November 2015 saw th… Read Full Bio ↴New album TOON TOWN LULLABY released July 2020.
November 2015 saw the release of ALL THE HITS LIVE, an album recorded earlier that year at Perth's Astor Theatre. James released a brand new album THIRTEEN in March 2012, containing the singles English Girls, Capsize and Whatcha Gonna Do About It?
James Reyne came to recognition to the Australian public as lead singer of classic Australian band Australian Crawl in the 1970's. They had a number of hits including "Reckless", "Boys Light Up", "Beautiful People", "Shutdown", "Errol", "Oh No Not You Again" and "Downhearted"
After the band split in 1986, James spent some time in the United States and Europe, returning to Australia in 1987.
His first solo album, "JAMES REYNE" (1987) went triple platinum and included three top 10 singles: "Fall Of Rome", "Hammerhead" and "Motors Too Fast". Other singles from this album included "Always The Way" and "Ript It Up".
In the following years James released more solo albums, "HARD REYNE" (1989) which contaimed the Top 40 singles "House Of Cards", "One More River" and "Trouble In Paradise".
In 1991 James returned with his most successful Australian album "ELECTRIC DIGGER DANDY"(1991), which effortlessly mirrored the success of the first. This album contained the smash hits "Slave", "Any Day Above Ground" and "Some People'", plus a reworking of the Aussie Crawl song "Reckless".
James joined country music star James Blundell and recorded the classic Dingoes song "WAY OUT WEST" which exploded into the number 1 position on the Australian charts in 1992.
He next joined Daryl Braithwaite, Jef Scott and Simon Hussey on the very successful album "THE COMPANY OF STRANGERS" in 1993 which included the top 40 hits "Motor City", "Sweet Love" and "Daddy's Gonna Make You A Star".
James then returned to Los Angeles to record with renowned producer Stewart Levine, arriving back in 1994 with the critically acclaimed CD "THE WHIFF OF BEDLAM". The album was a departure in sound for James and featured a more organic sound, complete with brass section. The album spawned the hits "Red Light Avenue", "Day In The Sun" and the final single "It's Only Natural" in 1995.
While touring the album in Australia and overseas during this period, James released the energetic and profilic double Live album titled LIVE IN RIO, recorded in Brazil. A single "Oh No Not You Again" was featured from this CD.
Throughout his career James has appeared in several and varied theatrical, film and television productions and concert events, the more visible of these including "Return To Eden", "Tina; What's Love Got To Do With It?", television drama "State Coroner" and "The Little Shop Of Horrors" (1996)
While signing to Roadshow Music in 1997, James headed into the studio with famed producer and produced a single "Brand New Emperor's Clothes", to be featured on a forthcoming album.
In 1999 James recorded and released the CD "DESIGN FOR LIVING" with friends and brothers Scott and Brett Kingman. Arguably the most critically applauded album of his career, it further cemented his position as a unique, witty, thoughtful and challenging songwriter and singer. This album featured the singles "Wonderful Today", "Not Waving, Drowning" and the classic live favourite "Reno".
2004 saw the completion of "SPEEDBOATS FOR BREAKFAST", released on Liberation Records. It was a self funded project and saw James break free of the record company restrictions and allowed to him to be in control creatively. Radio-only singles "Bug" and "Rainbows Dead End" were featured on this CD.
Rainbows Dead End Music Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFaXnfZbBAs
As part of the Liberation Blue Accoustic series, James released two highly successgful accoustic albums in recent times. …"AND THE HORSE YOU RODE IN ON"" which allowed James to revisit many of the above titles with little more than a lone acoustic guitar underpinning the most distinctive voice of his generation.
More reworkings of his solo and Australian Crawl material were sounded on "GHOST SHIP" released in 2007.
2007 saw the release of James 8th Studio album. "EVERY MAN A KING" closing a 30-year circle since James first led Australian Crawl into the front line of the Oz rock boom. His eye and pen grew sharper through a platinum-lined solo career, but never have his wit and poignancy been on more consistently solid musical ground than they are here. Stand-out tracks include "Little Man You've Had a Busy Day", "Light In The Tunnel" and "The Postman".
Following a live DVD release in late 2007, titled "One Night In Melbourne", a CD/DVD of the show was available in 2009. The show was filmed and recorded at Melbourne's Palais Theatre and saw James perform 30 songs from his vast catalogue.
One project, titled JAMES REYNE SINGS THE KING has James performing and re-interpreting 14 classic Elvis Presley songs. The album TCB was released in April 2010. A dedicated website has been set up to support the project. http://www.jamesreyneTCB.com
A new album, Thirteen was released in March 2012.
Black And Blue World
James Reyne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never want to talk all night
Never want to feel the heat of battle
Warning warning
Shipmates on icy blue waters
Come be my bride on the sea
She gives me no quarter
Here in this black and blue world
Never make the effort any more
There's no welcome at the door
Desolation angel
Watching waiting
Heaven's always full of black and blue angels
Heaven only helps the ones who help themselves
We don't go calling bruising and balling
Here in our black and blue world
Be my bride
Be my bride
Never want to fight the lonely fight
Never want to talk all night
The lyrics of James Reyne's song Black and Blue World seem to be about not wanting to engage in battles or conflicts, to avoid feeling the heat and pain that comes with it. The verses express a desire for companionship, but also a fear of rejection and isolation. The first verse hints at a reluctance to face a daunting challenge alone, preferring to have someone to share the burden with. The second verse paints a portrait of a sailor looking for a partner, but aware that the sea can be a harsh mistress, offering no mercy.
The chorus, repeated twice, makes clear that the singers of the song are living in a world of darkness and pain, represented by the colors black and blue. They seem resigned to accept their fate and make do with what they have, without seeking external help or salvation. The line "heaven only helps the ones who help themselves" suggests a fatalistic attitude, assuming that no divine intervention will come to their rescue.
Overall, the lyrics of Black and Blue World convey a sense of resignation and acceptance of a harsh reality, tempered by a longing for connection and companionship.
Line by Line Meaning
Never want to fight the lonely fight
I don't want to struggle alone, with no one by my side. I need someone to rely on.
Never want to talk all night
I don't want to have to talk for hours on end just to feel understood. Why can't things be easier?
Never want to feel the heat of battle
I don't want to engage in arguments or conflict. It's exhausting and takes a toll on me.
Warning warning
There's something I need to be cautious about. Something's not quite right.
Shipmates on icy blue waters
I'm searching for companionship and adventure, even if it means braving difficult, cold conditions.
Come be my bride on the sea
I want someone to join me on this journey, to be my partner, and share in the challenges and rewards.
She gives me no quarter
My lover is strong-willed and unrelenting. She won't go easy on me or give me a break.
My mistress my girl
She's not just a lover, she's my confidant and friend. We understand each other at a deep level.
Here in this black and blue world
We live in a harsh, difficult world where challenges and obstacles abound. But we're determined to overcome them together.
Never make the effort any more
I'm tired of trying so hard all the time, and not seeing much payoff. It's draining.
There's no welcome at the door
I don't feel accepted or loved by the people in my life. It's a lonely feeling.
Desolation angel
I feel like an outsider, wandering through life alone. It's a painful, isolating experience.
Watching waiting
I'm biding my time, waiting for something to change. Hoping that things will one day get better.
Heaven's always full of black and blue angels
Even in the afterlife, there are those who have suffered and been scarred by life's challenges. No one is immune to pain.
Heaven only helps the ones who help themselves
You can't rely on divine intervention alone to solve your problems. You have to take action and be proactive in making changes.
We don't go calling bruising and balling
I don't want to engage in senseless violence or aggression. It's not a productive or healthy way to deal with conflict.
Here in our black and blue world
Our world is tough and unforgiving, but we're in this together. We have each other's backs and won't give up.
Be my bride
I'm asking for your hand in marriage, to commit to each other through thick and thin.
Be my bride
I'm asking for your hand in marriage, to commit to each other through thick and thin.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: BRETT GOLDSMITH, JAMES MICHAEL REYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind