One of his projects is the supergroup The Good, The Bad & The Queen, where he plays the keyboard and sings. Other members of the band are Paul Simonon (bass, The Clash), Simon Tong (guitar, The Verve) and Tony Allen (drums, percussion). Their album (released in early 2007) is produced by DJ Danger Mouse (producer of Gorillaz album "Demon Days", member of Gnarls Barkley).
The Marvelous Dream Songfacts says that another of his projects is Dr Dee, an opera created by Albarn with theatre director Rufus Norris. The work is based on the life of Dr. John Dee (1527-1608), an Elizabethan courtier who was also a mathematician, alchemist, astrologer, spiritualist, philosopher and spy. The opera’s debut performance was at the Palace Theatre, Manchester in July 2011, as part of the 2011 Manchester International Festival. The soundtrack was released on May 8, 2012 by Virgin.
Years active : 1989–present
The Moon Exalted
Damon Albarn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Would it mean my heart
Let it never be supposed to try
Would alienate the soul
Or that I would change my resolve
For anything known
I love.
Let it …moves
Let … by love record
The silent cause of love
Do not think that I incline to …
My loyalty word gone
Ways … coming down
It’s a powerful thing
The morning I awoke to find you gone
The moon was rising higher than the sun
Until all of us, it’s a powerful thing
In my book of thoughts
I have found return on my heart
The true history, of the sadness that I start
Illuminated, only by tears
… as someone you live
Lay by my side until the light, appears
In the far fall of night I’d fall asleep
An angel came to me
And she warned me, of the battle I would have to take
Illuminated, only by tears
… as someone you live
Lay by my side until the light, appears.
The first stanza of Damon Albarn's song The Moon Exalted is poetic and deeply introspective. The lyrics grapple with the concept of love and whether it would require the singer to change their fundamental qualities or beliefs. The line "Let it never be supposed to try" suggests a fear of attempting to love someone, perhaps out of fear of being rejected or afraid of what it would mean for the singer's identity. The idea of an "alienated soul" speaks to the idea that love could separate one from themselves, causing a loss of personal identity. However, despite these worries, the singer affirms that their love will endure and be recorded "by love" for eternity.
The second stanza seems to speak to the idea of loss and grief, specifically the morning the singer "awoke to find you gone." The moon rising higher than the sun suggests the passage of time as well as the power of nature and the universe. It's unclear who the "you" is in this context, whether it's a person or a more abstract concept, but the use of the word "loyalty" suggests a deeply held connection or devotion. The power of the moon is repeated again in the final line of the stanza, suggesting that it may hold some symbolic meaning for the singer.
The final stanza further explores themes of loss and grief, possibly hinting at a romantic relationship that has ended. The line "In the far fall of night I’d fall asleep" suggests a sense of isolation and loneliness. However, the presence of an angel offers a glimmer of hope, even though their warning of an impending battle seems ominous. The use of tears and the repetition of the line "lay by my side until the light appears" further emphasize the theme of loss and yearning for comfort.
Overall, The Moon Exalted is a deeply emotional and introspective song that wrestles with complex themes of love, loss, and grief.
Line by Line Meaning
To love another,
Expressing the idea of loving another person
Would it mean my heart
Asking if this would affect his heart's desires
Let it never be supposed to try
Declaring that he doesn't want to attempt to love another person
Would alienate the soul
Stating that it might affect his soul
Or that I would change my resolve
Wondering if loving someone would change his commitment or decision
For anything known
Rejecting the idea of changing himself for anyone or anything
I love.
Concluding that he loves without needing to change
Let it …moves
Allowing love to be spontaneous and free
And relate to the bride
Comparing love to a wedding ceremony
Let … by love record
Suggesting that love will document its own story
The silent cause of love
Referring to the powerful yet intangible effects of love
Do not think that I incline to …
Indicating that he is not leaning towards any particular decision
My loyalty word gone
Implying that he has lost his faith in loyalty
Ways … coming down
Alluding to the inevitable struggles that lie ahead
It’s a powerful thing
Acknowledging the strength and impact of love
The morning I awoke to find you gone
Recalling a moment of loss and abandonment
The moon was rising higher than the sun
Suggesting the overwhelming nature of emotions and memories
Until all of us, it’s a powerful thing
Emphasizing that everyone is affected by love's power
In my book of thoughts
Referring to the mind as a record of ideas and experiences
I have found return on my heart
Sharing how his thoughts have impacted his feelings
The true history, of the sadness that I start
Exploring the origin of his sadness
Illuminated, only by tears
Describing the clarity of emotions that come through crying
… as someone you live
Referring to a loved one as a companion
Lay by my side until the light, appears
Desiring the comfort of someone's presence during difficult times
In the far fall of night I’d fall asleep
Setting the scene for a dreamlike state of mind
An angel came to me
Introducing a supernatural element to the narrative
And she warned me, of the battle I would have to take
Foretelling a future conflict
Illuminated, only by tears
Repeating the description of emotional clarity through crying
… as someone you live
Repeating the reference to a loved one as a companion
Lay by my side until the light, appears.
Repeating the desire for comfort and support during tough times.
Writer(s): Damon Albarn Copyright: Chrysalis Music Ltd.
Contributed by Ellie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@cherylgies1
To love another
Would dim me in my heart
Let it never be supposed that I
Would alienate the soul
Or that I would change my resolve
For anything, no
I love
Anima, animus
And relate the bright
Let death by love recall
The silent pause of love
Do not think that I incline to that
My loyalty would always hold
Coming down
It's a powerful thing
The morning I awoke to find you'd gone
The moon was rising higher than the sun
Unto all of us, it's a powerful thing
In my book of thoughts
I have found written on my heart
The true history of the sadness that I start
Illuminated only by tears
Cinnamon girl, I summon you here
Lay by my side until a light appears
In the fourth hour of night at first sleep
An angel came to me
And she warned me, of the battles I will live to take
Illuminated only by tears
Cinnamon girl, I summon you here
Lay by my side until the light appears
@gpeddino
In my book of thoughts, I have found written on my heart
The true history of the sadness that I start
Illuminated only by tears
Cinnamon girl, I summon you here
Lay by my side until the light appears
In the fourth hour of night, at first sleep, an angel came to me
And she warned me of the battles I will live to take
Illuminated only by tears
Cinnamon girl, I summon you here
Lay by my side until the light appears
@velvitjonze
can't think of another musician currently who has done so much for music as a whole - rock, pop, world music, hip hop, opera...incredible
@velvitjonze
@Helmut Salvatore I know it's not heavy metal but stick Song no.2 on in ANY rock club and it would stand up. Seen it happen
@bradthepiper
It would either be incredible or a disaster to see him work on something with Mike Patton.
@angelceballos9385
Es grandioso ver en los comentarios el impacto que Damon ha causado a muchos; sencillamente un hombre y artista remarcable en nuestros tiempos
@edgardocarballo1717
He crecido con la voz de él, desde Blur, Gorillaz y hasta solista, cada trabajo de él, no son discos, son épocas de vida.
@maryyounger3840
As if this piece wasn't wonderful enough, the presence and artistry of Seckou Keita takes everything to another level.😍
@cherylgies1
To love another
Would dim me in my heart
Let it never be supposed that I
Would alienate the soul
Or that I would change my resolve
For anything, no
I love
Anima, animus
And relate the bright
Let death by love recall
The silent pause of love
Do not think that I incline to that
My loyalty would always hold
Coming down
It's a powerful thing
The morning I awoke to find you'd gone
The moon was rising higher than the sun
Unto all of us, it's a powerful thing
In my book of thoughts
I have found written on my heart
The true history of the sadness that I start
Illuminated only by tears
Cinnamon girl, I summon you here
Lay by my side until a light appears
In the fourth hour of night at first sleep
An angel came to me
And she warned me, of the battles I will live to take
Illuminated only by tears
Cinnamon girl, I summon you here
Lay by my side until the light appears
@bel5515
Thank you 🎈
@amyharris7312
oh my Lord, that was sooooooo gorgeous. I adore his love songs, his slow, sweet, melodic songs that he pours his emotive voice into, without holding back. that did it for me...ordering now to get it in my mailbox in Alabama soonest.
@MAR-uq7zx
Damon es parte de mi vida. Mi adolescencia con Blur, luego Gorillaz y después él como solista... Talentoso y maravilloso, poco reconocido como pasa con muchos artistas! Slds desde Argentina!♡♡♡