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.
How Did You Find Me Here
David Wilcox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I knew I was alone
A dozen good-time friendships
But my heart is still unknown
I thought I saw your footsteps
In the sand along the shore
And I mumbled empty phrases
Chorus
Now inches from the water
About to disappear
I feel you behind me
How did you find me here?
I couldn't reach for rescue
I hid myself from you
I couldn't stand to see me
From your point of view
I knew I'd disappoint you
If I showed to you this child
Who is crying out inside me
Lost in the wild
Chorus
Now inches from the water
About to disappear
I feel you behind me
How did you find me here?
I feel you behind me
Laughing in the water
Wash away the tears
I feel you behind me
How did you find me here?
I feel you behind me
But how did you find me here?
The song "How Did You Find Me Here" by David Wilcox talks about a person's struggle with their emotions, their self-doubt, and their feeling of isolation. The first stanza of the song sets the stage of a lonely night, where the singer realizes that despite having many people around them, they feel alone. The imagery of the footsteps on the shore adds to the pathos of the song, as they thought they saw the person they needed walking away from them. They tried to save themselves with empty words, but even those couldn't save them from drowning in sorrow.
The second stanza explores the reasons for their isolation, and it is revealed that the singer is hiding something from the person they need. They feel that they cannot reveal their true selves, as they will be a disappointment to the person. The last line of the stanza "Lost in the wild" highlights the singer's struggle to find themselves and their place in the world.
The chorus repeats twice, adding to the emotional weight of the song. In the end, the singer question how the person they need found them, even though they were hiding.
Overall, "How Did You Find Me Here" talks about the struggle of isolation, the need for companionship, and the fear of rejection. It is a powerful song that touches on themes that are relatable to everyone.
Line by Line Meaning
The night I fell in sorrow
During a time of emotional pain and distress
I knew I was alone
Feeling isolated and without support
A dozen good-time friendships
Having many acquaintances and casual relationships
But my heart is still unknown
Despite social interaction, true emotional intimacy is lacking
I thought I saw your footsteps
A glimmer of hope that a desired person is present
In the sand along the shore
Symbolizing the transient nature of life and relationships
And I mumbled empty phrases
Attempting to articulate emotions but feeling disconnected
That sang so well before
Using past experiences as a reference point to express current emotions
Now inches from the water
At the brink of something potentially dangerous or life-altering
About to disappear
Feeling like existence is tenuous or in peril
I feel you behind me
A comforting sense of not being totally alone in a difficult moment
How did you find me here?
Expressing surprise and gratitude for unexpected support
I couldn't reach for rescue
Feeling helpless and unable to solve one's own problems
I hid myself from you
Fearful of vulnerability and rejected by others
I couldn't stand to see me
Avoiding self-reflection and harsh self-judgment
From your point of view
Seeing oneself through another's eyes and fearing rejection
I knew I'd disappoint you
Low self-worth and expecting disapproval from others
If I showed to you this child
Revealing inner turmoil and vulnerability
Who is crying out inside me
Experiencing emotional pain and unmet needs
Lost in the wild
Feeling directionless and without guidance
Laughing in the water
A sense of joy and contentment despite difficult circumstances
Wash away the tears
Catharsis, release of pent-up emotions
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID PATRICK WILCOX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
T Tiger
This was my first David Wilcox album and, probably my fav. Love him. LOVE THIS ALBUM. If you have never seen David in concert, you are missing something special. I sing and play guitar, so, this album really touched my heart. Thank you, David, for doing this.
saulo747
One of my top albums ever; a blessed job and unique piece of beauty. Congratulations from Barcelona
Manfred Lankes
You are so right.This album is so outstanding.Greetings from Germany.
Vash1585
These quarantine concerts have been such a blessing. Thank you!
John Linz
I first heard this in college in 1995. I met David at a concert at UNCG as our campus ministry group helped him unload and set up for a concert on campus. Years later, Language of the Heart became my wedding song. This troubadour has locked a special place in my life and his words and music have been part of my life’s soundtrack. Thank you David!
Bernie Tonning
This album has always just moved me. Chills and tears through out. My wife and I saw you a few times in Colorado back in the day and to watch you play this album was beautiful, mesmerizing and we were just moved to tears! So thank you David for doing this and helping to take our minds back to a place and time of joy and beauty! Peace and love always.
aliyamoon80
This was lovely! Thank you so much for sharing this, David! I was introduced to your music a few decades ago by a dear friend, and this concert is a special treat! Your music is a constant presence in my life. Thank you so much!
Quentin Jones
A huge fan of yours for more than 20 years. Hearing this album, this way? Magic. Incredible. Could go on for ever with adjectives that will fall so far short . Thank you this is a gift. Just the best. ❤️
330capt
I've been listening to you David, since 1988. First time in Minneapolis, the old (long gone) Guthrie Theatre.... I've enjoyed your guitar, voice, smile, stories and Spirit for over 30 years now. I bid you a humble thank you. Blessings.
Dewey's Wholeistic Living
Just found out about you today, but I love your music so far! Thank you for the great tunes 👍