In 2006 Isobel released a collaborative LP (Ballad of the Broken Seas) with former Screaming Trees and Queens of the Stone Age singer Mark Lanegan, a mixture of folk and more rock-orientated music. October 2006 also saw the release of her latest album, Milkwhite Sheets, a more acoustic folk album, consisting of a mixture of traditional songs alonside Isobel's own compositions.
Isobel's band The Gentle Waves released its first album on Jeepster Records, titled The Green Fields of Foreverland, in 1999. The second Gentle Waves record, Swansong For You came out one year later. In 2002, she collaborated with Scottish jazz musician Bill Wells on a collection of Billie Holliday songs, released by Creeping Bent.
In 2003 Campbell released Amorino, the first solo album under her own name, to very good reviews. Bill Wells was featured here again, along with other jazz musicians.
Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan form a unique combination of gruff vocals and dulcet voices. They have released three albums so far: Ballad of the Broken Seas, which received a nomination in the 2006 Mercury Awards, Sunday at Devil Dirt, which was released in May 2008. The album received US release in Fall 2008. And finally their third album Hawk was released in August 2010.
All alone
Isobel Campbell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where's the one from whom I'll never part
First they hurt me, then desert me
I'm left alone, all alone
There's no house that I can call my home
There's no place from which I'll never roam
Town or city, it's a pity
Seek and find they always say
But up to now it's not that way
Maybe fate has let him pass me by
Or perhaps we'll meet before I die
Hearts will open, but until then
I'm left alone, all alone
The lyrics to Isobel Campbell's song "All Alone" depict the feeling of loneliness and the search for love. The singer feels abandoned and hurt, wondering where the love that was meant to fill her heart has gone. She ponders whether fate has let her miss the chance of meeting her significant other or she will get to meet him before she dies. The lyrics showcase the painful journey of waiting for true love and settling into the feeling of being left alone.
The lyrics additionally make use of an upbeat tone, almost bittersweet. The lively instrumentation sets for a contrast to the melancholy of the lyrics. This contrast draws attention to the longing in the lyrics; the singer wishes for companionship while they are lost in their solitude. The repeated phrase "all alone" is very effective in emphasizing the sense of isolation felt by the singer.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was released in 2003 as a part of Isobel Campbell's album "Amorino." The song received critical acclaim from several music publications such as NME, which ranked it 21st on its "Singles of the Year" in 2004. Another fact is that the song showcases Isobel Campbell's signature indie pop-folk music style. Furthermore, the song's lyrics and sound have been characterized as a throwback to the era of '60s French pop.
Line by Line Meaning
Where's the love that's made to fill my heart
I am missing the love that is meant to make me feel complete and whole.
Where's the one from whom I'll never part
I am searching for the one who will always be by my side and never leave me.
First they hurt me, then desert me
People have caused me pain and then abandoned me, leaving me to cope with the aftermath alone.
I'm left alone, all alone
Despite my best efforts, I am still alone and facing struggles on my own.
There's no house that I can call my home
I have never found a place that truly feels like home where I am safe and loved.
There's no place from which I'll never roam
I have never found a place that I am willing to settle in and stay permanently.
Town or city, it's a pity
No matter where I go, I cannot seem to find a place where I fit in or thrive.
I'm left alone, all alone
Despite searching for a place to belong, I remain isolated and alone.
Seek and find they always say
People often tell me to keep searching for what I am missing or need to improve my life.
But up to now it's not that way
Despite my best efforts, I have not been successful in finding what I am looking for.
Maybe fate has let him pass me by
Perhaps the one I have been searching for has already come and gone, and I missed my chance to find them.
Or perhaps we'll meet before I die
There is still hope that I will find the one I am looking for before my life comes to an end.
Hearts will open, but until then
Eventually, I believe that people will become more open and accepting towards me, but until then...
I'm left alone, all alone
I remain alone and struggling, waiting for the love and connection that I so desperately seek.
Contributed by Tristan K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@barrtok
Intimate, dark, and very well arranged, i really dig this short (<20 min) LP. An important transition for Isobel.