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.
Travellin'
Colin James Lyrics
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Rode it to the bottom
I found the Poseidon
I'd thought I'd get on It
I caught myself a freight train
So old it wouldn't move
It take more than to stop me
Travellin' back to you
Out of the frying pan
Into the fire
Blued and tattooed
By the wings of desire
No matter where I've been
Or what I've been through
I'm running on a hard road
Travellin' back to you
Travellin' back to you
Nobody but you
You and only you
Travellin' back to you
Cat o' nine tails
Burning on my skin
Keeping one step ahead
Trying to get to the end
You know I'll never get tired
No way I'm gonna lose
Nothing's gonna stop me
Travellin' back to you
Travellin' back to you
Nobody but you
You and only you
Travellin' back to you
I kissed the Mona Lisa
Right on her lips
She sure looked sweet
But couldn't shake her hips
Venus de Milo
Didn't know what to do
She didn't have your charms
Travellin' back to you
Travellin' back to you
Nobody but you
You and only you
Travellin' back to you
Travellin' back to you
Nobody but you
You and only you
Travellin' back to you
The lyrics of Colin James's song "Travellin'" convey the singer's persistent and unwavering determination to reach a specific person. The song takes on a metaphorical journey, using various images and symbols to depict the challenges and obstacles faced while trying to reach this individual.
The song begins with the singer riding the Titanic, a symbol of both ambition and disaster. By choosing to ride it to the bottom, it suggests the singer's willingness to take risks and dive deep into the unknown. They then encounter the Poseidon, a reference to the mythical Greek god of the sea. This could symbolize the singer's encounter with a powerful force or obstacle during their journey.
The verse continues with the singer catching an old freight train that refuses to move, implying a roadblock in their path. Despite this setback, the singer remains undeterred, emphasizing their determination to reach their destination, or rather, the person they are traveling back to.
The refrain states, "Travellin' back to you, nobody but you, you and only you." This repetition underscores the sole focus of the singer's journey, their love and connection to this specific person. It highlights their enduring commitment and the belief that nothing will stop them from returning to this individual.
The lyrics proceed to depict the singer's encounters with various iconic figures, such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. These references serve to contrast the allure of these famous works of art with the singer's belief that they lack the charms and presence of the person they are longing for. It further strengthens the notion that the singer's journey is solely directed towards this one individual.
In summary, "Travellin'" is a song that portrays an unwavering determination to reach a specific person. It uses metaphorical images and symbols to signify the challenges faced along the way and emphasizes the singer's unwavering commitment and focus on their ultimate destination.
Line by Line Meaning
I rode the Titanic
I took a risk and embarked on something that eventually failed or sank
Rode it to the bottom
I went all the way down with my failed endeavor
I found the Poseidon
I encountered another catastrophic situation or failure
I'd thought I'd get on It
I believed that this new endeavor would bring me success or fulfillment
I caught myself a freight train
I found an opportunity or an unconventional path
So old it wouldn't move
The opportunity or path seemed stagnant or difficult
It take more than to stop me
I am determined and resilient, nothing can halt my progress
Travellin' back to you
I am on a journey, facing challenges, but returning to you
Out of the frying pan
I escaped one difficult situation or problem
Into the fire
Only to find myself in an even more challenging or dangerous situation
Blued and tattooed
I have been marked or scarred by life's hardships
By the wings of desire
Motivated by my deep longing or yearning
No matter where I've been
Despite my past experiences and journeys
Or what I've been through
Regardless of the trials and tribulations I've faced
I'm running on a hard road
I am persisting on a difficult path
Travellin' back to you
My ultimate aim is to reach you, no matter the challenges
Cat o' nine tails
I am facing punishment or pain
Burning on my skin
The consequences of my actions are physically felt and agonizing
Keeping one step ahead
I am staying ahead of troubles or adversaries
Trying to get to the end
Striving to reach my ultimate destination or goal
You know I'll never get tired
I am determined and unwavering, I won't lose my motivation
No way I'm gonna lose
I won't be defeated or fail
Nothing's gonna stop me
No obstacle or challenge can hinder my progress
Travellin' back to you
I am still on my journey, pushing forward to reach you
I kissed the Mona Lisa
I experienced something beautiful or iconic
Right on her lips
I had a personal and intimate interaction with that beauty
She sure looked sweet
The experience was pleasant and enticing
But couldn't shake her hips
However, it lacked the lively or captivating essence that you possess
Venus de Milo
I encountered something ancient, timeless, but incomplete
Didn't know what to do
It lacked direction or purpose, unlike my journey towards you
She didn't have your charms
It lacked the unique, enchanting qualities that make you special
Travellin' back to you
No matter where I've been or what I've experienced, I am always drawn back to you
Nobody but you
You are the only one who holds such significance in my life
You and only you
There's no one else who compares to you in my heart
Travellin' back to you
Everything I do, all my hardships, are leading me back to you
Lyrics © Kassner Associated Publishers Ltd
Written by: Colin Linden, Colin Munn, James Weider
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind