As a young boy Dan grew up overlooking fields, making fires, building dens and enjoying life in the country.
Dan did not particularly enjoy school and took to the guitar at the age of 9. Through music, Dan found that he could express himself, and his affinity with the guitar started when introduced to the Blues by his teacher, Richard Pharo. Dan’s guitar skill and understanding of the Blues continued to develop through his school years, playing in various bands and as part of a duo supporting his older sister Claire on open mic nights around the county.
When Dan left school he undertook a joinery apprenticeship with the ambition of becoming a professional guitar maker. Unfortunately, this was cut short following a tragic accident in the workshop involving his eye. Although no cosmetic signs remain, he suffered severe damage to the retina resulting in continued deterioration of his sight. Dan now looks back at this as a pivotal moment. It was to alter the course of his life permanently.
After seeking solace in the Blues to deal with the aftermath of his accident, Dan decided he would pick himself up and embark upon a full-time music career. The support from his family, along with the encouragement of local musicians and manager Tony Skeggs, spurred Dan on to broaden his horizons and experiment with singing. To the astonishment of himself and others, a voice emerged which has resulted in the label 'Blues Boy Dan'.
Word in the local Blues community began to spread, and throughout 2011 Dan found himself gigging twice a week, leading to a video posting on Youtube of his performance of the “Ballad of Hollis Brown”. The video attracted the attention of Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac who tracked Dan down and has since become Dan’s mentor.
Dan will be travelling to Nashville in April this year, to record with Grammy award winning producer Vance Powell (Kings Of Leon, Jack White, Willie Nelson), he will also be performing at Glastonbury, and starts a world tour with ZZ Top as support act in June.
Discography
Ships - EP (2012)
The London Sessions (2012)
Blues Boy - EP (2013)
Little Red Rooster - Single (2014)
Pride and Joy - Single (2014)
Fall Like A Feather - Single (2015)
Bad For Me - EP (2015)
Witching Hour - Single (2016)
Made To Love You - Single (2016)
Splinter
Dan Owen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a splinter under my skin
And I know that it was just one night
You're like a spark in the fading light
You cut me deep left no scar
I still feel there
You're in my blood your heartbeat throws me nearer
The dice was loaded from the start
We're tryin' to keep these splinters from my heart
And when the pain don't leave a scar
We're tryin' to keep these splinters from my heart
Do you keep it all unlocked within?
Another splinter under your skin
And do you see me when you close your eyes?
Another secret you try to hide
Is it something there that you can't see, I still need you
You're in my mind and your heartbeat throws me nearer
The dice were loaded from the start
We're tryin' to keep these splinters from my heart
And when the pain don't leave a scar
We're tryin' to keep these splinters from my heart
Deep down there's a splinter, every splinter scars
Deep down there's a splinter, every splinter scars
Deep down there's a splinter, every splinter scars
Deep down there's a splinter, every splinter scars
The dice were loaded from the start
We're tryin' to keep these splinters from my heart
And when the pain don't leave a scar
We're tryin' to keep these splinters from my heart
Deep down there's a splinter, every splinter scars
Deep down there's a splinter, every splinter scars
Deep down there's a splinter, every splinter scars
Deep down there's a splinter, every splinter scars
The lyrics of Dan Owen's song "Splinter" suggest that the singer is haunted by someone who has left a profound impact on him, like a splinter under his skin. He knows that it was just a one-night stand, but he can’t help but think of that person all the time. The person might not have left any visible scars, but the memory of them remains within him, and he struggles to keep these splinters from his heart. The singer also wonders if the person he is thinking of experiences the same struggle as him. There is something that they can’t see that needs to be addressed so that they can move on from this experience.
The song is about the familiar feeling of being unable to let go of something or someone that has left a significant impact on us. It is a song of struggle, not a love song. The lyrics' imagery of splinters under the skin and dice loaded from the start shows us that the 'spark' that they share will leave a lasting impression on both of them. The repeated chorus of "Every splinter scars" reminds us of the importance of healing from pain before it scars us forever.
Line by Line Meaning
I found you in my thoughts again
The memory of you is stuck in my head
Like a splinter under my skin
It's like a painful reminder that I can't ignore
And I know that it was just one night
Our time together was brief and fleeting
You're like a spark in the fading light
You were a brief moment of hope in my life
You cut me deep left no scar
You wounded me deeply, but there is no visible mark
I still feel there
Your presence remains with me
You're in my blood your heartbeat throws me nearer
Your essence is part of me and draws me closer to you
The dice was loaded from the start
There was little chance of a favorable outcome
We're tryin' to keep these splinters from my heart
We're trying to avoid being hurt and damaged by failed relationships
And when the pain don't leave a scar
Even though the hurt may not be visible, it is still there
Do you keep it all unlocked within?
Are you hiding your true feelings?
Another splinter under your skin
You also have painful memories that you can't shake
And do you see me when you close your eyes?
Do you also think about me when you are alone?
Another secret you try to hide
You also have things you don't want anyone to know
Is it something there that you can't see, I still need you
Is there something about us that we are not aware of? I still want to be with you
You're in my mind and your heartbeat throws me nearer
I can't stop thinking about you and your essence is drawing me closer to you
Deep down there's a splinter, every splinter scars
Painful memories can stay with you forever and leave a lasting mark
The dice were loaded from the start
We were set up for failure from the beginning
We're tryin' to keep these splinters from my heart
We're doing our best to avoid the pain of failed relationships
And when the pain don't leave a scar
Even though the hurt may not be visible, it is still there
Deep down there's a splinter, every splinter scars
Painful memories can stay with you forever and leave a lasting mark
Deep down there's a splinter, every splinter scars
Painful memories can stay with you forever and leave a lasting mark
Deep down there's a splinter, every splinter scars
Painful memories can stay with you forever and leave a lasting mark
Deep down there's a splinter, every splinter scars
Painful memories can stay with you forever and leave a lasting mark
The dice were loaded from the start
We were set up for failure from the beginning
We're tryin' to keep these splinters from my heart
We're doing our best to avoid the pain of failed relationships
And when the pain don't leave a scar
Even though the hurt may not be visible, it is still there
Deep down there's a splinter, every splinter scars
Painful memories can stay with you forever and leave a lasting mark
Deep down there's a splinter, every splinter scars
Painful memories can stay with you forever and leave a lasting mark
Deep down there's a splinter, every splinter scars
Painful memories can stay with you forever and leave a lasting mark
Deep down there's a splinter, every splinter scars
Painful memories can stay with you forever and leave a lasting mark
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Dan Owen, Marcus Bonfanti, Jake Field
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind