Island
Jane Relf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where it should never be
Surrounded by suburban sea
And through the tired and hopeless waves
To where it's free
[Chorus]
I want to be there
There on the island
The sun is always bright
The moon sends the darkness away in the night
I know that it's waiting
I know there's a place ready for me
[Chorus]
Warm sounds of wind songs
Come down through the trees
But far away tears are borne on the breeze
I'll follow the raindrops
Cause sunshine and smiles are waiting for me
[Chorus]
Jane Relf's song Island talks about a place that is not bound by geographical constraints. The song begins by stating that there is an island where it should never be, indicating an unusual location. The island is surrounded by suburban sea, which contrasts with the unspoilt nature of the island. The lyricist paints a picture of the waves that are tired and hopeless, indicating the monotony of daily life. However, the island offers a chance to break free from this routine and find solace.
In the chorus, the singer expresses her desire to be on the island for the rest of her time. She adds that the sun always shines bright, and the moon brings an end to darkness. The lyrics are metaphorical and suggest that the island is a place where there is no unhappiness or pain. She is certain that there is a place ready for her on the island, indicating that she has been looking forward to it for a long time.
The second verse highlights the ambiance of the island with the warm sounds of wind songs that come down through the trees. However, the singer admits that far away, tears are borne on the breeze. This suggests that the island is not only a utopian place, but it also serves as a sanctuary for those who seek emotional healing. Nevertheless, the singer makes it clear that she is willing to follow the raindrops, indicating that she is ready to leave her troubles behind and embrace the sunshine and smiles that are waiting for her.
Overall, the song Island by Jane Relf is poetic and metaphorical, portraying the island as a haven for those seeking refuge from their troubles.
Line by Line Meaning
There is an island
There exists an island
Where it should never be
The location of the island is unexpected or unusual
Surrounded by suburban sea
The nearby surroundings of the island are typical suburban areas
And through the tired and hopeless waves
Despite the challenges faced while traveling through rough waters
To where it's free
To reach the place of freedom
I want to be there
Expressing the desire to reach that place
For the rest of my time
For an indefinite period of time
There on the island
Referring to the aforementioned island
The sun is always bright
Emphasizing the consistently pleasant and sunny weather on the island
The moon sends the darkness away in the night
Even the nighttime on the island is illuminated by the moonlight
I know that it's waiting
Believing that the island is waiting to be discovered
I know there's a place ready for me
Feeling confident that there is a spot on the island meant for oneself
Warm sounds of wind songs
Describing the mellifluous music of the wind as it passes through the island's vegetation
Come down through the trees
Referring to the direction of the sound from the top of the trees
But far away tears are borne on the breeze
Suggesting that although the island is a happy place, there are still sorrows in the world outside
I'll follow the raindrops
Choosing to follow hope and optimism
Cause sunshine and smiles are waiting for me
Believing that happiness and positivity are present on the island
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES STANLEY MC CARTY, KEITH RELF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@craigrunyon6663
I remember like it was yesterday Renaissance playing at the Last Exit club in Washington DC. Keith Relf and his beautiful sister Jane sang this song "Island" together like angels from heaven!
I shall never forget that magical night and this song was the high light of the evening. The inside record cover was photographed on the elevated platform of the costume gallery at the Victoria and Albert museum my work colleagues remembered the day it was photographed This musical combo was at the forefront on progressive music. Keith Relf's musical career stretched all the way from the YardBirds doing covers of blues songs and slowly finding their voice writing fabulous songs like "For your love" with Brian Augar on harpsichord. This musical style influenced many soundtrack composers like John Barry in the James Bond films and Roy Frederick Budd in the famous "Get Carter" film with Michael Cane. That haunting groovy 1960s harpsichord sound. Then the YardBirds wrote their anti-war masterpiece "Shapes" Then Keith Relf's Renaissance was formed championing fusing classical music with rock music. He was a pioneer in this genre before King Crimson and Emerson Lake and Palmer. Although Renaissance never became massively popular their place in musical history is assured. The group name was carried on by various people but I never followed any of these musical Shanigans especially after Keith's untimely passing.
@MRobespierre1963
Jane Relf was a very good and beautiful singer!
@jeffg1524
Lovely performance of early Renaissance. Jane was a babe.💗
@blameless_hyperborean8638
There is officially nothing funnier than club-goers trying to dance to a prog band vamping a Beethoven Piano Sonata.
@Sandervideoclipsegames-or7ui
I love this band!!! Jane is beautiful!!!
@buzzenald1
Very nice! I saw them a few times in the 70s when Annie Haslam was the singer. The first time I saw them they were supporting Caravan at the Mountford Hall in Liverpool. The next time I saw them they were the main act.
@thomassmith8721
Wonderful, laid back, baroque, classical British pop.
@johnlamb2754
Beautiful magical music.
@tobytanzer
Heard this song scores of times. Never seen it done live! Thank you. Louis Cennamo is severely under appreciated. I was lucky to meet Mr. Hawken after a Strawbs show and thanked him for his Renaissance contributions. They are all my heroes, including the Annie/Tout/Camp/Dunford/Sullivan version. I'm glad Annie keeps the music alive even now.
@nicjones2985
I agree re. Louis Cennamo. My hunch (given the playing position of his right hand) is that he started out on double bass before moving on to the bass guitar.