Isakov has been described by Boulder Weekly, "Strong, subtle, a lyrical genius" and has been compared to his influences; Bruce Springsteen, Kelly Joe Phelps, Iron & Wine and Gillian Welch. Isakov's humble presence and his overwhelming voice and guitar style has been treasured by an ever-growing and captivated fan base.
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Isakov immigrated to the States with his family and grew up in the Philadelphia area. He started touring at the age of 16 with his first band. In 1999 he sought out his solo acoustic roots and moved to Colorado where he now resides.
Isakov has been taking on the folk music scene with his 2003 release "Rust Colored Stones" LP and his 2005 release "Songs For October". Isakov's song-craft lends to the deepest lyrical masterpieces, and his live performance has been known to quiet and shake the biggest rooms.
Isakov has shared the stage with numerous touring artists such as Rodrigo y Gabriela, Alexi Murdoch, and Fiona Apple. He has performed throughout the United States, playing numerous music festivals such as Falcon Ridge Folk Fest, Rocky Mountain Folks Fest and Southpark Music Festival. Isakov has toured solo and with his band "The Freight".
In 2007, Gregory was named "Best Male Singer-Songwriter" by Westword Magazine.
Subsequent albums have included That Sea, The Gambler (2007), This Empty Northern Hemisphere (2009), The Weatherman (2013), Evening Machines (2018).
All Shades of Blue
Gregory Alan Isakov Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you're all run out
And all of your high hopes have all headed south
And the songs left the stable and they never came home
And there ain't no forgetting that you're out on your own
Turned the scrub oaks to timber and you're left without friends
And you don't put your book down even after it ends
And your heart's worn the handle of an old pushing broom
Broken bottles shine just like stars, make a wish anyway
Just your smile lit a sixty-watt bulb in my house
That was darkened for days
Been thinking you probably should stay
When the going is long gone
And the kick drum won't kick
When you fumble with your fiddle and you're fresh out of tricks
And the horseflies are biting but the fish never do
And your heart's a thousand colors but they're all shades of blue
Broken bottles shine just like stars
Make a wish anyway
Just your smile lit a sixty-watt bulb in my house
That was darkened for days
Been thinking you probably should stay
Yeah, I think that you probably should stay
And our dreams on the windowsill
See those trees turning gold in the hills
The lyrics to Gregory Alan Isakov's song "All Shades of Blue" portray a feeling of loneliness and despair. The wine that once numbed the pain has stopped working, and hope has vanished. The songs, which were once a source of comfort, have gone missing, and with no friends around, the singer is left alone with his thoughts. Despite everything, the singer can't help but make a wish upon broken bottles, hoping that things will get better. The presence of someone special, who has the power to light up the singer's world with just a smile, is what keeps him going. The singer urges this special someone to stay with him, even when life gets tough.
As the song goes on, we get the sense that the singer is a musician struggling to find inspiration. He talks about how the kick drum won't kick and how he's fresh out of tricks with his fiddle. Even the beauty of nature around him, with the trees turning gold in the hills, can't seem to shake off the melancholy that has taken over him. However, he's still hopeful that things will get better, and he urges the special someone to stay and keep him company through the trials and tribulations of life.
"All Shades of Blue" is a touching song that reminds us of the importance of having someone to lean on during the tough times. It highlights the power of human connection and the hope that it can bring.
Line by Line Meaning
When the wine stops working
When alcohol no longer numbs your pain
And you're all run out
And you've exhausted all your options
And all of your high hopes have all headed south
And your aspirations have been dashed
And the songs left the stable and they never came home
And your creativity has deserted you
And there ain't no forgetting that you're out on your own
And you can't help but feel alone
Turned the scrub oaks to timber and you're left without friends
You've lost touch with your old friends
And you don't put your book down even after it ends
You find solace in reading
Smoke curls up from the table in your quiet little room
You're smoking and pondering in solitude
And your heart's worn the handle of an old pushing broom
Your heart is tired of sweeping up the mess of life
Broken bottles shine just like stars, make a wish anyway
Even in the midst of destruction, keep hope alive
Just your smile lit a sixty-watt bulb in my house
Your happiness has the power to brighten others' lives
That was darkened for days
That were previously filled with sadness
Been thinking you probably should stay
I want you to stay with me
When the going is long gone
When things seem hopeless
And the kick drum won't kick
And everything seems out of rhythm
When you fumble with your fiddle and you're fresh out of tricks
When you feel like you've lost your talent or creativity
And the horseflies are biting but the fish never do
When things just keep going wrong
And your heart's a thousand colors but they're all shades of blue
Even though you feel deeply, it's all sorrow and pain
And our dreams on the windowsill
Our hopes and aspirations are still present
See those trees turning gold in the hills
We can still find beauty and hope in the world
Been thinking you probably should stay
I want you to stay with me
Yeah, I think that you probably should stay
I really hope that you stay with me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mike Modelle
on Time Will Tell
A Kansas wheat farmer wonders and worries about the price he will get for his bushels as they pour into some commercial silo.