He grew up in Glasgow and attended Shawlands Academy. John Martyn moved to London from Glasgow in the mid 1960s. He made his initial recorded impact in 1967, at the age of 19, with his debut album London Conversation. He then quickly became an integral part of the British music scene, incorporating Folk, Blues, and Jazz into his unique sound.
In the late 60s to early 70s he was close friends with Nick Drake, for whom he wrote the song Solid Air. The album of the same name remains an extremely moving album, as does the later Grace and Danger which documents his divorce from his wife Beverley with whom he recorded several albums (as John & Beverley Martyn).
During the 70s John lived in Hastings on the South Coast of England. Whilst in Hastings he released, amongst others, the Live At Leeds album which he sold from his own house. Also during his time in Hastings John tried to help Paul Kossoff put his life back together.
A long held alcohol problem didn't prevent Martyn from releasing twenty-two albums. In 2003 he contracted an infection that resulted in the amputation of part of a leg, an episode documented in the 2004 BBC documentary "Johnny Too Bad". He recovered, however, and continued to play, record and tour. In 2008, he was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Folk Awards. He has influenced many songwriters and guitarists and is an artist whose stature only grows with time. He worked with artists such as Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, David Gilmour and Levon Helm.
Sadly, he passed away on 29th January 2009.
A tribute album entitled Johnny Boy Would Love this…a Tribute to John Martyn was released on 15 August 2011, comprising cover versions of his songs by various artists who he had worked with or influenced.
Bless The Weather
John Martyn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Line after line, I loved it just to watch it cry
Bless the weather that brought you to me
Curse the storm that takes you away
Bless the weather that brought you to me
Curse the storm that takes you home
Day after day, I cooled it just to watch it burn
Bless the weather that brought you to me
Curse the storm that takes you home
Bless the weather that brought you to me
Curse the storm that takes you away
Pain after pain, I stood it just to see how it feels
Rain after rain, I stood it just to make it real
Bless the weather that brought you to me
Curse the day you go away
Bless the weather that brought you to me
Curse the storm that takes you away
Time after time, I held it just to watch it die
Line after line, I loved it just to watch it cry
Bless the weather that brought you to me
Curse the storm that takes you away
Bless the weather that brought you to me
Curse the storm that takes you away
The lyrics of John Martyn's song Bless The Weather contain a reflection on the nature of transience in life and love. The first two stanzas refer to the futility of trying to hold onto something that is bound to perish or be lost. The singer acknowledges the paradox of loving something that will ultimately cause pain and describes the cycle of attachment and detachment that characterizes our relationships with the people and things we care about.
However, the central message of the song is a celebration of the elements of nature that bring people together, and a bemoaning of those that force them apart. The chorus repeats the lines "Bless the weather that brought you to me" and "Curse the storm that takes you away", emphasizing the role of chance and fate in shaping our connections and disconnections with each other. The phrase "Bless the weather" becomes a refrain that encapsulates the singer's gratitude for love, while "Curse the storm" expresses his/her despair at its loss.
Overall, Bless The Weather is a poignant reflection on the beauty and fragility of human relationships, and the role of nature in both bringing us together and tearing us apart.
Line by Line Meaning
Time after time, I held it just to watch it die
Repeatedly, I clung onto it despite knowing it would meet its end
Line after line, I loved it just to watch it cry
Repeatedly, I nurtured it even though it caused me pain
Bless the weather that brought you to me
I am grateful for the circumstances that brought you into my life
Curse the storm that takes you away
I am resentful towards the circumstances that will cause you to leave
Wave after wave, I washed it just to watch it turn
Time and time again, I tried to change it only to see it revert back
Day after day, I cooled it just to watch it burn
Consistently, I tried to soothe it even though it was hurting me
Pain after pain, I stood it just to see how it feels
I endured numerous painful experiences to understand what they were like
Rain after rain, I stood it just to make it real
Endlessly, I braved through harsh experiences to make them tangible
Curse the day you go away
I am angry towards the day that you will leave me
Curse the storm that takes you away
I am resentful towards the circumstances that will cause you to depart
Bless the weather that brought you to me
I am grateful for the circumstances that brought you into my life
Curse the storm that takes you away
I am frustrated towards the circumstances that will cause us to separate
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: John Martyn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Manolis S
I can listen to John Martyn all day every day.
Joanne Beauchamp
John Martyn’s, “Bless The Weather”.....Beautiful, absolutely beautiful...it creates such an ethereal atmosphere...I’ve listened to it many, many times. The perfect song to groove on while listening after midnight while sipping some fine wine...Enjoy!
Bob Thyer
I heard this on BBC 2 radio late one night and just fell totally in love with it on the first listen. Then a bit later I discovered the genius of John Marty and the depth of his talent sadly after his death. I just thank God for recordings technology. God Bless you you wonderful man RIP John Martyn.
Rachel
Still touches my heart every time I hear it. Curse the weather that took you John.
Kevin Mills
One of my all-time favourite albums. Sublimely beautiful.
Linda Jones
A beautiful track, this album has long been one of my treasures. Thanks for a lovely post. RIP John.
Andy Roper
I still get goosebumps all these years later. What an incredible
song /album. Still got my '73
vintage vinyl copy.
M Mac
I'm well jell....
OriginalLHB
When John Martyn was at his peak. It has the ominous character of the best of Nick Drake along with that narcotic beauty. Except Martyn did it far more times. I didn't cry when Hendrix died. I cried when John Martyn died. RIP my friend.
Kipp The Horse
I cried when Patches O'Houlihan Died... RIP ;(