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.
Real Stuff
Colin James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause I never get there
Feel like I'm stuck in the mud
Back forty of nowhere
I need a new kind of sign
Not just stop every time
You try talk and I just keep on trying
C'mon throw me a bone
And you spend another night
Going over and over all the things
You say I should've known
You're hiding baby
In the time it takes me
To see what Ive done wrong
You'll be gone
You're hiding baby
In the time it takes me
To see what Ive done wrong
You'll be gone
Something set you right off
So you took off without saying
If I'd have known what it was
Id have stopped all the playing
Now I'm lying like lead
On your side of the bed
Feeling something unwind in my head
You got a ten dollar shine
On your two dollar shoes
Will the nail in your heart
Stop it flying all apart
When what you've done dawns on you
You're hiding baby
In the time it takes me
To see what Ive done wrong
You'll be gone
You're hiding baby
In the time it takes me
To see what Ive 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 lyrics to Colin James’s song “Real Stuff” speak about a man who is struggling to communicate effectively with his partner. He feels as though whenever he attempts to talk to her, he doesn’t get through, and the messages being communicated to him are unclear. He is asking for some direction or guidance, so he can make things right, but instead of getting that, he is told what he should have already known. The singer is left confused and struggling to figure out what he has done wrong, and he fears that by the time he does, his partner will be gone. The song ends with the singer expressing his desperation, wanting to figure out what makes his partner want to run away from him.
“Real Stuff” explores the confusion and frustration that can arise when communication breaks down in a relationship. It is a common theme that people can relate to, as we all have experienced miscommunication at some point in our lives. The lyrics also emphasize the importance of clear communication and effective listening, especially in romantic relationships, to avoid misunderstandings and mistrust. Overall, the song is a lamentation of a failed romance and a plea for a chance to make it right before it’s too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me which way is up
I am lost and need guidance.
Cause I never get there
I am unable to find my way on my own.
Feel like I'm stuck in the mud
I am stagnant and unable to move forward.
Back forty of nowhere
I am secluded and far from civilization.
I need a new kind of sign
I am looking for a fresh start and new direction.
Not just stop every time
I am tired of being held back by obstacles.
You try talk and I just keep on trying
I am actively working towards finding my way.
C'mon throw me a bone
I am asking for a helping hand.
Before you leave me alone
I am afraid of being left behind.
And you spend another night
I am aware that my mistakes are causing problems.
Going over and over all the things
I am reflecting on my actions and how they affect others.
You say I should've known
I am aware of the mistakes I have made.
You're hiding baby
You are keeping your true feelings hidden from me.
In the time it takes me
Before I can address my mistakes.
To see what Ive done wrong
Before I can make amends for my actions.
You'll be gone
You will have left me.
Something set you right off
Something upset you.
So you took off without saying
You left without explanation.
If I'd have known what it was
I wish I understood what caused your departure.
Id have stopped all the playing
I would have made an effort to change my behavior.
Now I'm lying like lead
I feel weighed down by guilt and regret.
On your side of the bed
I am physically and emotionally separated from you.
Feeling something unwind in my head
I am experiencing a mental breakdown.
You got a ten dollar shine
You have superficial qualities that mask deeper issues.
On your two dollar shoes
You have underlying problems despite your outward appearance.
Will the nail in your heart
Will your emotional pain.
Stop it flying all apart
Cause you to come undone.
When what you've done dawns on you
When you realize the mistakes you have made.
Oh if it gets too much
If the situation becomes overwhelming.
All of my messing it up
As a result of my mistakes.
I keep on trying to read your mind
I am attempting to understand your feelings and thoughts.
And figure out what makes you want to run
What has caused you to become distant and want to leave.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc., CCS RIGHTS MANAGEMENT CORP
Written by: CRAIG WILLIAM ANDREW NORTHEY, COLIN JAMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sameoldeh
Another great song by Colin James.
Blues specialist but Colin is really like a Swiss army knife...he can do anything.
Lorraine Ashby
Love Colin James - this song rocks!!
Hazem Mahmoud
I like this kind of rock music. It levitates me...
I can feel the adrenaline rush ..
patrickokc
ROCK IT Colin! One of my favorite tunes, no way you can listen to this and not start moving something LOL
Albert Laboucan
This guy is the bomb love his songs keep them coming boy all the way from Alberta Canada
Craig Mineweaser
Love this Canadian rocker. What a talent.
Veronique Verstichelen
Awesome Canadian Talent right here!! Great live performer. Thks Colin James.
southsideblues
That sure is some Real GOOD Stuff!!!
Adde 1997
This is real stuff!!
reaper 1982666
That was great first time listener ling time blues fan my dad showed this stuff long time ago just not realizing he wad on to some real stuff ha bazinga