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 Dawns On Me
Edwyn Collins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Reckless youth, that's the truth
At twenty one I had a grand conceit
Clarity, simplicity
In my world of darkness nothing's changed
In all my confusion it's still the same
Some day, out there, when I'm older
Looking forward to a better day
There's a choice, a clearer voice
In my mind the sky is turning blue
In the haze, brighter days
In my world of darkness, nothing's changed
In all my confusion, it's still the same
Some day, out there, when I'm older
When I'm wiser, when I'm over the hill
Some day, out there, when I'm older
When I'm wiser, when I'm over the hill
Over the hill, over the hill...
The lyrics of Edwyn Collins's song "It Dawns On Me" reflect the introspective thoughts of an individual looking back on their life and contemplating their future. The opening lines, "Looking back where I used to be, Reckless youth, that's the truth," suggest a sense of regret and nostalgia for a time when the singer was young and carefree. They had grand plans ("At twenty one I had a grand conceit") but with age, they came to realize that the world is not as straightforward as they once thought ("Clarity, simplicity").
The chorus, "Some day, out there, when I'm older, When I'm wiser, when I'm over the hill," implies that the singer hopes to gain wisdom and clarity as they age. They are looking forward to a better future ("Looking forward to a better day"). The lines "In my mind the sky is turning blue, In the haze, brighter days" signify a shift in the singer's perspective. Whereas before they could only see darkness and confusion, they are now beginning to see the possibility of a brighter tomorrow.
The repetition of "Over the hill" in the final lines of the song indicate that the singer has accepted that they are getting older and that time is passing. However, they also suggest that the singer is not afraid of the future and is instead looking forward to what lies ahead.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking back where I used to be
Reflecting on my past experiences
Reckless youth, that's the truth
I was wild and impulsive when I was younger
At twenty one I had a grand conceit
When I was 21, I thought I knew everything
Clarity, simplicity
I believed that everything was straightforward and clear-cut
In my world of darkness nothing's changed
Despite the passage of time, my situation hasn't improved
In all my confusion it's still the same
I'm still just as lost and uncertain as I was before
Looking forward to a better day
Hoping for a brighter future
There's a choice, a clearer voice
I now have a better idea of what I want and how to achieve it
In my mind the sky is turning blue
I feel more optimistic about my future prospects
In the haze, brighter days
Despite the challenges I'm facing, I'm seeing signs of hope
Some day, out there, when I'm older
One day in the future, when I've gained more life experience
When I'm wiser, when I'm over the hill
When I've acquired more wisdom and perspective as I age
Over the hill, over the hill...
Repeating the phrase to emphasize the idea of aging and gaining more experience
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EDWIN COLLINS, ROMEO WILLIAM STODART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind