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.
Never Felt Like This
Edwyn Collins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A different way of seeing
That I really can't resist
It seems I've stolen every scene
From the carnival of dreams
And I've never felt like this
I've never felt like this
Never felt like this
And ignorance is bliss
There's no point in reminiscing
Now I've found that something missing
In every stolen kiss
I was lost in introspection
I can tell you on reflection
That I've never felt like this
I've never felt like this
Never felt like this
Never felt like this
Never felt like this
What you are is a fallen star
Burning up on a bridge to far
What I am is an also ran
Getting by any way I can
I can because I can
I can't explain exactly how I feel
I only know that the feeling's real
I've never felt like this
What you are is a falling star
The lyrics to Edwyn Collins's song Never Felt Like This express feelings of joy and excitement that are difficult to resist. The opening lines, "It's a higher state of being, a different way of seeing," suggest that the singer has undergone some sort of transformative experience. This experience has given the singer an entirely different perspective on life, one that is impossible to ignore. The next lines, "That I really can't resist, it seems I've stolen every scene," indicate that this new perspective has affected the singer to such a degree that they've become almost intoxicated by it.
The chorus, "I've never felt like this, never felt like this, never felt like this, and ignorance is bliss," drives this point home. The singer has never felt this way before, but they're not worried about it. They're content to bask in this new feeling, even if they don't fully understand it. The second verse expands on this idea, suggesting that the singer has found something missing in their life. They've been lost in introspection, but they've come to some sort of realization that has brought them to this new place of joy.
The bridge, "What you are is a fallen star, burning up on a bridge too far, what I am is an also-ran, getting by any way I can," creates an interesting contrast between the singer and the unnamed "you" in the song. It's not clear who the "you" is or what they represent, but the lines suggest that the "you" has taken on more than they can handle and is on the verge of burning out, while the singer is just happy to be getting by. Overall, the lyrics to Never Felt Like This evoke a powerful sentiment of joy and contentment that is hard to put into words.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a higher state of being
The feeling I have is beyond normal, reaching an elevated level of existence
A different way of seeing
It's a unique perspective that I have never experienced before
That I really can't resist
I can't help but be consumed by this overwhelming feeling
It seems I've stolen every scene
I have taken control of every moment and situation, in a dominating manner
From the carnival of dreams
In comparison to life's unpredictable events, this feeling is like a dreamland
And I've never felt like this
I have never experienced such an intense emotion
There's no point in reminiscing
Reflecting on the past is irrelevant now since I have this newfound emotion
Now I've found that something missing
I have discovered the missing piece of a puzzle that has been incomplete for so long
In every stolen kiss
This feeling is recognizable in every intimate moment
I was lost in introspection
I had been looking inward for so long, trying to find meaning, but I finally have found it
I can tell you on reflection
Looking back, I can confidently say that I've never felt like this before
What you are is a fallen star
You were once brilliant, but now you've lost your shine and are falling apart
Burning up on a bridge too far
You are burning your bridges, going too far and pushing people away
What I am is an also-ran
I may not be the best, but I am still trying to succeed
Getting by any way I can
I am doing my best to survive and achieve my goals
I can because I can
I have the ability to succeed, and I am doing all that I can to make it happen
I can't explain exactly how I feel
As much as I try, I cannot find the right words to describe this overwhelming emotion
I only know that the feeling's real
Despite my inability to fully define this emotion, I know that it is genuine and not imagined
Never felt like this
This emotion is unique and indescribable, like nothing I have ever experienced before
Never felt like this
Reinforcing that this feeling is truly novel and has never been felt before
Never felt like this
Emphasizing once again this is something new and different
And ignorance is bliss
Being unaware of the intensity of this emotion would preferable since it can be overwhelming at times
Contributed by Christopher C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.