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.
Dream Of Satin
Colin James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And whiskey bottles shrine the living room
She's lookin' out the window
Tryin' to see through the tears that fall
He left the other night without a trace
Goddamn the man he never did no good
She should have left him long ago
Thinkin' that he'd come around
But now he's gone to stay
Do you still dream of satin
Fine china and white lace?
And a man who really loves you
To wipe those tears away
Do you still see the eiffel tower
And a table set for two?
And if you say yes
If you say yes
It will still come true
Oh hey baby
Hey girl
The years went by so fast she couldn't sleep
How the hands of time have battered her around
And left her lost and lonely
With things that could have been
And a heart that's turned to stone
That won't let nothin' in
And no you won't no you won't
No you won't let nothin' in
Do you still dream of satin
Fine china and white lace?
And a man who really loves you
To wipe those tears away
Do you still see the eiffel tower
And a table set for two?
And if you say yes if you say yes
If you should say yes
And if you say yes
If you say yes
It will still come true
Hey baby
Aww girl
Say come on come on girl
Come on
It will come true it will come true
It will come true
The lyrics to Colin James's song "Dream of Satin" tell the story of a woman who is left alone by her partner. The living room is littered with broken toys and whiskey bottles, and the woman is trying to look past her own tears to see out the window. Her partner left her without any warning, and although she knew he was not good for her, she couldn't bring herself to leave him. She held onto the hope that he would come back around, but now she realizes that he is gone for good.
The chorus asks the woman if she still dreams of satin, fine china, and white lace - symbols of a romantic and luxurious life. The song goes on to ask if she still sees an image of the Eiffel tower, where a table is set for two. These are all things that the woman may have once dreamed of, but now she is alone and unable to move past the hurt caused by her partner's abandonment. The song ends with a hopeful note - if the woman can still dream of these things, they can still come true for her.
Overall, the lyrics suggest the painful reality of a relationship that has gone bad, and the lingering hopes and dreams that keep the woman from moving on. The song is touching and emotional, with vivid images that leave a lasting impression on the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
Broken toys are scattered on the floor
The aftermath of the singer's life is dark and gloomy. The physical and metaphorical evidence is strewn around them, with little hope for things to improve.
And whiskey bottles shrine the living room
The only other inhabitant of the space with the singer is liquor. It has taken up an almost sacred space in the room, reflecting how the singer uses it to fill the void within their heart.
She's lookin' out the window
The singer is contemplating their existence and attaching their hope to something beyond the four walls they find themselves in.
Tryin' to see through the tears that fall
The artist is so consumed with sadness, it colors everything they see.
He left the other night without a trace
The artist's lover has abandoned them without even so much as an explanation.
Goddamn the man he never did no good
The singer is angry and resentful of their partner. They can't believe they wasted so much time being in a relationship with someone who brought them nothing but heartache.
She should have left him long ago
The singer realizes, in hindsight, that they stayed in the relationship longer than they should have.
But she couldn't get away
Even though the artist knew things were not working out, the strength and will to change their situation was not within their power.
Thinkin' that he'd come around
Despite the previous missteps in their relationship, the artist held out hope that their partner would have a change of heart.
But now he's gone to stay
Unfortunately, the artist realizes that their partner is truly gone and not coming back.
Do you still dream of satin
The singer is asking someone they care for whether they still cling onto the idea of a perfect life with a perfect partner.
Fine china and white lace?
The artist describes the aspirations for a life of luxury and refinement, beyond the more humble existence they find themselves in.
And a man who really loves you
The singer longs for someone to care for them deeply and to lift them up when they are feeling down.
To wipe those tears away
This line emphasizes the potential partner's function as a source of support and comfort during challenging times.
Do you still see the eiffel tower
The singer asks about the same grand dreams that everyone once clung onto - a fairy-tale romance in a faraway land.
And a table set for two?
Envisioning life's perfect moments - the artist is offering to connect with their companion on how we all dream of a particular type of love, especially love that's shared and celebrated over a delicious meal.
It will still come true
In the midst of all of life's hardships, the artist still believes that real love, true love, everything they have ever dreamed of, will find them, whether now or in the future.
The years went by so fast she couldn't sleep
The memories of missing the life they longed for, chased after them without rest, and no matter how tired they were, it was always at the forefront of their mind.
How the hands of time have battered her around
The singer is attempting to describe the toll life has taken on them, and how they feel bruised and battered from the experience.
And left her lost and lonely
The burdensome weight of their past has made the artist feel isolated and without support.
With things that could have been
Reflecting on how their life could have been if things had been different.
And a heart that's turned to stone
The artist is referring to the emotional wall they have put up, as they struggle to keep their heart from being shattered again.
That won't let nothin' in
Their heart has been shattered too many times, and they can't let anybody in. They've lost sight of anything worth looking for and are too cold and closed off to see any kind of light in the future.
It will come true
The artist is expressing their unwavering belief that anything is possible for those who have been hurt, and they can ultimately find that elusive love they long for in life.
Contributed by Tyler R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
corri ganya
I love this song
Mama Marianovits
Does this song ever take me back...wow. Timeless.
Teresa Nike
Im pretty sure its supposed to be satin not satan. I have been searching for this song a long time I used to listen to it in my teenage years and loved it because I was going through a lot when I was younger and music and this song helped me through a lot.
David Roy
Hail Satin!!!
CatmanKelowna
This song - total sense
2015 and up - Hypergamy has entered the chat
CoastToKootenay
What a disturbing song of devil worship! (Did you look at the song title closely?) Seriously, though, this is a beautiful ending to Colin James' rockin', energetic debut album. Thanks for posting!
Joel Height
I think "Satin" is supposed to symbolize the ex-boyfriend or whatever
cheryl lynn
the title is dream of satin not satan ..... .... do you still dream of satin, fine china and white lace .... thanks for the upload :)