"Indiscriminate Act of Kindness", one of Foy’s most popular tracks "live" was featured in the a TV commercial for Great Ormond Street Hospital which was aired in the UK up until Christmas of 2006. Foy often uses alternative tunings for his guitar, for example the song 'Indiscriminate Act of Kindness' he uses the tuning CGDGCe.
Foy has previously released two limited edition EPs on Wurdamouth records; "Live Sessions and the birth of the Toilet tour" and "Watermelon Oranges". His regular piano player is London based composer Jules Maxwell.
At Least My Heart Was Open
Foy Vance Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I know I fucked it up sometimes
But at least my heart was open
You’re the one to cross the line
But you could not go the extra mile
So I did what you were hoping
And at least my heart was open
At least my blood still pumping
I know that it wants sometime burning
I have known your love and I have known your hate
I watched devastate to the grave
Oh, but every moment’s golden
Though our withered arms entwined was not your faith
Why we can’t be lovers, friends or even mates
Well, your chances come right for you
Because every moment’s golden
I did what you were hoping
And at least my heart was open
At least my blood still pumping
I know that it wants sometime
If you get out of this nightmare
Then think to call me to tell me how somebody broke your heart
Don’t try, I won’t be there
Cause when we ended I found somebody knew that I can start with
She’s younger
Her and I, we never really wanna be apart
You’re my craft and so am I
Oh, I was far from you
But I tried to do what I felt was right
And I know I fucked it up sometimes
But at least my heart was open
In "At Least My Heart Was Open" by Foy Vance, the lyrics seem to focus on a romantic relationship gone sour. The first verse tells us that the singer might not have done everything right in the relationship, but they did try their best to follow their heart. The second verse seems to address the other person directly, saying that even though they were the one to cross the line, the singer still tried to do what the other person wanted, and kept their heart open throughout. The lines "Oh, but every moment's golden / Though our withered arms entwined was not your faith" seem to suggest that no matter how much effort the singer put into the relationship, it was ultimately doomed from the start.
The chorus of the song is perhaps the most poignant, repeating the phrase "At least my heart was open" as a reminder that even though things didn't work out, the singer was true to themselves and to their feelings. The lines "If you get out of this nightmare / Then think to call me to tell me how somebody broke your heart / Don't try, I won't be there" are a defiant rejection of the other person's attempts to keep the singer on standby, always waiting for them to come back. Instead, the singer has moved on and found someone new, and is content to let the past stay in the past.
Overall, "At Least My Heart Was Open" is a song that reflects on the ups and downs of love and relationships, and the importance of staying true to oneself even when things don't work out. The lyrics are heartfelt and emotional, and the stripped-down music (just guitar and vocals) adds to the intensity of the performance.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I tried to do what I felt was right
I tried to act according to my personal values and beliefs
And I know I fucked it up sometimes
I acknowledge that I made mistakes
But at least my heart was open
Despite my mistakes, I was emotionally vulnerable and sincere
You’re the one to cross the line
You were the one who violated a boundary or expectation
But you could not go the extra mile
You were unable or unwilling to make an additional effort
So I did what you were hoping
I fulfilled your expectations or desires
And at least my heart was open
I was still emotionally sincere, despite my actions
At least my blood still pumping
I’m still alive and resilient
I know that it wants sometime burning
I recognize that my passion sometimes fuels mistakes or reckless behavior
I have known your love and I have known your hate
I’ve experienced both affection and animosity from you
I watched devastate to the grave
I witnessed the devastating consequences of our relationship
Oh, but every moment’s golden
Despite the hardships, each moment is meaningful and valuable
Though our withered arms entwined was not your faith
Our relationship did not meet your expectations or desires
Why we can’t be lovers, friends or even mates
I’m questioning why we can’t have a positive and fulfilling relationship
Well, your chances come right for you
You have opportunities for happiness and success
I did what you were hoping
I fulfilled your expectations or desires
And at least my heart was open
I was still emotionally sincere, despite my actions
At least my blood still pumping
I’m still alive and resilient
I know that it wants sometime
I recognize that my passion sometimes fuels mistakes or reckless behavior
If you get out of this nightmare
If you escape from a difficult or painful situation
Then think to call me to tell me how somebody broke your heart
If you want to share your experiences of heartbreak with me
Don’t try, I won’t be there
Don’t expect me to be available for support or reassurance
Cause when we ended I found somebody knew that I can start with
After we broke up, I found a new partner
She’s younger
My new partner is younger than you
Her and I, we never really wanna be apart
My new partner and I have a strong bond
You’re my craft and so am I
Our relationship was an art or skill that we both possessed
Oh, I was far from you
I was physically or emotionally distant from you
But I tried to do what I felt was right
I still made an effort to act according to my personal values and beliefs
And I know I fucked it up sometimes
I acknowledge that I made mistakes
But at least my heart was open
Despite my mistakes, I was still emotionally sincere
Contributed by Brayden F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mikeamicone6393
At Least My Heart Was Open
Foy Vance
Well, I tried to do what I felt was right
And I know I fucked it up sometimes
But at least my heart was open
You're the one that crossed the line
But you could not go the extra mile
So I did what you were hoping
And at least my heart was open
At least my blood's still pumping
I know that it wants some time
Burning
I have known your love and I have known your hate
I watched you devastate to liberate
Oh, but every moment's golden
And though our withered arms entwined was not your fate
Now we can't be lovers, friends or even mates
Well, your chance has come unfolding
Because every moment's golden
I did what you were hoping
And at least my heart was open
At least my blood's still pumping
I know that it wants some time
If you get out of this nightmare
And think to call me
To tell me how somebody broke your heart
Don't try, I won't be there
Cause when we ended
I found somebody new that I can start with
She's younger
Her and I, we never really wanna be apart
You're my craft and my sullen art
[Outro]
Oh, I was far from perfect
But I tried to do what I felt was right
And I know I fucked it up sometimes
But at least my heart was open
@bvspencer
These lyrics are wrong. I know you pulled from them from a website, but every website has them wrong. Some websites I've seen even screw up the "watched you devastate to liberate", but at least they're right here.
He's not saying "I know it wants some time." He's saying "I know it won't some time," referring to his blood will eventually stop pumping. And he doesn't say "burning" after that. It's "aye-ah" or a variation of that (or "mmmhmm" in at least one live version). It's "withered hands", not "withered arms." And it's "your chance has come, I'm foldin'", not "unfolding." And as others have said "my craft and my sullen art" is a reference to a Dylan Thomas poem.
So the corrected lyrics (with brackets for variations in other live performances) are:
Well I tried to do what I felt was right
And I know I fucked it up sometimes
But at least my heart was open
And you're the one that crossed the line
But you could not go the extra mile
So I did what you were hopin'
And at least my heart was open
At least my blood's still pumpin'
I know that it won't some time
Aye-ah... [mmmhmmm]
Well I have known your love and I have known your hate
[And] I have watched you devastate to liberate
Ah, but every moment's golden
And though our withered hands entwined was not your [our] fate
[Darlin'] Well now we can't be lovers, friends or even mates
Well, your chance has come, I'm foldin'
Because every moment's golden
I did what you were hoping
And at least my heart was open
And at least my blood's still pumpin'
I know that it won't some time
Aye-ah...
If you get out of this nightmare
And think to call me
To tell me how somebody broke your heart
Don't try, I won't be there
Cause when we ended
I found somebody new that I can start with
She's younger
Her and I, we never really wanna be apart
You're my craft and my sullen art
Oh, I was far from perfect
But I tried to do what I felt was right
And although I fucked it up sometimes
Well at least my heart was open
@theadventuresofsandyland4961
I love Foy Vance, his album got me through a month in hospital with jaundice. His songs are hauntingly beautiful and in the years that have followed, I find myself comforted by the lyrics at difficult times in life 💕
@oldschoolwaverider
"I have watched you devastate to liberate"- wow I can totally relate these lyrics with a special someone!!!
@jasonrogers8398
America needs to hear more of Foy Vance
@someguy9783
Yes my friend 😔
@jennideans
The world...
@highground66
For me it's one of the best songs EVER. :o
@annafischer3618
Such beauty & pain all in one amazing song. Well done, Foy.
@megramos2888
My heart breaks every single time. The ugliest crying 😢
@girlwithpinkhair23
Agreed. This is beautiful and amazing and just WOW!
@andygordgrill6014
Love your songs