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.
Hide
Colin James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feels like I'm stuck in the mud
(Feels like I'm goin' nowhere)
I need a new kind of sign, not just "stop" every time
You try to talk and just keep on tryin'
C'mon, throw me a bone (c'mon throw me a bone)
Spend another night goin' over and over
All the things that you said we shoulda known
You're hidin', baby
In the time it takes me
To see what I've done wrong you'll be gone
You're hidin', baby
In the time it takes me
To see what I've done wrong you'll be gone
Something set you right off
So you took off without sayin'
If I'd have known what it was
(I mighta stopped all the playin')
Now I'm lyin' like lead
On your side of the bed
Feelin' something unwind in my head
You gotta turn out a shine (gotta turn out a shine)
On your two-dollar shoes (on your two-dollar shoes)
Will the nail in your heart
Stop it flyin all apart
When what you've done dawns on you
You're hidin' baby
In the time it takes me
To see what I've done wrong
You'll be gone
You're hidin' baby
In the time it takes me
To see what I've done wrong
You'll be gone
Oh if it gets too much
All of my messing it up
I keep on trying to read your mind
And figure out what makes you want to run
The song "Hide" by Colin James is a soulful, bluesy track that explores the struggles of a relationship heading towards disaster with vivid lyrics and a catchy chorus. The song is about trying to decipher the cryptic behavior of a partner who seems to be hiding something and possibly avoiding taking responsibility for their actions. The singer feels stuck and unsure of what to do next, but ultimately he knows that if he doesn't figure out what's happening soon, he'll lose the person he loves.
The opening lines of the song convey a sense of hopelessness and frustration, with the singer feeling like he's forever trapped in a rut without any hope of escaping. He's looking for some kind of guidance or sign to show him the way forward but so far, he's faced with roadblocks at every turn. Despite this, he's not giving up and is willing to keep trying even though things seem bleak.
The chorus of "Hide" is the heart and soul of the song, with the lines "you're hidin', baby, in the time it takes me, to see what I've done wrong you'll be gone" showcasing James's soulful voice and poignant lyrics. These lines evoke the feelings of desperation and confusion that come with being in a failing relationship and not knowing how to fix things.
Overall, "Hide" is a powerful ballad that anyone who's been in a difficult relationship can relate to. James's emotive vocals are accompanied by a haunting guitar riff and a driving drum beat that underscore the song's message of hopelessness and the urgent need to discover the truth before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me which way is up, 'cause I never get there
Expressing inability to navigate through a difficult situation.
Feels like I'm stuck in the mud
Feeling trapped and unable to progress.
I need a new kind of sign, not just 'stop' every time
Asking for guidance and clarity, not just obstacles.
You try to talk and just keep on tryin'
Struggling to communicate effectively with someone who refuses to listen.
C'mon, throw me a bone (c'mon throw me a bone)
Begging for some help or insight.
Thought you'd leave me alone (thought you'd leave me alone)
Assuming the worst-case scenario that someone will abandon them.
Spend another night goin' over and over
All the things that you said we shoulda known
Replaying conversations and events in their head, seeking answers and understanding.
You're hidin', baby
In the time it takes me
To see what I've done wrong you'll be gone
Accusing someone of avoiding responsibility or confrontation by leaving before a resolution can be reached.
Something set you right off
So you took off without sayin'
Acknowledging that someone left abruptly without explanation.
If I'd have known what it was
(I mighta stopped all the playin')
Regretting that their actions may have caused someone to leave.
Now I'm lyin' like lead
On your side of the bed
Feelin' something unwind in my head
Feeling emotionally heavy and burdened.
You gotta turn out a shine (gotta turn out a shine)
On your two-dollar shoes (on your two-dollar shoes)
Will the nail in your heart
Stop it flyin all apart
When what you've done dawns on you
Questioning someone's integrity and ability to hold themselves together.
Oh if it gets too much
All of my messing it up
I keep on trying to read your mind
And figure out what makes you want to run
Struggling to understand why someone is running away from the relationship and blaming themselves for causing it.
Lyrics © CCS RIGHTS MANAGEMENT CORP, Kassner Associated Publishers Ltd, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Craig William Andrew Northey, Colin James
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jay Bee
This guy is awesome and should've gotten a lot more play here in the U.S. His blues based rock is better than much of what we've had to offer. Go on Colin!
My name is no one's business
This song was my introduction to Colin. It has been on multiple of my playlists on all devices since the album came out. It would awfully great if channel would get this thing uploaded again without the painfully long clip at the front (put the text in the info space!) and fixing the skip in the second half. Argh disincentive to listen.
It's me It's me Earnest T.
Been listening to Colin for years.
Candice Chicoine
Canada as such unbelievable musicians. Then Justin Beaver came ruined it for us.
KurtisBlacq
soo underrated =( it's sad lol.
Millamoren1975
So fine....
John B
Very true Vallyegurl BAD MAN STRUMM"N :) 'IN
richard winsell
canada yes: