Armatrading has mixed eclectic musical styles over decades of recording and performing. She has had several British hit singles, the biggest of which were "Love & Affection", "Me Myself I", and "Drop the Pilot". Her music is generally pop, with forays into rock, folk, jazz, and even reggae. Her popularity is primarily as an album artist.
She gained a new audience following her writing and performing "The Flight of the Wild Geese", which was used during the opening and end titles for the 1978 film The Wild Geese.
Armatrading first performed in a concert at Birmingham University for her brother at the age of about 16 (circa 1966). She only knew her own songs, but her brother asked her to perform something that would be familiar to the audience; she chose "The Sound of Silence".[9] She then performed her own songs around the local area with a friend from school, and played bass and rhythm guitar at local clubs.
Down To Zero
Joan Armatrading Lyrics
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When you're reeling
You step lightly thinking you're number one
Down to zero with a word
Leaving
For another one
Now you walk with your feet back on the ground
Down to the ground
Down to the ground
Down to the ground
Brand new dandy
First class scene stealer
Walks through the crowd and takes your man
Sends you rushing to the mirror
Brush your eyebrows and say
There's more beauty in you than anyone
Oh remember who walked the warm sands beside you
Moored to your heel let the waves come a rushing in
She'll take the worry from your head
But then again
She put trouble in your heart instead
Then you'll fall
Down to the ground
Down to the ground
You'll know heartache
Still more crying
When you're thinking of your mother's only son
Take to your bed
You say there's peace in sleep
But you'll dream of love instead
Oh the heartache you'll find
Can bring more pain than a blistering sun
But oh when you fall
Oh when you fall
Fall at my door
Oh the feeling
When you're reeling
You step lightly thinking you're number one
Down to zero with a word
Leaving
For another one
Now you walk with your feet back on the ground
Down to the ground
Down to the ground
Down to the ground
Down to the ground
You'll know heartache
Still more crying
When you're thinking of your mother's only son
Take to your bed
You say there's peace in sleep
But you'll dream of love instead
But oh when you fall
Oh when you fall
Fall at my door
The lyrics to Joan Armatrading's song Down to Zero depict the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with falling in love and being left heartbroken. The opening lines of the song describe the feeling of being on top of the world, thinking that you're number one, only to be brought "down to zero with a word" when your lover leaves you for someone else.
The second verse introduces a "brand new dandy" who comes between the two lovers, causing jealousy and feelings of insecurity. The chorus then repeats, emphasizing the fall from grace that the singer experiences. The bridge, with its image of walking on warm sands and being moored to someone's heel, suggests a deeper connection between the two lovers that is ultimately broken.
The third verse explores the aftermath of heartbreak, with the singer finding solace in sleep but dreaming of love instead. The final chorus brings the song full circle, reminding the listener of the highs and lows of falling in love and the need for someone to be there when you fall.
Overall the lyrics to Down to Zero are a poignant and relatable portrayal of love and heartbreak, capturing the intense emotions that come with these experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh the feeling
That intense sensation
When you're reeling
When you're struggling
You step lightly thinking you're number one
Being overly confident
Down to zero with a word
Reduced to nothing in a moment
Leaving for another one
Abandoned for someone else
Now you walk with your feet back on the ground
Realizing the reality of the situation
Brand new dandy
Someone attractive and new
First class scene stealer
A person who stands out
Walks through the crowd and takes your man
Steals your partner
Sends you rushing to the mirror
Makes you feel insecure
Brush your eyebrows and say
Boarding yourself up
There's more beauty in you than anyone
Believe in your own beauty
Oh remember who walked the warm sands beside you
Remember who has been there for you
Moored to your heel let the waves come a rushing in
Stay grounded and let things happen
She'll take the worry from your head
Someone who reassures you
But then again
On the other hand
She put trouble in your heart instead
Someone who causes problems
Then you'll fall
You'll suffer
You'll know heartache
You'll feel emotional pain
Still more crying
More tears to come
When you're thinking of your mother's only son
When you think of someone important to you
Take to your bed
Retreat into yourself
You say there's peace in sleep
You believe that sleeping will bring you peace
But you'll dream of love instead
You'll dream about your desires
Oh when you fall
When you suffer
Fall at my door
I'll be there for you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOAN ANITA BARBARA ARMATRADING, PAM NESTOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@blezatijolojolo2715
Leaving this comment so that whenever someone likes it I'll comeback and listen to this masterpiece
@spiritoflights
Writing Brilliance & underrated artistic Finesse,
@khanyimodiba2454
Just liked it now JUST so you can come back and listen 😂
@Akindone53
Well it's time to revisit and listen.
@realmikesally
Haha, good one. Enjoy the listen!
@bthomson
How can a voice be both sweet as honey and as gravelly as sand? This is a singer! This is a song writer! This is a guitarist! This is a star!
@kellysmith8845
Talent, talent and more talent.
A legend from my estimation
@user-vw8ry9zf2p
She had choosen something she enjoys that her career you can feel that everything she said it's inside her vein she feels the lyrics ❤ omg she's a queen 😭🖐️🫶
@spiritoflights
Underrated legend!
@Droosie3
She's like the female Johnny Nash... both incredibly smooth voices