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.
Cure
John Martyn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know the cure
If I come a little strong, tell me when I'm wrong
Come a little fast, please help this love to last
Pity me and take me home with you
Love is cruel, love is kind, love is never, never blind
Love is honest, love is beautiful and blue
Love is always safe and sound, love will always fool around
There's not a single thing that you can do
Don't you know that love is the only cure for your broken heart?
Telling you that love is the only cure for your broken heart
I've been too long on my own, can't stand to live alone
I've got you in my blood and in my every move
And though I've got it left in, the man in me forgets
What can happen when you're falling out of love
Love is cruel, love is kind, love is never, never blind
Love is honest, love is beautiful and true
Love is always safe and sound, love will always fool around
There's not a single thing for you to do
To know that love is the only cure for your broken heart
You know that love is the only cure for your broken heart
Love is cruel, love is kind, love is never, never blind
Love is honest, love is beautiful and blue
Love is always safe and sound, love will always fool around
There's not a single thing for you to do
Don't you know that love is the only cure for your broken heart?
Love is the only cure for your broken heart
Come a little strong, tell me when I'm wrong
Guide me, tell me what to do
Come a little fast, just help this love to last
Pity me and take me home with you
Love is cruel, love is kind, love is never, never blind
Love is honest, beautiful and blue
Love is always safe and sound, love will always fool around
There's not a single thing for you to do
You know that love is the only cure for your broken heart
I'm telling you that love is the only cure for your broken heart
Love is the only cure for your broken heart
Tell it to me, you know that love is the only cure
Tell it to the doctor [Incomprehensible]
Love is the only cure for your broken heart
Tell me, tell me sweet love, sweet love
Love is the only cure
Love is the only cure for your broken heart
The lyrics of John Martyn's song "Cure" speak about the power of love as a remedy for a broken heart. The singer expresses a longing for someone who understands the cure for his broken heart. They ask for guidance and support in navigating their emotions. The song portrays love as both cruel and kind, honest and fooling around. It acknowledges that love can be both beautiful and blue, encompassing a range of emotions and experiences.
The repetition of the line "Love is the only cure for your broken heart" emphasizes the central message of the song. The singer believes that love is the ultimate solution to heal their wounded heart. They highlight that love is not blind and that it can both hurt and heal. The lyrics also suggest that the absence of love can lead to loneliness and a longing for connection.
Line by Line Meaning
You know the cure for a broken heart
You possess the knowledge of how to heal a broken heart
You know the cure
You are aware of the solution to the problem
If I come a little strong, tell me when I'm wrong
If I appear too intense, please correct me when I make mistakes
Guide me, tell me what to do
Lead me and give me instructions on the necessary actions
Come a little fast, please help this love to last
Advance quickly and assist in making this love endure
Pity me and take me home with you
Feel compassion for me and bring me to your place
Love is cruel, love is kind, love is never, never blind
Love can be harsh, love can be benevolent, love never lacks judgement
Love is honest, love is beautiful and blue
Love is genuine, love is exquisite and melancholic
Love is always safe and sound, love will always fool around
Love is always secure, yet it may engage in playful mischief
There's not a single thing that you can do
There is nothing you can do to change the nature of love
Don't you know that love is the only cure for your broken heart?
Are you not aware that love is the sole remedy for your wounded heart?
Telling you that love is the only cure for your broken heart
Emphasizing that love is the singular solution for your wounded heart
I've been too long on my own, can't stand to live alone
I have been alone for far too long, I cannot bear to be by myself
I've got you in my blood and in my every move
Your presence is deeply ingrained in me, influencing every aspect of my life
And though I've got it left in, the man in me forgets
Even though I have not given up on love, sometimes I disregard its importance
What can happen when you're falling out of love
The consequences of losing affection for someone
To know that love is the only cure for your broken heart
Understanding that love is the sole remedy for your wounded heart
You know that love is the only cure for your broken heart
You are aware that love is the only remedy for your wounded heart
Tell it to me, you know that love is the only cure
Express it to me, you understand that love is the sole remedy
Tell it to the doctor [Incomprehensible]
Inform the doctor as well
Tell me, tell me sweet love, sweet love
Reveal to me, inform me, my dear love, beloved love
Love is the only cure
Love is the sole remedy
Love is the only cure for your broken heart
Love is the only remedy for your wounded heart
Love is the only cure for your broken heart
Love is the sole remedy for your wounded heart
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
marny7
It seems the only good thing to come from Johns passing is all these great videos that have appeared since. Well done, they keep the man alive!
Steven Robbins
First time I've heard this one, my eyes just welled up... I miss the heck out of this guy, my favorite of all time!
Jayne Morgan
Love this version so much......John's voice at it's best!
Eoin Butler
I never really noticed that song before, but that performance is everything I love about the guy. I have a new favourite John Martyn song.
watchthemovement
Sublime!!! What a chooooon! Can anyone tell me how much of this gig is available to see? What was the set list? Where was it recorded? AND can we have MORE pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaasssee!!!! (and thank you for what we have so far....)
john wick
12 year on and no answers mate. I guess it's my quest now...... Unfortunetly
windingboy
This is truly blowing my tiny mind. JM is the boss, always.
Joe
God, this is beautiful.
George Kitteringham
No need for words to describe John and his music. His fans will know exactly what I mean.
ianmcgeachy
yeh- Im back for more. Great rendition and I prefer this to the original on the LP. John 'on his own'...exquisite- vocal quality and 'spirit' of this shines thru without all the 80s studio production. Plus we get to see guitar work here! I also want to know (like comment below) where this was from and when- looks early 90s to me somewhere.? -Many thanks again for this-Ian