Edwyn Collins (born 23 August 1959) is a Scottish musician from Edinburgh, … Read Full Bio ↴Edwyn Collins (born 23 August 1959) is a Scottish musician from Edinburgh, Scotland. He formed the Nu-Sonics in 1976, which became Orange Juice in 1979. The group is perhaps best known for the No. 8 hit "Rip it Up", its only UK top 40 single. In 1985, Orange Juice broke up, and he has since then pursued a solo career. Edwyn Collins is best known for his 1994 hit, "A Girl Like You", which was featured in the films Empire Records and Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, and "Magic Piper of Love", a 1997 single which featured on the soundtrack of Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.

Collins' music is mostly electric guitar-driven pop, and his songwriting and vocal delivery range from the acerbicly satirical to the soulfully tender, although he is better known for the former. He built his own studio in 1994 and produced his own third solo album, Gorgeous George. He has also worked as producer with other artists, including The Proclaimers, The Cribs, and Little Barrie. Collins also produced and starred in the Channel 4 sitcom West Heath Yard.

Collins lives with his long term partner, Grace Maxwell, who also manages his career. The couple, who live in London, have one son.

In a BBC 6 Music radio interview on 18 February 2005 Collins had said he felt unwell, but ascribed the nausea and vertigo to food poisoning. Two days later he was admitted to intensive care in London's Royal Free Hospital after apparently suffering a major cerebral haemorrhage. On 25 February he underwent an operation, reportedly after suffering a second haemorrhage. The procedure was successful, and Collins began a lengthy programme of neurological rehabilitation.

Sept 2007 saw the release of Home Again, the first album since his illness. Recorded before Collins’ hospitalisation but only mixed and produced after his recovery, Edwyn worked on the album during his recovery. He was heard to sing a few bars on BBC Radio 4's Front Row, sharing strumming and chord duties with Grace. 'Crap' he said afterwards; some listeners begged to differ.

All My Days
Edwyn Collins Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Left my home for yesteryear
Took a trip to shed my fear
All my life, all my days
Turn to dust, turned away

And I'm trying to comprehend
The force, the fear
I'm willing to accept the good that's near

Through the years there's a choice
To get away, I will someday
All my life, all my days
Turn to dusk, turned away

And I'm trying to comprehend
The force, the fear
I'm willing to accept the good that's near

And I'm trying to comprehend
The force, the fear
I'm willing to accept the course I'll steer

The course I'll steer
The course last year

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Edwyn Collins's song All My Days are a reflection on life's transience and the singer's quest to come to terms with the inevitable passage of time. The song begins with the singer leaving home to shed his fears and confront the unknown that lies ahead. He realizes that all his life and days turn to dust and are eventually forgotten. The sense of uncertainty and fear is palpable as he tries to comprehend the force that drives him in life.

Throughout the years, the singer recognizes that he always has a choice – to stay or to leave. He promises himself that someday he will get away, an effort to embrace change and move forward. He acknowledges that everything he has ever known, all his life and days, will eventually turn to dusk and fade away.

The chorus repeats the singer's attempt to comprehend the force and fear of life, while also acknowledging the presence of good in his life. He strives to accept and navigate the course that he is on, even if it is uncertain and fraught with danger.

Overall, the song is a meditation on the human condition – the fear of uncertainty, the desire for change, and the acceptance of life's challenges.

Line by Line Meaning

Left my home for yesteryear
I left my home in the past to go on an adventure.

Took a trip to shed my fear
I went on a journey to overcome my fear.

All my life, all my days
Throughout my whole life, every day.

Turn to dust, turned away
Everything fades away and is forgotten.

And I'm trying to comprehend
I'm trying to understand.

The force, the fear
The power and the fear that come with life.

I'm willing to accept the good that's near
I'm ready to welcome the good things that come my way.

Through the years there's a choice
Over time, we have the power to choose our path.

To get away, I will someday
I will someday have the chance to escape.

And I'm trying to comprehend
I'm trying to understand.