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.
The Dotted Line
David Gray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spread a little around for chicken feed,
And any little thing you need baby, oh.
Everything that rises, all that flows,
And every which way that it goes.
It's tick-tock, the raindrop, and I wait for you.
Like green eyes or cream pies. I won't yield.
Yeah, yeah
I'm tick-tock, those green locks.
I can't get through.
Like green eyes or cream pies.
I won't yield.
I won't yield.
Oh, the darling light.
Oh, the darling light.
Oh, the darling light.
I won't yield.
The lyrics of the song "The Dotted Line" by David Gray seem to be about the struggle to reconcile one's beliefs and values with the demands of the world. Gray speaks of trying to "square the circle" of his creed, which means to resolve something that seems impossible to resolve. He also mentions trying to "spread a little around for chicken feed," which may refer to trying to find ways to make a living while staying true to oneself. Despite the compromises he may have to make, Gray promises to be there for anyone who needs him.
The second part of the lyrics is a bit more cryptic, as Gray talks about "everything that rises, all that flows, and every which way that it goes." This may represent the complexity and unpredictability of life. He also mentions "tick-tock" and "raindrop," which could be symbolic of time and the passing of events. Gray then compares himself to "green eyes or cream pies," two things that are highly desired and highly perishable. However, he declares that he won't yield, even though he appears to be stuck in the same place ("I'm tick-tock, those green locks. I can't get through.").
Overall, "The Dotted Line" seems to be a song about the struggle to stay true to oneself while dealing with the ups and downs of life. Gray acknowledges the difficulties of this endeavor, but he remains committed to his ideals and his willingness to help others.
Line by Line Meaning
Trying to square the circle of my creed,
Attempting to reconcile my beliefs and values.
Spread a little around for chicken feed,
Give away a small amount for meager benefit.
And any little thing you need baby, oh.
Willing to provide any necessary help or support.
Everything that rises, all that flows,
Referring to the cyclical nature of life and the universe.
And every which way that it goes.
Describing the unpredictable, changing course of events.
It's tick-tock, the raindrop, and I wait for you.
Illustrating the passage of time and anticipation of something or someone.
Like green eyes or cream pies. I won't yield.
Using examples of things he desires, but will not give in or give up.
Yeah, yeah
An interjection indicating agreement or acknowledgement.
I'm tick-tock, those green locks.
He is the personification of time or a clock, but also focused on his own appearance (green hair).
I can't get through.
Expressing a sense of being stuck or unable to move forward.
Oh, the darling light.
Perhaps referring to an object of affection or a guiding force.
Oh, the darling light.
Repeat of above line.
Oh, the darling light.
Repeat of above line.
I won't yield.
He is resolved and will not back down from his position.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: DAVID GRAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dave
Absolutely superb!! This album is pure genius!
Marissa
Yes! One of my faves!