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.
Last Boat to America
David Gray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Away I'll float
Into the stillness of a pure blue sky
There's nothing here to hold me now
And I got no more tears to cry
Grant me a wish just one more kiss
Oh baby kiss me till the daylight's through
But there ain't nothing any fool can do
Pin another dream on my
'cause the night is bearing down
Baby let's got all the way this time
Sing me the truth sweet bird of youth
I got some trouble trying to understand
Beneath the veils of mystery
Are these the movements of an unseen hand
Our arms are full of sunken treasure baby
Now our heads are filled with perfect sound
But do we truly see it hey
Till we're placing it in the ground
Take just what you need from me
'cause the night is bearing down
Baby let't go all the way this time
Frost on my windowpane is forming
Don't pin that line on me oh no
Don't pin that line on me oh no
Don't pin that line on me oh no
Don't pin that line on me oh no
Baby let's go all the way this time
Won't you take me all the way this time
Baby let's go all the way this time
Make me a boat
Away I'll float
Into the stillness of a pure blue sky
The meaning behind David Gray's Last Boat to America is quite profound. The song is about finding solace and escape from the chaos and pain of the world. The chorus, "Make me a boat, away I'll float, into the stillness of a pure blue sky," is essentially a plea to be released from the burdens of life and to be taken away to a peaceful, calming place where one can find safety and freedom. The imagery throughout the song reflects this theme of escape and freedom.
The lyrics also touch on the idea of fantasy and make-believe as a way to cope with the harsh realities of life. Gray sings, "These are days of make-believe, but there ain't nothing any fool can do," suggesting that though we may try to escape into a fantasy world, ultimately we cannot avoid the truth.
As the song progresses, Gray asks to be taken on a journey to fully experience life and all it has to offer. He asks for "one more kiss" and to "go all the way this time." This can be interpreted as a desire to live life to the fullest and to not hold back, to experience everything that life has to offer with no regrets.
The final lines of the song, "Don't pin that line on me oh no," can be seen as a rejection of the idea that we are defined by our struggles and hardships. Gray is saying that he refuses to let his pain define him, and he seeks to escape from it.
Overall, Last Boat to America is a poignant and introspective song about the desire for freedom and escape from the harsh realities of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Make me a boat
David Gray wants someone to make him a boat, so that he can leave everything behind and move on.
Away I'll float
David Gray intends to float away from his troubles and painful memories.
Into the stillness of a pure blue sky
David Gray wishes to escape into a peaceful and serene world depicted by a pure blue sky.
There's nothing here to hold me now
David Gray feels there is no one or anything left that needs him, so he wants to let go.
And I got no more tears to cry
David Gray feels drained and unable to handle any more emotional weight, so his tears have run dry.
Grant me a wish just one more kiss
David Gray is seeking one last kiss from his lover, as a last wish before he leaves.
Oh baby kiss me till the daylight's through
David Gray wants his lover to kiss him deeply, until the sun comes up and the night is over.
These are days of make believe
David Gray believes that everything around him is fake, and not genuine.
But there ain't nothing any fool can do
David Gray knows there is no way out of his current situation, even if he is foolish enough to try.
Pin another dream on my
David Gray is seeking a new dream to replace his old ones.
'cause the night is bearing down
David Gray is feeling anxious and afraid of what the future holds.
Baby let's got all the way this time
David Gray is asking his lover to take this chance with him, and to not hold back.
Sing me the truth sweet bird of youth
David Gray is asking the 'bird of youth' for the truth, hoping to find clarity and insight.
I got some trouble trying to understand
David Gray is having difficulty understanding the world around him, and is seeking help.
Beneath the veils of mystery
David Gray thinks there is more to everything around him than what is visible on the surface.
Are these the movements of an unseen hand
David Gray is questioning if there is some divine power at work controlling everything, which he cannot see.
Our arms are full of sunken treasure baby
David Gray feels like he and his lover have collected many valuable experiences, which are now hidden.
Now our heads are filled with perfect sound
David Gray believes that he and his lover now have a much deeper understanding of the world, and everything around them is much clearer.
But do we truly see it hey
David Gray is uncertain if they truly understand everything, or if their understanding is still incomplete.
Till we're placing it in the ground
David Gray feels that true understanding only comes when everything is over, and there are no more mysteries left to unravel.
Take just what you need from me
David Gray is giving everything he has to his lover, so that they can make the most of their time together.
'cause the night is bearing down
David Gray is feeling more and more anxious about the future, which is now bearing down on him.
Frost on my windowpane is forming
David Gray is sensing the onset of winter and the end of a season of growth and prosperity.
Don't pin that line on me oh no
David Gray is expressing his reluctance to take the blame for something he didn't do or say.
Baby let's go all the way this time
David Gray is urging his lover to commit to this moment, and to go all the way with him.
Won't you take me all the way this time
David Gray is once again asking his lover to go all the way, as he cannot do it alone.
Make me a boat
David Gray is reiterating his desire for someone to make him a boat, so he can escape his current situation.
Away I'll float
David Gray still has no plans to stay, and intends to float away from everything that is holding him back.
Into the stillness of a pure blue sky
David Gray still dreams of escaping into a peaceful and serene world, depicted by a pure blue sky.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAVID GRAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@paulsingh9043
Played at my brothers funeral , I’ve never seen so many grown men weep , Rip bro.🙏🏽
@jdanddpt
David, you are the best songwriter of our generation. I truly believe that. Your music has evolved, yet every song continues to make me happy and proud to be a fan. Thank you ♥
@Thatwasthesummerofsv
+jdanddptVery well said, Sir/Madam! :) I truly believe that too...! (& I'm actually seriously addicted to 'Mutineers', but I'm worried that might the peak of his mastery...) So so hope that I am wrong...
@johnwilliams2920
5 years on from your original post, do you still think the same?
I do. With bells on. 👌❤
@fischernilsen6864
When it comes to PIANO DRIVEN David Gray songs this is one I'm always coming back to.
@johnwilliams2920
I am 55, and I want to cry every time, I hear this.
And I don't know why.
@ramp7t
I'm new to Dave Gray. My emotions are so overwhelmed. Wow
@mikehaas8251
David, You have truly made this world a better place to live in. Thank You...S
@patronedoss213
Most chill David gray song.
@ma.cerilalinco766
it is 2020 right now still loving this song :D