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.

If Ever You're Ready
Edwyn Collins Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

And as for my pride
I've cast it aside
Cause it don't matter none
When you're ripped up inside
And I've heard that you're confused
But I'm not asking you to choose

Whenever you're ready

To come back to me
Well just call me and immediately
I'll drop what I'm doing
Whenever you're ready
If ever you're ready
Whenever you're ready
If ever you're ready

Now all's said and done
And I've nothing to prove
So I'll leave it to you
To make the next move
So let patience be my guide
To soothe this pain inside

Whenever you're ready
To come back to me
Well just call me and immediately
I'll drop what I'm doing
Whenever you're ready
If ever you're ready
Whenever you're ready
If ever you're ready
Whenever you're ready
If ever you're ready
Whenever you're ready
Whenever you're ready
If ever you're ready
Whenever you're ready
If ever you're ready
Whenever you're ready

If ever you're ready
Whenever you're ready

Overall Meaning

In Edwyn Collins's song "If Ever You're Ready," the singer is expressing their willingness to take back someone who has left them. They acknowledge that they have cast aside their own pride to make room for the other person to return. Though they've heard that the person is confused, they're not asking for a decision to be made immediately. Rather, they're simply waiting for the other person to become ready, and when they do, the singer will be there, dropping everything to be with them again.

The song speaks volumes about the nature of love and relationships. It illustrates the sacrifices that are often made in pursuit of love, and how pride can get in the way of happiness. The singer is willing to put their own feelings aside because they believe in the value of the relationship. Yet, they also know that they are not responsible for the other person's readiness. Patience is key.

Overall, "If Ever You're Ready" is a lyrical representation of what it takes to make a relationship work. It requires selflessness, patience, and a willingness to wait for the other person to catch up. The end result is worth the wait, as it can provide a deep connection that can withstand the ups and downs of life.

Line by Line Meaning

And as for my pride
I have let go of my ego

I've cast it aside
I abandoned it completely

Cause it don't matter none
It is insignificant now

When you're ripped up inside
When you're emotionally hurt

And I've heard that you're confused
I've been told you're uncertain

But I'm not asking you to choose
But I don't want to pressure you

Now all's said and done
Everything that needed to be said has been said

And I've nothing to prove
I have nothing to demonstrate

So I'll leave it to you
I'll entrust it to you

To make the next move
To decide what happens next

So let patience be my guide
I will rely on patience