I. David Wilcox i… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two artists named David Wilcox.
I. David Wilcox is a Canadian rock and blues musician.
II. David Wilcox is an American folk musician and singer-songwriter guitarist.
I. More than three decades into his career, singer/songwriter David Wilcox continues to push himself, just as he always has. Wilcox, by so many measures, is a quintessential folk singer, telling stories full of heart, humor, and hope, substance, searching, and style. His innate sense of adventure and authenticity is why critics and colleagues, alike, have always praised not just his artistry, but his humanity, as well.
That's not by accident; it's very much by design. It's the result of a man giving himself over in gratitude and service to something bigger than himself. “I'm grateful to music,” he says. “I have a life that feels deeply good, but when I started playing music, nothing in my life felt that good. I started to write songs because I wanted to find a way to make my life feel as good as I felt when I heard a great song. I don't think I'd be alive now if it had not been for music.”
An early '80s move to Warren Wilson College in North Carolina set his wheels in motion, as he started playing guitar and writing songs, processing his own inner workings and accessing his own inner wisdom. In 1987, within a couple of years of graduating, Wilcox had released his first independent album, The Nightshift Watchman. A year later, he won the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Award and, in 1989, he signed with A&M Records, selling more than 100,000 copies of his A&M debut, How Did You Find Me Here.
In the 30 years and more than 20 records since — whether with a major label, an indie company, or his own imprint — Wilcox has continued to hone his craft, pairing thoughtful insights with his warm baritone, open tunings, and deft technique. He's also kept up a brisk and thorough tour itinerary, performing 80 to 100 shows a year throughout the U.S., and regularly deploying his talents by improvising a “Musical Medicine” song for an audience member in need. In recent years he’s taken that process a step further, carefully writing and recording dozens of his “Custom Songs” for long-time fans who seek his help in commemorating and explaining the key milestones in their lives.
Lest anyone think that he's lost his touch, Wilcox pulled no punches on his most recent release, 2018's The View From the Edge. Not only does the song cycle find him delving into mental health, family legacies, spiritual contemplations, and topical concerns, the song “We Make the Way By Walking" also won him the Grand Prize in the 2018 USA Songwriting Contest.
"I think the coolest thing about this kind of music is that, if you listen to a night's worth of music, you should know that person,” he explains. “If you're hearing a performer sing all these songs, you should know not only where he gets his joy and what he loves, but you should know what pisses him off and what frightens him and what runs him off the rails, what takes him apart and what puts him back together.”
To attain that level of revelatory honesty, Wilcox follows a song to its deepest truth, even when it haunts him, a practice which demands the strength of vulnerability that he has sought since his teen years. That honesty is why Rolling Stone has written that his “ongoing musical journey is compelling and richly deserving of a listen.” It's also why Blue Ridge Public Radio has noted that, “The connection people feel with David’s music is also the connection they feel with each other.”
But Wilcox's unique brand of storytelling doesn't come easily. And it doesn't come quickly. “I could always think of a lot of possible ways the song could go, but the trick was recognizing truth amidst all the cleverness,” he confesses. “The more time I took, the more my deep heart could speak to me through the process of songwriting. I could gradually craft a song that felt like it was coming from the place I was going. If you decide to trust heart over cleverness, you not only get a song that moves you, you get a song that moves you toward being who you want to be. The time you spend immersed in the emotion of a song changes you. The song shows you the world through a particular point of view. Once you have seen the world that way, you can't un-see it.”
Website: David Wilcox
II. The American David Wilcox was born in Cleveland, Ohio. His work features lyrical insight, asmooth baritone voice, virtuosic guitar chops, and creative open tunings. He released an independent album in 1987, won the Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk award in 1988, and by 1989 he had signed with A&M Records. His first release on the label, ‘How Did You Find Me Here’, sold over 100,000 copies its first year. 17 albums later his songs have been covered by artists such as k.d. lang and many others.
Hold It Up To The Light
David Wilcox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I will not live my life in between anymore
If I can't be certain of all that's in store
This far it feels so right
I will hold it up - hold it up to the light,
Hold it up to the light, hold it up to the light
The search for my future has brought me here
That the choice I was made for will someday appear
And I'll be too late for that flight
So hold it up - hold it up to the light,
Hold it up to the light, hold it up to the light
It's too late - to be stopped at the crossroads
Each life here - a possible way
But wait - and they all will be lost roads
Each road's getting shorter the longer I stay
Now as soon as I'm moving - my choice is good
This way comes through right where I prayed that it would
If I keep my eyes open and look where I should
Somehow all of the signs are in sight
If I hold it up to the light
I said God, will you bless this decision?
I'm scared, Is my life at stake?
But I see if you gave me a vision
Would I never have reason to use my faith?
I was dead with deciding - afraid to choose
I was mourning the loss of the choices I'd lose
But there's no choice at all if I don't make my move
And trust that the timing is right
Yes and hold it up hold it up to the light
Hold it up to the light, hold it up to the light
The song "Hold It Up To The Light" by David Wilcox is a contemplative piece on the choice people have to make about their life's direction. The singer of the song is at a crossroads and trying to make the right decision that will set him on a path that feels true and fulfilling. Throughout the song, he expresses his uncertainty and fear of making the wrong choice, but also acknowledges that inaction is not an option. The singer infuses the lyrics with a sense of hope and trust that if he makes the decision with faith, things will work out in the end.
The repetition of the words "hold it up to the light" throughout the song emphasizes the importance of examining one's choices and being honest about what feels right. The line "It's too late - to be stopped at the crossroads" implies that the singer is aware that there may be no perfect choice or that too much time spent deliberating could result in missed opportunities. Furthermore, the line, "But there's no choice at all if I don't make my move and trust that the timing is right," encourages listeners to embrace their uncertainty, trust their instincts and commit to a direction.
In conclusion, "Hold It Up To The Light" by David Wilcox is a song that encourages listeners to make the best possible choice for their lives. It advocates taking risks and having faith in oneself, one's judgement, and the universe. Ultimately, the song illustrates that making a decision increases the chances of success, and the only way to move forward is to hold the choice up to the light and have the courage to follow through.
Line by Line Meaning
It's the choice of a lifetime - I'm almost sure
I'm facing a significant decision, and while I'm not completely certain of my choice, I understand that it could heavily impact my future.
I will not live my life in between anymore
I refuse to remain indecisive, wavering in a state of inactivity or uncertainty with my life's direction.
If I can't be certain of all that's in store
Without perfect knowledge of the future, as uncertain as it is, I still must make a choice and trust its outcome.
This far it feels so right
Up until this moment, I have gained confidence that my choice will prove wise and positive.
I will hold it up - hold it up to the light, Hold it up to the light, hold it up to the light
I will examine my decision and its consequences with honesty and transparency, looking at it from all possible angles.
The search for my future has brought me here
I have pursued various paths to find my calling, and this current choice has led me to where I am now.
This is more than I'd hoped for, but sometimes I fear That the choice I was made for will someday appear And I'll be too late for that flight
While this current opportunity is a wonderful surprise, I worry that if the real or ideal choice arrives later, it may be too late to pursue it.
So hold it up - hold it up to the light, Hold it up to the light, hold it up to the light
Again, I will assess my decision carefully, using my intellect and intuition to achieve soundness of mind and spirit.
It's too late - to be stopped at the crossroads Each life here - a possible way But wait - and they all will be lost roads Each road's getting shorter the longer I stay
If I remain indecisive and fail to choose a direction, all of the paths available will become less clear and less viable as time passes, turning into missed opportunities.
Now as soon as I'm moving - my choice is good This way comes through right where I prayed that it would If I keep my eyes open and look where I should Somehow all of the signs are in sight If I hold it up to the light
By making a decision and acting upon it, I am setting myself on a promising course, and if I trust my instincts and look for guidance, I will see that I am on the right track.
I said God, will you bless this decision? I'm scared, Is my life at stake? But I see if you gave me a vision Would I never have reason to use my faith?
I ask God for His guidance and approval, assuring Him that I am apprehensive but not fearful for my future. I will still need faith to pursue my goals, even if they are effortlessly evident.
I was dead with deciding - afraid to choose I was mourning the loss of the choices I'd lose But there's no choice at all if I don't make my move And trust that the timing is right Yes and hold it up hold it up to the light Hold it up to the light, hold it up to the light
I was paralyzed by the fear of making a wrong choice, lamenting over the alternate paths I could not take after choosing. However, not choosing is not a decision itself, and I need to move towards my goals while keeping my option illuminated in case I need to review my choices again.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID PATRICK WILCOX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind