Between 1987 and 1996, Either/Orchestra released six CDs on Gershon's Accurate Records label: Dial "E" (1987), Radium (1988), The Half Life of Desire (1990), The Calculus of Pleasure (1992), The Brunt (1994), and Across the Omniverse (1996), a ten-year retrospective of previously unreleased material.
Gershon trumpeter Tom Halter and trombonist Russell Jewell are present throughout all of these recordings; alto/baritone saxophonist Charlie Kohlhase is also an important ongoing E/O member who made his first appearance on Radium. As the band underwent various personnel changes during its first decade, several noted musicians came and went, including keyboardist John Medeski, drummer Matt Wilson, trombonists Josh Roseman and Curtis Hasselbring, and saxophonist Andrew D'Angelo.
Grey
Either/Orchestra Lyrics
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Devenir gris
One man on a lonely platform
One case sitting by his side
Two eyes staring cold and silent
Show fear as he turns to hide
Aah, we fade to grey (fade to grey)
Un homme dans une gare isolée
Une valise a ses cotés
Des yeux fixes et froids
Montre de la peur lorsqu'il
Se tourne pour se cacher
Aah, we fade to grey (fade to grey)
Aah, we fade to grey (fade to grey)
Sent la pluie comme un été Anglais
Entends les notes d'une chanson lointaine
Sortant de derriere d'un poster
Espérant que la vie ne fut aussi longue
Aah, we fade to grey (fade to grey)
Aah, we fade to grey (fade to grey)
Feel the rain like an English summer
Hear the notes from a distant song
Stepping out from a back shop poster
Wishing life wouldn't be so long
Devenir gris
Aah, we fade to grey (fade to grey)
Aah, we fade to grey (fade to grey)
Aah, we fade to grey (fade to grey)
Devenir gris
Aah, we fade to grey (fade to grey)
Devenir gris
Aah, we fade to grey (fade to grey)
Aah, we fade to grey (fade to grey)
Devenir gris
Aah, we fade to grey (fade to grey)
Aah, we fade to grey (fade to grey)
The lyrics of "Grey" by Either/Orchestra evoke a sense of loneliness and introspection through vivid imagery and emotional depth. The repetition of "Devenir gris" which means "becoming grey" in French, sets the tone for the song, hinting at a transformation or fading away of emotions or experiences. The opening lines describe a solitary man on a desolate platform with a suitcase, his eyes betraying a sense of fear and vulnerability as he tries to conceal his emotions. This sets the stage for a narrative of isolation and internal struggle.
As the lyrics progress, the themes of isolation and melancholy deepen with references to the English summer rain and the distant sound of a song. The image of a poster with hidden depths symbolizes a longing for something more, a desire for a life that is not weighed down by the passage of time. The juxtaposition of the English summer rain and the distant music creates a poignant atmosphere of yearning and nostalgia.
The repeated refrain of "Aah, we fade to grey" conveys a sense of inevitability and resignation, as if the singer is succumbing to the overwhelming emotions and uncertainties within. The repetition serves to emphasize the gradual fading of colors and emotions into a monochromatic existence, symbolizing a loss of vibrancy and vitality. The lyrics capture a poignant moment of reflection and acceptance, as the singer navigates through feelings of disillusionment and the passage of time.
Overall, "Grey" by Either/Orchestra is a poignant reflection on the human experience, exploring themes of isolation, yearning, and the inevitability of change. The haunting imagery and emotive language paint a vivid portrait of inner turmoil and the desire for meaning amidst a world that seems to be fading away. The song resonates with listeners through its raw emotion and introspective journey, inviting them to contemplate their own struggles and search for connection in a world that can often feel cold and distant.
Line by Line Meaning
One man on a lonely platform
A solitary figure waiting at a desolate train station
One case sitting by his side
A suitcase placed next to him
Two eyes staring cold and silent
Eyes that show a chilling and mute expression
Show fear as he turns to hide
Displaying fear as he tries to conceal himself
Feel the rain like an English summer
Sense the rain similar to a British summertime
Hear the notes from a distant song
Listen to the melody of a faraway tune
Stepping out from a back shop poster
Emerging from a poster in the background of a store
Wishing life wouldn't be so long
Expressing a desire for life to be shorter
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Chris Payne, Midge Ure, Billy Currie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind