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.
Say What You Can
John Martyn Lyrics
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And every time it works the same
You say what you can
But you can't understand
It's bigger than you, and it's true
And if I should wake up screaming
It's because of the way we're dealing
Say what you can, but you can't understand
It's bigger than you, and it's true
I think of children
Something to leave behind
They keep me worried all the time
Say what you can, but you can't understand
You just have to lie, to get by
And if I should wake up crying
It's becausе of the way we're dying
And I'm so scarеd that we might fall
And if I should wake up screaming
It's because of the way we're dealing
And I'm so scared that we might fall
You make me shaky the way you play the game
And every time it works the same
If I should wake up screaming
It's because of the way we're dealing
And I'm so scared that we might fall
That we might fall we might fall
We might fall we might fall
The lyrics of John Martyn's song "Say What You Can" convey a sense of unease and vulnerability in a relationship. The vocalist is addressing someone who manipulates and plays games, causing the singer to feel shaky and uncertain. Despite the repeated attempts of the other person to communicate, they can't truly comprehend the depth of the situation. The singer acknowledges that the issues at hand are bigger than the other person's understanding, emphasizing the complexity and gravity of the problems within the relationship.
The lyrics also touch upon the singer's fears of falling and the consequences of their actions. The mention of waking up screaming and crying suggests intense emotions and nightmares that haunt the singer. The way the relationship is being dealt with causes immense fear and worry for both the present and the future. There is a sense of desperation to preserve something meaningful, possibly symbolized by the mention of children - something to leave behind, but also a constant source of concern.
Overall, the lyrics of "Say What You Can" explore the challenges and insecurities in a relationship, as well as the potential consequences of unresolved issues. It highlights the difficulty of effective communication and the fear of losing something valuable.
Line by Line Meaning
You make me shaky the way you play the game
Your actions make me feel unsettled and uncertain, just like the unpredictable nature of a game
And every time it works the same
Despite the repeated occurrences, the outcome remains consistent
You say what you can
You express yourself to the best of your ability
But you can't understand
However, you struggle to comprehend the true depth of the situation
It's bigger than you, and it's true
The situation is larger and more significant than your comprehension allows, and this is the undeniable truth
And if I should wake up screaming
In the case that I abruptly awaken with fear and distress
It's because of the way we're dealing
It is a result of our handling and management of the situation
And I was so scared that we might fall
I experienced intense fear and concern that our relationship or circumstances might collapse
Say what you can, but you can't understand
Even though you express your thoughts, you fail to truly comprehend
It's bigger than you, and it's true
Once again, the magnitude of the situation surpasses your capability to grasp, and this remains a fact
I think of children
My thoughts often revolve around the concept of children
Something to leave behind
A legacy or something meaningful to pass on in the future
They keep me worried all the time
They constantly cause me anxiety and concern
You just have to lie, to get by
You resort to dishonesty as a means to cope or survive
And if I should wake up crying
If I awaken with tears streaming down my face
It's because of the way we're dying
It is due to the gradual deterioration or decay of our situation
And I'm so scared that we might fall
I am filled with intense fear that our relationship or circumstances may crumble
That we might fall we might fall
Reiterating the imminent possibility of our downfall
We might fall we might fall
Further emphasizing the potential for our collapse
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BILLY HILL, John Martyn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind