Nail rose to fame playing Leonard Jeffrey 'Oz' Osborne in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet in 1983, despite having no acting experience whatsoever (he had appeared as an extra in the movie Get Carter). Nail has also starred in a number of films and had a long musical career, having been a singer before he was picked out at an audition to play Oz.
After the first two series of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, Nail found himself typecast before creating the detective series, Spender, which he co-wrote with Ian La Frenais. The show ran for three seasons from 1990 to 1993 and also produced a tele-film. This was followed in 1995 by Crocodile Shoes, which he also created and starred as musician Jed Shepherd. After working with Madonna and Antonio Banderas in Alan Parker's Evita (1996) he co-starred in Clement & La Frenais' Sony movie 'Still Crazy' (1998). A song from the movie, 'The Flame Still Burns', sung by Nail, was nominated for a Golden Globe.
He has released a number of albums of his own compositions, the first being 'Take It Or Leave It' in 1986, 1991's 'Growing Up In Public' (featuring among others Gary Moore, David Gilmour and George Harrison), the last being 'Tadpoles In A Jar' in 1999 . His 'Crocodile Shoes' album of 1995 sold over a million copies. Mark Knopfler plays guitar on some tracks, a compliment that was repaid with an important plot reference to Oz's being a fan of Dire Straits in the third (revived) series of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (2002).
His work has resulted in five Bafta nominations (three in total for 'A.W.P.', one for 'Spender', one for 'Crocodile Shoes')), a Golden Globe nomination ( Best Original Song - 'Still Crazy'), an Ivor Novello nomination (for 'Ain't No Doubt) and numerous other awards and nominations.
Nailing: Following hot on the heels of the internet phenomenon "Rickrolling" where an internet user can provide a web link that that is relevant to the topic of an email or social networking message; the link actually takes the user through to a video of the Rick Astley song 'Never Gonna Give You Up". Similarly, "Nailing" follows the same concept, but takes the user to a link of Nail's 1992 No.1 single 'Ain't no doubt'. Thus the clicker of the link is said to have been "Nailed".
Black and White
Jimmy Nail Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Together we learn to read and write
A child is black, a child is white
The whole world looks upon the sight, a beautiful sight
And now a child can understand
That this is the law of all the land, all the land
It turns by day and then by night
A child is black, a child is white
Together they grow to see the light, to see the light
And now at last we plainly see
We'll have a dance of Liberty, Liberty!
The world is black, the world is white
It turns by day and then by night
A child is black, a child is white
The whole world looks upon the sight, a beautiful sight
The world is black, the world is white
It turns by day and then by night
A child is black, a child is white
Together they grow to see the light, to see the light
The world is black, the world is white
It turns by day and then by night
A child is black, a child is white
The whole world looks upon the sight, a beautiful sight
The world is black, the world is white
It turns by day and then by night
A child is black, a child is white
Together they grow to see the light, to see the light
C'mon, get it, get it
Ohh-ohhhh, yeah, yeah
Keep it up now, around the world
Little boys and little girls
Yeah, yeah-eah, oh-ohhh
The first verse of Jimmy Nail’s song “Black and White” acknowledges the contrast between black ink and white paper used for writing, and compares it to the concept of racial differences. Nail uses a child as an example of how we all begin as equals before society teaches us to differentiate between races. He emphasizes the beauty of seeing diverse groups of people learning and growing together by using the phrase “a beautiful sight”. The second verse broadens the idea to encompass the entire world, and how it ebbs and flows between its opposites, which include not just racial differences but also day and night. He again refers to children, proposing that children of all races growing up together will be able to see the light of understanding and acceptance. The final verse repeats the idea that the world is made up of not just extreme opposites, but also of opposing races, hence emphasizing the unity in diversity.
The song's message, originally released in 1984, is still relevant today as the world continues to face racial and social issues. The concepts of acceptance, tolerance, and understanding of different races have become more crucial than ever. According to Nail, the song had not been penned with any particular group in mind; it was just a message of peace and understanding that needed to be shared. Nail’s gentle and encouraging message of unity was not received well initially, as some deemed it to be overly naïve, simplistic, and idealistic. However, it did manage to bring together people from all over the world, of various races, nationalities, and religions.
Line by Line Meaning
The ink is black, the page is white
The blank page is waiting to be filled with knowledge and experience.
Together we learn to read and write
We can learn and grow as a community by teaching each other and sharing knowledge.
A child is black, a child is white
Children come from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and their differences should be celebrated.
The whole world looks upon the sight, a beautiful sight
When we embrace our differences, we create a more beautiful and inclusive world.
And now a child can understand
As we educate ourselves and each other, we can build a better and more equitable world.
That this is the law of all the land, all the land
All people are created equal, and that is the foundation of our laws and society.
The world is black, the world is white
The world is full of diversity and contrasts, but we are all part of the same human family.
Together they grow to see the light, to see the light
We can all learn and grow together, and together we can create a brighter and more hopeful future.
We'll have a dance of Liberty, Liberty!
When we celebrate our differences and work together as equals, we create a more just and free society.
C'mon, get it, get it
We can all work together to create a better world, and it starts with understanding and compassion.
Keep it up now, around the world
We need to work together and support each other globally to make positive change.
Little boys and little girls
Our children are the future, and we need to teach them to embrace and celebrate diversity.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: Earl Robinson, David Arkin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@katecohu3107
This is absolutely amazing 🤩 love ❤️ jimmy nail
@katecohu3014
Absolutely awesome 👏👏👏👏👏
@malvinstrucc8175
I just love it.
@JohnNormic
wow !!! great jimmy !!!
@Markcain268
Yeah man😃
@jamesdryburgh9796
Howay Jimmy, knocked it right oot the park , man.
@billyexley8143
True geordie genius
@mackemmum09
I love this song by the big fella!x
@michaelmorris2527
Why aye man
@PDHulme61
great song - pity it hsa a minute of silence tagged on at the end?....