" Staples, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tom Wilson, Betty Wright and ZZ Top. In addition to writing most of his own material, his music has been covered by artists like Maria Muldaur, Johnny Halliday and Lucinda Williams.
Better Way To Heaven
Colin James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dust it off as a lonely day
We're gonna go where the bed's
(Band's [unverified])
Got soul
(C'mon)
Just sing away all my pain
We're gonna twist and shout
And forget our names
[Chorus]
Swing low and turn the lights down
I don't wanna know a better way to heaven
I can feel you shine around me
And I don't wanna know a better way to heaven
I'm gonna make a name, I'll make you my famous claim
And I'll take you downtown every night
Think you can lock me up, show me what it's all about
There's no star I could follow like I follow you
[Chorus]
I wanna know what it's all about
I just know when it all works out
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I heard the gospel truth and I got it all from you
You got your message through on time
You must be a savior's daughter, feel like I can walk on water
When I feel your sweet lips touchin' mine
So,
[Chorus: x2]
The song "Better Way to Heaven" by Colin James, is a lively track with upbeat rhythms and soulful vocals. The song seems to revolve around escaping troubles and difficulties in life and finding refuge in music and love. The opening lines "Turned on and wide awake, dust it off as a lonely day" could mean that the singer is feeling energized and ready to face the world. He is brushing off the negative feelings of loneliness and wants to set out on a journey with his partner, where they can find comfort and soul-inspiring music. The feeling of liberation and escape is further expressed in the line "We're gonna twist and shout, and forget our names."
The chorus of the song has the theme of finding heaven on earth by being with his beloved. The lines "Swing low and turn the lights down, I don't wanna know a better way to heaven, I can feel you shine around me, and I don't wanna know a better way to heaven," express the singer's desire to be lost in the moment with his partner and his unwillingness to let go of this blissful experience. The song also highlights the singer's love and admiration for his partner. He wants to make her famous, take her downtown every night, and follow her like a star.
In conclusion, the song "Better Way to Heaven" by Colin James is a song about finding solace in love and music in troubled times. The singer wants to escape the harsh realities of life and find heaven on earth with his partner. The song is a testament to the transformative and healing power of music and the way it can transport us to a place of joy and freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Turned on and wide awake
Feeling alert and energized
Dust it off as a lonely day
Dismiss any negative feelings from the day before
We're gonna go where the bed's (Band's [unverified]) Got soul
Visit a concert venue known for its unique energy and vibe
C'mon Just sing away all my pain
Singing can be a form of therapy for emotional pain
Sweet honey 'thin my veins
Love can create a sweet feeling inside
We're gonna twist and shout And forget our names
Letting loose and embracing the moment
Swing low and turn the lights down
Creating a romantic atmosphere
I don't wanna know a better way to heaven
Being fulfilled in the moment
I can feel you shine around me
Feeling loved and surrounded by positive energy
I'm gonna make a name, I'll make you my famous claim
I will proudly declare my love for you
And I'll take you downtown every night
Taking you out and showing you off
Think you can lock me up, show me what it's all about
Challenging the relationship to test its strength
There's no star I could follow like I follow you
I am completely devoted and loyal to you
I wanna know what it's all about
Looking for purpose and meaning in life
I just know when it all works out
Things will fall into place eventually
I heard the gospel truth and I got it all from you
Learning life's lessons from a loved one
You got your message through on time
Clear communication in the relationship
You must be a savior's daughter, feel like I can walk on water When I feel your sweet lips touchin' mine
Feeling like a better, more spiritual version of myself when I'm with you
Chorus
The romantic and fulfilling experience of being with the person I love
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kassner Associated Publishers Ltd
Written by: JAMES, NORTHEY, WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind