1) a Br… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists by the name of David Gray, including:
1) a British singer-songwriter
2) an Italian disco musician
3) an American singer-songwriter
4) drummer for the British blackened death metal band Akercocke
5) a musician from South Africa
6) a British classical hornist
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1) David Gray is a British singer-songwriter born on June 13, 1968 in Sale, United Kingdom. He released his first studio album in 1993 and received worldwide attention after the release of White Ladder six years later in 1999.
Gray moved to Wales at age 9 and later returned to the north-west of England to attend the University of Liverpool. His musical career got early support from a dedicated Irish fan base. After a few marginally-successful releases through the 1990s, Gray's breakthrough came with the worldwide release in 1999 of his fourth album, White Ladder; this was a critical and commercial success and included his best-known songs, "This Years Love" and "Babylon". In the United States, the album received a boost from jam-band leader Dave Matthews, who made it the first release by the record company he co-founded, ATO Records.
On August 11, 2001 White Ladder at last reached the top of the UK charts, having been selling steadily since its reissue the previous May, thereby setting a new record for the longest uninterrupted climb to No. 1. The follow-up, A New Day At Midnight, also hit No. 1, and Gray's seventh album, Life in Slow Motion was released on September 12, 2005.
Gray's early music was in a contemporary folk-rock, singer-songwriter mode; his primary instrument was acoustic guitar, with occasional piano. 1996's Sell Sell Sell featured some rock arrangements and electric instrumentation. Starting with the release of White Ladder in 1999, Gray began to make significant use of computer-generated music to accompany his voice and acoustic instrumentation, a technique which differentiates him from many of his peers. Despite the move to more complex music, Gray has used small-scale, often home-based, recording methods and equipment and espoused a "do it yourself" approach to music production. However, Life in Slow Motion is a collaboration with noted producer Marius De Vries.
David Gray's brothers-in-law are Paul and Phillip Hartnoll, formerly of the Techno/Rave band Orbital. Because of this relationship, Gray performed guest vocals on the Orbital single Illuminate, while Paul Hartnoll produced a breakbeat remix of Gray's song "Please Forgive Me".
His successful single "January Rain" was included in the original soundtrack of the movie Serendipity, starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale.
Pictures and additional information can be found on his website, www.DavidGray.com.
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2) David Gray was an Italian disco musician who had a hit with "Dead in the Water"
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3) David Gray is an American singer-songwriter
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4) David Gray is drummer for the British blackened death metal band Akercocke
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5) David Gray is a musician from South Africa
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6) British classical hornist, originally from London, England, UK, residing in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Studied at the Curtis Institute Of Music. Former Principal Horn with The London Symphony Orchestra (1964-1972). Member of The Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra.
I Can't Get Through to Myself
David Gray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
in the midday sun.
Two ice cubes melting
in a glass of white rum.
Head for the places that
I've never gone.
(I can't get through to myself.
Eight beggars choking
on a slice of red pie.
Two rivers freezing
in a broken goodbye.
No hesitation,
just a kick in the eye.
(I can't get through to myself.
Just can't get through to myself.)
And we do alot of learning
everyday or so it seems
but the road it keeps turning
and I'm right back here again.
Blue leather jacket and a helium voice.
(I can't get through to myself.)
My head is reeling from too much choice.
(I can't get through to myself.
I can't get through to myself.
Just can't get through to myself... etc)
David Gray's song "I Can't Get Through to Myself" is a poignant reflection on the frustrating experience of feeling disconnected from oneself. The lyrics depict a sense of dislocation and confusion, using evocative imagery to convey the singer's inner turmoil.
The opening lines set the scene with a vivid image of three tower blocks glinting in the sun, juxtaposed with two ice cubes melting in a glass of white rum. This sensory contrast creates a sense of tension and unease, suggesting that there is something off-kilter about the world the singer inhabits. The line "Head for the places that I've never gone" hints at a desire to escape from this disorienting environment and seek out new experiences, but it's not clear if the singer is capable of doing so.
The second verse deepens the sense of unease, describing beggars choking on pie and rivers freezing in a broken goodbye. The repetition of the line "I can't get through to myself" underscores the sense of frustration and impotence that the singer feels in the face of these distressing scenes. The final lines of the verse shift from helplessness to aggression, with the singer declaring "No hesitation, just a kick in the eye." This sudden shift in tone suggests a deep internal conflict, as the singer struggles to reconcile their desire for escape with their sense of being trapped.
The final stanza introduces a new image - a blue leather jacket and a helium voice - that hints at a more playful side to the singer's personality. But the repetition of the refrain "I can't get through to myself" suggests that this lightheartedness is tempered by a deeper sense of confusion and disconnection. The final line "Just can't get through to myself... etc" implies that the struggle to connect with oneself is ongoing and unresolvable.
Overall, "I Can't Get Through to Myself" is a thoughtful and evocative exploration of the human experience of dislocation and disconnection. Through its use of vivid imagery and repetition, the song captures the frustration and helplessness that can arise when we feel out of touch with ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Three tower blocks glinting in the midday sun.
I see three tall buildings shining in the sunlight during the day.
Two ice cubes melting in a glass of white rum.
I witness two pieces of ice dissolving in a cup of clear liquor.
Head for the places that I've never gone.
I aim to explore new destinations I haven't been to before.
(I can't get through to myself. Just can't get through to myself.)
I can't seem to overcome the internal barriers that prevent me from understanding myself.
Eight beggars choking on a slice of red pie.
I observe eight desperate people gasping for air while eating a piece of crimson-colored pastry.
Two rivers freezing in a broken goodbye.
I watch as two bodies of water become solid in the aftermath of a sad farewell.
No hesitation, just a kick in the eye.
I act decisively without any second thoughts, dealing a swift blow to the face.
And we do alot of learning everyday or so it seems but the road it keeps turning and I'm right back here again.
We acquire plenty of knowledge every day, although we don't always progress forward, and I'm stuck in the same place again.
Blue leather jacket and a helium voice.
I wear a jacket made of blue animal skin while my voice sounds high-pitched like helium gas.
(I can't get through to myself.)
Once again, I am struggling to communicate with my own self.
My head is reeling from too much choice.
I'm overwhelmed by a plethora of options, causing me to feel dizzy and uncertain.
(I can't get through to myself. I can't get through to myself. Just can't get through to myself... etc)
I repeat that I'm unable to connect with my own thoughts and feelings, as if it's an insurmountable challenge.
Contributed by Skyler T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Marissa
I want more secret tracks! That’s a rational request. 😆❤️
My life wouldn’t be the same without DG. What an incredible jewel! ✨🤗
END Marxism
This song is so relatable. When I first heard it at a Kohl’s in Ann Arbor, Michigan last August out of nowhere I got goosebumps and flashbacks to experiences I had 3 years ago. Strange how certain lyrics and sounds have that effect, even when you’re sober.
Jak Tomas
such authenticity in simplicity, should never be underrated
Penny Z Merope
💃🏽💃🏽 David Gray- Through To Myself Just can’t get through to myself!! Love this song! 👍🏽
Classically Modern
Man, has it really been that long ago?!?!...love it.!!
Robin Mcdaniel
Great David just love it thank you🎧🌅
David Seagal
Dave, I love this song. You should have gone to the bridge twice , to lengthen it I think, to give the listener more of the goodness. Thanks for another gem.
cujoedaman
I was thinking the same thing! I only heard this song a week ago and thought something happened when it ended, it's too short!
Lisa K
Awesome! Great beat! 😁😁
Shiloh Store
I can see the song working in any decade