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.
It's a Funny Thing
Edwyn Collins Lyrics
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A funny phase I'm going through
As I drift through space
Nothing left to cling to
Don't think me morose
I've always been a tryer
Now here's what I propose
I gonna take you higher
It's a funny thing
I'm wondering what tomorrow might bring
If it's more of the same
I've only got myself to blame
That's a funny thing
It's a funny world
When you drift above it
An opalescent pearl
I could grow to love it
IfI fall from grace
Will I land upon my feet?
Now I've acquired a taste
The air up here seems oh so sweet
And that's a funny thing
I'm wondering what tomorrow might bring
If it's more of the same
I've only got myself to blame
That's a funny thing
It's a funny thing
Don't think me morose
I've always been a tryer
Now here's what I propose
I gonna take you higher
It's a funny thing
Such a funny thing
In Edwyn Collins's song "It's a Funny Thing," the singer expresses his fascination with the unknown and his willingness to take risks. He starts the song by acknowledging that he is going through a strange phase in his life, and he feels like he is drifting through space. He then assures the listener that he is not feeling sad, but he has always been someone who tries new things. The singer then proposes that he wants to take the listener higher, indicating his desire to share his experiences and uplift others.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "it's a funny thing" several times, which suggests that the singer is reflecting on the irony of life and how unpredictable it can be. He wonders what tomorrow might bring and whether it will be more of the same. He then takes responsibility for his life and accepts that if he doesn't like what he sees, he has only himself to blame.
The second verse of the song continues the theme of the unknown but with a different perspective. The singer describes himself as being above the world, looking down on it as an opalescent pearl that he could grow to love. He questions what will happen if he falls from grace and whether he will land on his feet. He then concludes that he has acquired a taste for the air up there, which seems so sweet.
Overall, "It's a Funny Thing" is a song about embracing the unknown and taking risks in life. The singer acknowledges that life can be unpredictable and sometimes even ironic, but he is determined to rise above it and make the best of every situation.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a funny thing
Life has a peculiar way of twisting and turning
A funny phase I'm going through
I am currently experiencing a curious and unusual time in my life
As I drift through space
As I go through life with no clear direction
Nothing left to cling to
I have nothing to hold onto to anchor me down
Don't think me morose
Do not perceive me as being overly gloomy
I've always been a tryer
I've always been very determined and a hard worker
Now here's what I propose
Here's what I want to do
I gonna take you higher
I am going to help you achieve greater things
I'm wondering what tomorrow might bring
I am curious about what the future holds
If it's more of the same
If things continue as they are
I've only got myself to blame
It's my responsibility to make a change
It's a funny world
Life is full of unexpected surprises and contradictions
When you drift above it
When you rise above the world's problems and struggles
An opalescent pearl
The world can be a beautiful and precious thing
I could grow to love it
I could come to appreciate and cherish it
IfI fall from grace
If I make a mistake
Will I land upon my feet?
Will I be able to recover?
Now I've acquired a taste
I have come to appreciate something I initially didn't like
The air up here seems oh so sweet
The higher vantage point is very appealing
Such a funny thing
Life can be very amusing and ironic
Contributed by Ella F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.