In 1977, Friday was a founder of Virgin Prunes (legendary avant-garde post-punk group). 1987-2005 he composed & performed with, musical partner, Maurice Seezer. He released his 4th solo album CATHOLIC in April 2011.
Gavin Friday & The Man Seezer albums (with Maurice), inc: "Each Man Kills The Thing He Loves" (1989), "Adam 'N' Eve" (1992) & "Shag Tobacco" (1995).
Film scores & soundtracks include Get Rich or Die Tryin', In America, In the Name of the Father, The Boxer, Disco Pigs, Short Cuts and Romeo + Juliet. Gavin worked with producer Hal Willner on the music for director Abel Ferrera's movie Chelsea on the Rocks (2008). He has also collaborated with the English composer Gavin Bryars, setting Shakespeare's sonnets to music.
Stage Shows include the Kurt Weill Extravaganza Ich Liebe Dich, the one man show I didn't come up the Liffey in a bubble and Gavin's tribute to German music, Tomorrow belongs to me.
Gavin Friday played the character Billy Hatchet in Neil Jordan's film Breakfast in Pluto (2006). He recorded three songs for the film, two of which are featured on the soundtrack album: 'Sand' and 'Wig Wam Bam'.
Sites: Discogs, YouTube and Official Site
Melancholy Baby
Gavin Friday Lyrics
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Who will know when the rains will start?
My baby broke her promise, should I be upset?
Daylight says remember...moonlight forget.
Beauty disguises what it's holding back
Some days when her eyes shine, her thoughts are black
Like a little child she can do no wrong
"meanwhile baby!... oh! sweet baby!"
Night's scent is her presence, night's secret her face.
I speak when she's sleeping, silent when she wakes.
Clouds gather and darken, our future foretell
Rains comin' often and loves a brief spell
Like the saddest word, she awaits her song
And I'll pick her up each time she falls down
"meanwhile baby!... oh! sweet baby!
We've got a lot to learn about love in this life...
My melancholy baby"
In the palm of my hand, I'll hold a little you
I'll put you in my pocket when you're feelin' blue
Zing zing a zang go the strings of my heart
Cling cling a clang I'll never let you part
Oh! sweet baby!
In Gavin Friday's Melancholy Baby, we hear the narrative of someone who is struggling with a relationship that is complicated, uncertain and often disappointing. The lyrics suggest that the relationship is affected by external factors that are beyond the control of the singer. Indeed, the opening line of the song, "Come a change of weather, comes a chang of heart," suggests that the emotional state of the singer is intimately tied to the external environment. The lyrics suggest that the singer is at a loss as to when it may rain, much like he is uncertain when his lover's mood may change. The refrain, "meanwhile baby!... oh! sweet baby!" seems to express a sense of resignation, as if the singer is acknowledging that, despite the challenges of their relationship, he still cares deeply for his lover.
The second and third verses of the song explore the singer's sense of awe and frustration with his lover's mercurial mood. He is struck by her beauty, but wonders about the darkness he perceives in her thoughts. The simile "like a little child she can do no wrong" creates an image of innocence and fragility, echoing the refrain "meanwhile baby!... oh! sweet baby!" It is as if the singer sees himself as the protector or parent in the relationship. The final verse of the song moves to a more reflective tone, where the singer accepts the fleeting nature of love, and the inevitability of future storms. However, he is determined to continue to pick up his lover each time she falls, suggesting an admirable sense of loyalty and determination, despite the challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Come a change of weather, comes a chang of heart
When the weather changes, someone's heart may change as well.
Who will know when the rains will start?
It is impossible to know exactly when it will start raining.
My baby broke her promise, should I be upset?
My significant other did not keep their word; should I be angry at them?
Daylight says remember...moonlight forget.
During the day, one may remember things, but at night, they tend to forget them.
Beauty disguises what it's holding back
At times, beauty hides what is being kept from sight
Some days when her eyes shine, her thoughts are black
At times, it seems like everything is going well, but in reality, everything is wrong.
Like a little child she can do no wrong
My significant other can do no wrong, like a child.
And I'll pick her up each time she falls down
I will always be there to help her when she is in need.
"meanwhile baby!... oh! sweet baby!"
"In the meantime, baby! Oh, my sweet baby!"
Night's scent is her presence, night's secret her face.
At night, her presence is evident from smell; her true self is concealed in the dark.
I speak when she's sleeping, silent when she wakes.
I feel more comfortable speaking to her when she is asleep than when she is awake.
Clouds gather and darken, our future foretell
As clouds collect and become darker, they are an omen of things to come for us.
Rains comin' often and loves a brief spell
Rain comes frequently, but love is fleeting.
Like the saddest word, she awaits her song
Similar to a melancholic word, she awaits her song.
In the palm of my hand, I'll hold a little you
I will cherish you to the best of my ability.
I'll put you in my pocket when you're feelin' blue
When you're down, I will cheer you up with the things that make you happy.
Zing zing a zang go the strings of my heart
The sound of my heartstrings is a mix of zing and zang.
Cling cling a clang I'll never let you part
I'll always hold you close and never let you go.
Oh! sweet baby!
Oh! My sweet baby!
"We've got a lot to learn about love in this life...
"We have so much to learn about love in this lifetime...
My melancholy baby"
You are my melancholy baby"
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Mute Song Limited, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: GAVIN FRIDAY, MORRIS ROYCROFT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind