His family was in the cinema business, but it was during his National Service that he began performing as a musician. After taking a correspondence course and arranging for some of the bands of the day, he formed The John Barry Seven. Barry then met Adam Faith, and composed songs and film scores on the singer's behalf.
It was this notoriety that caught the attention of the producers of Dr. No, who were dissatisfied with the score given to them by Monty Norman. Barry and the JB7 were hired and their recording of Norman's "James Bond Theme" would go on to be one of the most famous signature tunes in film history.
This would be the turning point for Barry, as he would go on to become one of the most celebrated film composers of modern times, winning five Academy Awards and four Grammys, with such memorable scores as The Lion in Winter, Midnight Cowboy, Out of Africa, and Dances with Wolves.
Barry is often cited as having had a distinct style which concentrated on lush strings and extensive use of brass. However, he was also an innovator, being one of the first to employ synthesizers in a film score (On Her Majesty's Secret Service), and to make wide use of pop artists and original songs in Midnight Cowboy.
Living in his native England until the mid 1970s, Barry spent some time in Spain (for tax purposes) before spending much of his life in the United States, mainly in Oyster Bay, outside of New York.
Barry died of a heart attack on 30 January 2011, at his Oyster Bay home, aged 77 years.
Volare
John Barry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And in the hustle and bustle, no sunshine appears
But you and I have our love always there to remind us
There is a way we can leave all the shadows behind us
Volare, oh, oh! Cantare, oh, oh, oh, oh!
Let's fly way up to the clouds, away from the maddening crowds
We can sing in the glow of a star that I know of
Where lovers enjoy peace of mind
Just like birds of a feather a rainbow together we'll find
Volare, oh, oh! Cantare, oh, oh, oh, oh!
No wonder my happy heart sings
Your love has given me wings
Your love has given me wings
The lyrics to John Barry's song Volare describe a world full of heartache and turmoil, where sunshine is hard to come by. However, the love between the singer and their partner is a constant reminder that there is a way to leave the shadows behind and rise above the chaos. The song suggests that the couple can fly away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, up into the clouds where they can find a peaceful haven to sing and be together. The lyrics paint a picture of two people (like "birds of a feather") who are united in their love and seeking refuge from the confusion and disillusion of the world around them.
The use of the Italian words "Volare" and "Cantare" add to the romantic and joyful tone of the song. "Volare" means "to fly" and "Cantare" means "to sing", both of which are commands that encourage the couple to let go of their troubles and reach for a happier place. The repetition of "oh, oh!" and "oh, oh, oh, oh!" in the chorus of the song creates a playful and catchy rhythm that suggests the joy the couple feels in one another's love.
Interestingly, while the lyrics to the song were originally written and sung in Italian by Domenico Modugno in 1958, the English version written by Barry Mason and performed by Dean Martin in 1959 became more popular and widely known. The song has since been covered and performed by many artists in both Italian and English, and has become a classic love song around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes the world is a valley of heartaches and tears
At times, the world is filled with sadness and despair.
And in the hustle and bustle, no sunshine appears
In the chaos of life, it's hard to find happiness.
But you and I have our love always there to remind us
The love we share serves as a reminder of joy.
There is a way we can leave all the shadows behind us
Together, we can escape negativity and darkness.
Volare, oh, oh! Cantare, oh, oh, oh, oh!
Let's fly away to someplace better and happier.
Let's fly way up to the clouds, away from the maddening crowds
Let's escape the chaos of civilization by soaring into the sky.
We can sing in the glow of a star that I know of
We can sing together under the light of a beautiful star.
Where lovers enjoy peace of mind
There is a special place where couples experience tranquility.
Let us leave the confusion and all disillusion behind
We should forget about confusion and uncertainly and embrace clarity and certainty.
Just like birds of a feather a rainbow together we'll find
Together, we will find happiness just like birds of a feather and a rainbow.
No wonder my happy heart sings
It's no surprise that my happy heart is singing.
Your love has given me wings
Your love has made me feel free.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Domenico Modugno, Franco Migliacci
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind