On 27 April 2006, a track from Bradfield's debut solo album entitled "That's No Way To Tell a Lie" premiered on Janice Long's show on Radio 2.
Bradfield played three dates in late May 2006 (Manchester Roadhouse, King Tut's Glasgow and London Barfly) to offer fans a chance to preview his new solo material. He also played a couple of Manic Street Preachers songs such as "Ocean Spray" (to which he contributed the lyrics, a first for him), as well as "This Is Yesterday".
Released as a single on the 10th July 2006, "That's No Way To Tell a Lie" charted at number 18.
His solo album "The Great Western" was released on Columbia Records on 24th July 2006 and reached number 22 in the Album Chart. He also has enlisted the help of Super Furry Animals drummer Daf Ieuen to provide drums for the track "Run Romeo Run". Manic Street Preachers bassist and lyricist Nicky Wire provides lyrics for the track "Bad Boys and Painkillers". The album also includes a cover of Jacques Brel's "To See a Friend In Tears".
He also wrote the score for the August 2016 horror film The Chamber, which was released as a soundtrack album in March 2017. It is his first (and so far only) foray into movie soundtracks.
After well over a decade, Bradfield announced his second solo album entitled "Even In Exile", based on the life of Chilean artist Víctor Jara, to be released in August of 2020.
Summer Wind
James Dean Bradfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It lingered there, so warm and fair - to walk with me
All summer long, we sang a song - and strolled on golden sand
Two sweethearts, and the summer wind
Like painted kites, those days and nights - went flyin by
The world was new, beneath a blue - umbrella sky
Then softer than, a piper man - one day it called to you
The autumn wind, and the winter wind - have come and gone
And still the days, those lonely days - go on and on
And guess who sighs his lullabies - through nights that never end
My fickle friend, the summer wind
The lyrics of James Dean Bradfield's "Summer Wind" evoke nostalgia and longing for a past love that was once enjoyed in carefree summer days. The song begins by describing the arrival of the summer wind blowing "in from across the sea", which sets the scene for the romantic setting for the two sweethearts to walk on "golden sand" and sing a song together. The lyrics paint a picture of happiness and the joys of young love. However, in the next verse, we are abruptly reminded that the summer days are fleeting, and so is the relationship. The lyrics describe how the wind that was once a companion has become an enemy as it blows the loved one away, and the relationship comes to an end. In the final verse, the lyrics suggest that time has passed, the other seasons have come and gone, but the singer is still haunted by the memory of what was lost with the departure of the summer wind. The song is a poignant reminder of the transience of life and the inevitability of change, and how the memories of the past can continue to influence and affect us, even long after they are gone.
"Summer Wind" is a song written by the German composer Heinz Meier and lyricist Hans Bradtke in 1965. It was first performed by Wayne Newton and later became a hit for Frank Sinatra. James Dean Bradfield's version was included in his debut solo album "The Great Western" which was released in 2006.
Line by Line Meaning
The summer wind, came blowin in - from across the sea
The summer wind arrived from the sea and began blowing.
It lingered there, so warm and fair - to walk with me
The wind stayed, providing a warm atmosphere for me as I walked.
All summer long, we sang a song - and strolled on golden sand
During the entire summer season, we happily sang and walked on the yellow-sand beach.
Two sweethearts, and the summer wind
The gentle wind became a constant companion to my love and me.
Like painted kites, those days and nights - went flyin by
The summer days felt and moved quickly like beautifully colored, soaring kites.
The world was new, beneath a blue - umbrella sky
In the summer season, the sky was blue and awning-like, representing a fresh start in the world.
Then softer than, a piper man - one day it called to you
The wind's melody was quieter than a flutist's but called out to my lover one day.
And I lost you, to the summer wind
The wind took my lover away, and I lost him.
The autumn wind, and the winter wind - have come and gone
As the seasons changed, autumn and winter came and went.
And still the days, those lonely days - go on and on
Despite seasons changing, the lonely days still persist.
And guess who sighs his lullabies - through nights that never end
I am the one who sighs lullabies during the unceasing nights.
My fickle friend, the summer wind
Despite its presence during my summer with my lover, the wind is a fickle friend who took my love away from me.
Contributed by Aiden V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.