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.
Testing Time
Edwyn Collins Lyrics
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Should I run to you like a broken man
My cap in my left hand my heart in my right
It seems to me, that the end's in sight
It's a testing time, yes it's a testing time
And I can't see the reason nor the rhyme
In this testing time
In September the storm clouds gathered
Now the ill winds are howling a-fowling the air
With a lump in my throat, a tear in my eye
I'd give anything to put paid to this lie
It's a testing time, yes it's a testing time
And I can't see the reason nor the rhyme
In this testing time
It's a testing time, yes it's a testing time
And I can't see the reason nor the rhyme
In this testing time
It's a testing time, yes it's a testing time
And I can't see the reason nor the rhyme
In this testing time
It's a testing time, yes it's a testing time
And I can't see the reason nor the rhyme
In this testing time
It's a testing time, yes it's a testing time
And we're laying our lives on the line
In this testing time
The song "Testing Time" by Edwyn Collins seems to be about a difficult period in the singer's life. He seems to be uncertain about where he stands and whether he should seek help from someone he loves, but who may have hurt him in the past. He describes himself holding his cap in his left hand and his heart in his right, which could mean that he is feeling vulnerable and open to being hurt again. Despite this, he feels that the end is in sight, which suggests that he has come to some kind of decision about what to do.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "It's a testing time" several times, emphasizing the difficult situation that the singer is in. He also says that he can't see the reason or the rhyme in this testing time, which could indicate that he is struggling to understand why he is going through this difficult period. In the second verse, he describes the storm clouds gathering and the ill winds howling, which creates a sense of foreboding and danger.
Overall, the song seems to be about a period of uncertainty and difficulty in the singer's life. Although he doesn't provide specific details about what he's going through, the lyrics convey a sense of vulnerability and fear. The repeated chorus emphasizes that this is a difficult time that he must endure, while the verses suggest that he is struggling to find his way through it.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm uncertain where I stand
I am unsure about my position and what I should do
Should I run to you like a broken man
Should I come to you for help and support like a defeated and powerless person
My cap in my left hand my heart in my right
With my head down and my heart heavy
It seems to me, that the end's in sight
I feel that the end of this situation is approaching and things are not looking good
In September the storm clouds gathered
The trouble started in September and it has been building up since then
Now the ill winds are howling a-fowling the air
The situation has worsened and the atmosphere is filled with negativity and danger
With a lump in my throat, a tear in my eye
I feel emotional and tearful
I'd give anything to put paid to this lie
I am willing to do whatever it takes to expose the truth and put an end to the deceit
And we're laying our lives on the line
We are putting ourselves in serious danger or taking big risks to get through this difficult time
It's a testing time, yes it's a testing time
This is a challenging and trying period
And I can't see the reason nor the rhyme
I cannot understand why this is happening or make sense of it
In this testing time
Throughout this challenging situation
Contributed by Max T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.