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.
North of Heaven
Edwyn Collins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you mean to offend me then you're doing pretty well
And how convincingly you've shown me
That the love I thought was built to last is now an empty shell
Things can only get better
What's around the corner, who can tell?
I'll build a little place just north of heaven
Don't assume you can ignore me
You'd best bite your lip in case I make it after all
And how contemptuously you've shown me
That all my aspirations were so paltry and so small
Things can only get better
What's around the corner, who can tell?
I'll build a little place just north of heaven
I'm kinda tired of living south of hell
Some mother's talking 'bout Guns 'n' Roses
As if I give a fuck, at best I think they suck
I'm too preoccupied with my memories
Not non-entities
Things can only get better
What's around the corner, who can tell?
I'll build a little place just north of heaven
I'm kinda tired of living south of hell
I'm kinda tired of living south of hell
I'm kinda tired of living
The lyrics of Edwyn Collins's song "North of Heaven" are full of defiance and determination. The singer is addressing someone who has wronged them in the past and is now trying to act as if they don't know them. The singer is not fooled by this and even suggests that the person is trying to offend them. However, the singer is also showing a desire to move on from the hurt and build a new life for themselves. They are determined to make a better future for themselves and leave behind the pain of the past.
The lyrics are full of hope for the future, with lines like "Things can only get better" and "What's around the corner, who can tell?" indicating that the singer is optimistic about what lies ahead. They are determined to "build a little place just north of heaven" and escape the metaphorical hell they have been living in. The repeated line "I'm kinda tired of living south of hell" sums up the singer's frustration with their current situation and the way they have been treated.
The lines "Some mother's talking 'bout Guns 'n' Roses, as if I give a fuck, at best I think they suck" show that the singer is focused on more important things than trivial gossip and pop culture. They are too preoccupied with their memories and their own aspirations to worry about what other people think of a popular band. This reinforces the idea that the singer is determined to forge their own path and not be swayed by the opinions of others.
Overall, "North of Heaven" is a song about resilience and determination in the face of adversity. The singer has been hurt in the past but is determined to move on and make a better life for themselves. They are not interested in petty distractions and are focused on building a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't pretend that you don't know me
Don't act like we never had a connection
If you mean to offend me then you're doing pretty well
You have succeeded in hurting me
And how convincingly you've shown me
You have effectively revealed the truth to me
That the love I thought was built to last is now an empty shell
Our love was once strong, but now it's a lifeless shell of what it used to be
Things can only get better
The future holds promise for improvement
What's around the corner, who can tell?
Uncertainty lies ahead
I'll build a little place just north of heaven
I'm going to create a peaceful, heavenly environment for myself
I'm kinda tired of living south of hell
I'm exhausted from living in misery and pain
Don't assume you can ignore me
You shouldn't think you can neglect me without consequence
You'd best bite your lip in case I make it after all
You should resist the urge to underestimate or criticize me
And how contemptuously you've shown me
You have disrespected and belittled me
That all my aspirations were so paltry and so small
You dismissed my dreams as insignificant and unworthy
Some mother's talking 'bout Guns 'n' Roses
Someone is discussing a band that holds no interest to me
As if I give a fuck, at best I think they suck
I couldn't care less about their music, and at most, I find it terrible
I'm too preoccupied with my memories
I'm too consumed with my recollections of the past
Not non-entities
My memories are significant and meaningful to me
I'm kinda tired of living south of hell
I'm exhausted from living in misery and pain
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: EDWYN STEPHEN COLLINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind