During the 1980s, Armstrong's composition work included commissions from the Arts Council for various classical ensembles in Scotland, and he also served as resident composer at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow. During this time he also received a Composer's Award to study electronic music, and maintained a parallel career in the Scottish Pop music scene, as a member of bands Hipsway, Texas and The Big Dish.
In 1990, his music theatre group Performance performed at the Glasgow Mayfest, and he composed a number of works for film, television, and stage productions by the Traverse Theatre, the BBC, and the Royal Shakespeare Company, among others. By the late 1990s he had gained critical acclaim for his work on the Baz Luhrman films Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge! (which won him a Golden Globe for Best Original Score in 2001). He has also done orchestrations with artists such as Massive Attack, Madonna, U2, Suede, Pet Shop Boys and The Future Sound of London. During this time he also released his first album of his own orchestral work, The Space Between Us, in 1998.
During the early 2000s Armstrong continued to produce film and orchestral work, including commissions for the Barbican Centre and the Scottish Ensemble. His most recent film scores are for the Academy Award winning Taylor Hackford film, Ray for which Armstrong won a Grammy Award, and Oliver Stone's 2006 film World Trade Center.
Recently Craig has teamed up with Scott Fraser for his latest electronic project, Winona. The project sees them dust off their eye-watering collection of vintage synthesizers and set about making widescreen, minor-key masterpieces to make Winona's debut album 'Rosebud' a down-key classic.
Nature Boy
Craig Armstrong Lyrics
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The woman I loved is dead
There was a boy
A very strange enchanted boy
They say he wandered very far
Very far over land and sea
A little child and sailed about
But very wise, was he
And then one day, one magic day he passed my way
While we spoke of many things fools and kings, this he said to me
The greatest thing, you'll ever learn
Is just to love, and be loved in return
The lyrics to Craig Armstrong, David Bowie, and Ewan McGregor's "Nature Boy" are quite poignant and speak to deep themes of loss and love. The song begins with a simple but powerful statement, "This story is about love. The woman I loved is dead." This suggests that the song is a reflection on a loss the singer has experienced, and it sets a somber tone for the rest of the piece.
The next section of the lyrics introduces the titular "Nature Boy," who is described as "a very strange enchanted boy." The song paints him as a wanderer, having traveled "very far over land and sea." Though he is young, the "Nature Boy" is also wise, and the singer seems to find him fascinating.
The final section of the lyrics brings the song back to the theme of love, as the "Nature Boy" imparts some wisdom to the singer: "The greatest thing, you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return." This line is a powerful reminder of the importance of love in our lives and how it can help us find meaning and happiness even in the midst of loss.
Line by Line Meaning
This story is about love
The events that follow are centered around themes of affection and romance.
The woman I loved is dead
The person telling the story has lost their significant other, and presumably feels immense grief because of it.
There was a boy
Our protagonist encountered a young man at some point in their life.
A very strange enchanted boy
The boy was peculiar, and had an otherworldly, almost magical presence.
They say he wandered very far
The boy was known for traveling to distant lands, possibly in search of something important.
Very far over land and sea
He traveled great distances both on land and on the ocean.
A little child and sailed about
Despite being young, the boy was adventurous and sailed around the world.
But very wise, was he
Despite his youth and inexperience, the boy was remarkably intelligent and perceptive.
And then one day, one magic day he passed my way
The artist had a chance encounter with this exceptional boy on a particular day that stood out in their memory.
While we spoke of many things fools and kings, this he said to me
During their conversation, the boy imparted some wisdom to the artist, which stuck with them.
The greatest thing, you'll ever learn
The most important life lesson that one can acquire, according to the boy.
Is just to love, and be loved in return
The key to happiness is to be able to give and receive love freely.
Lyrics © GOLDEN WORLD
Written by: Eden Ahbez
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind