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.
Bored
Edwyn Collins Lyrics
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And if you see me down, walk away, walk away
I can hear it in your voice, in your voice
I can feel it in your heart, in your heart
And if you want to go
Then I'll let you go now, you don't have to stay
Sometimes I get tired
I see it in the sky, I'll see it in your eyes
The point I'm trying to make is
I'm changing my mind
The politics of life are obscure
I can sense it in your smile, in your smile
I can touch it from afar, from afar
Someday soon I'll leave this City
Someday soon I'll find a new place
Back to the country, the scenic life
Where I intend to cut myself off
And if you want to go
Then I'll let you go now, you don't have to stay
Sometimes I get tired
And I know you've got to find your own way
I see it in the sky, I'll see it in your eyes
The song "Bored" by Edwyn Collins explores the emotions of homesickness and being stuck in a rut. The opening lines of the song, "I can hardly taste the wine, I'm homesick", set the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is feeling disconnected from their current situation and yearning for something else. As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer is at a crossroads in their life - they are tired of their current circumstances and are considering leaving to find something new.
The repeated refrain of "walk away" is a message to those around the singer - if they are not interested in helping them through this transition, then they should leave. The verses are filled with observations - the singer can hear the reluctance in someone's voice, feel their emotions, and sense their smile. These observations are a reflection of the singer's emotional intelligence and their understanding of the people around them.
The final verse is the most telling - the singer is planning on leaving the city and going back to the country to "cut [themselves] off". This is a clear indication that the singer is feeling overwhelmed by their current lifestyle and needs to make a change. Overall, "Bored" is a very introspective song that explores themes of change, growth, and the importance of following your own path.
Line by Line Meaning
I can hardly taste the wine, I'm homesick
I feel so distant and disconnected that even the taste of wine, which is usually enjoyable, is dull and lackluster. My attachment to home and longing for familiar surroundings only exacerbates this feeling of detachment.
And if you see me down, walk away, walk away
If you notice me in a low or negative state, don't try to help me or cheer me up, because I don't want to burden or bother you with my problems.
I can hear it in your voice, in your voice
Your tone and inflection reveal underlying emotions or meanings, even if you aren't explicitly stating them.
I can feel it in your heart, in your heart
I sense and interpret the emotions you're experiencing or the emotional states you're carrying, whether they're positive or negative.
And if you want to go
Then I'll let you go now, you don't have to stay
If you feel like leaving or disengaging from our relationship, I won't try to stop you or convince you to stay. I accept that we may be on different paths or have different priorities.
Sometimes I get tired
And I know you've got to find your own way
I feel exhausted or drained from the current state of my life, and I understand that you need to pursue your own path or journey, even if it's separate from mine.
I see it in the sky, I'll see it in your eyes
I can predict or sense upcoming changes or events by observing environmental cues, such as the sky, and by interpreting your facial expressions and body language.
The point I'm trying to make is
I'm changing my mind
The politics of life are obscure
I'm trying to convey that my thoughts or opinions are in flux or undergoing transformation. The complexity and opacity of life's systems or structures make it difficult to discern a clear or stable path forward.
I can sense it in your smile, in your smile
I can touch it from afar, from afar
I can discern or interpret the emotions or states behind your smile, even if they're not immediately apparent. And even when we're physically separated or distant, I can still sense or perceive emotional or psychological shifts.
Someday soon I'll leave this City
Someday soon I'll find a new place
Back to the country, the scenic life
Where I intend to cut myself off
I plan to leave my current city and relocate to a more rural, serene setting. This move is a way to disconnect and isolate myself from the noise and chaos that currently dominate my life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JONATHAN ANDREW PIERCE, EDWYN STEPHEN COLLINS, CONNOR JOSEPH HANWICK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind