Like it Like That Sebastian's 5th studio album was released on 23 October 2009. There are presently two singles released which are #1 ranked Like it Like That 2 x platinum and #8 ranked Art of Love (Feat. Jordin Sparks) Gold. Penning all tracks on this album, Sebastian's songwriting skills are as strong as his rich soulful voice which are influenced by the genres of soul, Rhythm and Blues and Pop. John Mayer plays on and provides backing vocals on three tracks with a guitar solo on the track Fail to Mention.
Early in 2007, Sebastian travelled to the home of blues, roots and soul - Memphis, Tennessee - to record his fourth album The Memphis Album. The record that took Sebastian back to his roots features legendary guitarist Steve Cropper (of Booker T & The MG’s). Cropper, who co-wrote Otis Redding's soul classic "Dock of The Bay" among other classic Stax/Volt hits played on and produced the album as well as traveling to Australia in 2008 to tour "The Memphis Album' and he brought the MG's with him. Of Guy’s soulful voice Cropper enthuses, “Guy is one of the best singers I’ve ever worked with. He's the voice that we've been looking for.” Two tracks off the album are I've Been Loving You Too long (an Otis Redding classic) and Take Me To The River (an Al Green classic),
Discography
2009 Like it Like That
2007 The Memphis Album
2006 Closer to the Sun
2004 Beautiful Life
2003 Just As I Am
Early Life and becoming inaugural Australian Idol Winner in 2003
Guy Sebastian was born in Klang, Malaysia to a Sri Lankan and Portugese father from Malaysia, and a mother of Portuguese and Irish/Scot descent who had been born and raised in India. He moved to Adelaide, South Australia as a child. Sebastian has never had any formal voice training but was influenced by artists such as Stevie Wonder, Prince, Brian McKnight, Otis Redding and Al Green.
After giving up University studies in medical radiation to concentrate on music, and while working as a recording engineer and a singing teacher, he decided to enter Australian Idol establishing a fanbase and winning praise from the judges, who also made reference to his afro hairstyle, which became a focal part of his image at that time. The Grande final of Australian Idol which was held in Sydney, Australia was the most popular program broadcast in Australia during 2003 and the second most popular non-sporting broadcast in Australian television history.
During the competition is became clear that Sebastian was as an accomplished musician (drums, keyboard, guitar and even a little violin), who created his own arrangements for his songs and that, together with his unique soulful voice and innate rhythm, drew many fans.
Official Website: www.guysebastian.com.au
More information on: Guy Sebastian Wikipedia
Closer To The Sun
Guy Sebastian Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can you tell me when
Did I sign up for this race
There's not an end
And no one wins
Yet you fight to keep the pace
Maybe I'll find a home in the heavens
Hitch a ride on a shooting star
[Chorus]
Leave this place for outer space
We can rent a little house on Venus
And get closer to the sun
There's always light
There is no night
We can watch the earth revolve
There's only friends
And innocence, there'd no conflicts to resolve
Leave behind everything you think matters
Don't delay once you're there you will see
[Chorus]
Welcome aboard, get comfortable
Your maiden journey's just begun
Just close your eyes
Enjoy the ride
We're getting closer to the sun
[Chorus]
Excuse me friend
Can you tell me when
Did I sign up for this race
The lyrics of Guy Sebastian's "Closer To The Sun" suggests a yearning to escape the conflicts and disturbances of life on earth and instead venture into the unknown terrain of outer space. The singer begins by asking a rhetorical question and lamenting about the rat race that life on earth can be sometimes. There's no definite end to this race, and no one really wins, yet everyone is trying to keep the pace. He wishes to leave behind this struggle and chaos and find solace in the heavens, maybe by hitching a ride on a shooting star.
The chorus emphasizes the longing to escape and leave Earth behind by getting closer to the sun. The idea of renting a little house on Venus symbolizes the desire for shelter and refuge far away from Earth. There's no night in space, and the earth can be watched revolving peacefully. The absence of conflicts and the only presence of friendship and innocence make it seem like an idyllic place to be. The singer urges his friend to leave everything that "matters" on earth behind, and not delay in taking the journey that offers an incredible experience.
The song encourages a sense of adventure and exploration, and the lines "welcome aboard, get comfortable, your maiden journey's just begun" depict a feeling of excitement and thrill. The song's overall sentiment touches upon the idea of escapism, urging people to break free from the mundane and seek a sense of solace and adventure in the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
Excuse me friend
Asking someone to let me know something in a polite manner
Can you tell me when
Requesting information about when something started
Did I sign up for this race
Questioning if I willingly got into a competition where there is no end and no possibility of winning
There's not an end
Pointing out that there is no finish line in this race
And no one wins
Highlighting that there is no ultimate victor
Yet you fight to keep the pace
Acknowledging that people still continue to try to keep up the race
Maybe I'll find a home in the heavens
Thinking about the possibility of finding sanctuary in the sky
Hitch a ride on a shooting star
Proposing the idea of using a meteor as a means of transportation
There's always light
Reminding that there is always brightness in space
There is no night
Noting that there is no darkness in the cosmos
We can watch the earth revolve
Suggesting that observing Earth rotating from space may be worthwhile
There's only friends
Pointing out that conflict and hostility may not exist in space
And innocence, there'd no conflicts to resolve
Elaborating that there would be ni problems to solve, perhaps implying that life could be simple
Leave behind everything you think matters
Importuning to abandon all possessions which seem to be significant
Don't delay once you're there you will see
Warning not to dawdle, as one will quickly grasp the point
Welcome aboard, get comfortable
Greeting on board, encouraging someone to relax and feel at home
Your maiden journey's just begun
Noting that this is only the beginning of a new adventure
Just close your eyes
Suggesting to shut one's eyes, perhaps indicating that there will be nothing sinister to see
Enjoy the ride
Asking to experience the journey
We're getting closer to the sun
Stating that they are approaching the sun
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CARL DIMATAGA, GUY SEBASTIAN, GARY PINTO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind