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.
Small Hours
John Martyn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've been walking the line and you've been living on solid air
Don't know what's going 'round inside
And I can tell you that it's hard to hide when you're living on solid air
You've been painting the blues and you've been looking through solid air
You've been seeing it through and you've been looking through solid air
Don't know what's going 'round in your mind
I know you, I love you
And I can be your friend, I can follow you anywhere
Even through solid air
You've been stoning it cold, you've been living on solid air
You've been finding it cold, you've been living on solid air
I don't know what's going on inside
I can tell you that it's hard to hide when you're living on solid air
You've been getting too deep, you've been living on solid air
You've been missing your sleep and you've been moving through solid air
I don't know what's going on in your mind
But I know you don't like what you find when you're moving through solid air
You've been walking your line, you've been walking on solid air
You've been taking your time but you've been walking on solid air
Don't know what's going on inside
But I can tell you that it's hard to hide when you're living on solid air
The song "Small Hours" by John Martyn explores the idea of living in a state of uncertainty and confusion, represented by the metaphor of "solid air". The lyrics describe how a person has been living their life "on solid air", walking the line, painting the blues, and stoning it cold. The repetition of this phrase emphasizes how this person feels like they are just floating through life, unable to grasp onto anything concrete or tangible. The singer admits that he doesn't know what's going on inside this person's mind, but he can see that they are struggling to hide their feelings and emotions.
In the chorus, the singer offers his support to this person, expressing his love and willingness to be their friend and follow them anywhere, even through the solid air. This offers a glimmer of hope and comfort, suggesting that even in times of confusion and uncertainty, there is always someone who can offer support and stability.
Overall, "Small Hours" is a poignant and introspective song that explores the universal themes of uncertainty and emotional turmoil. The metaphor of solid air helps to convey the feeling of being lost or adrift, while the singer's message of support offers a sense of comfort and reassurance.
Line by Line Meaning
You've been taking your time and you've been living on solid air
You've been not rushing things and living without much substance or direction
You've been walking the line and you've been living on solid air
You've been balancing between different choices and living without much substance or direction
Don't know what's going 'round inside And I can tell you that it's hard to hide when you're living on solid air
I don't know what's happening inside of you but it's difficult to conceal when you are living without much substance or direction
You've been painting the blues and you've been looking through solid air
You've been feeling low and looking at things without much substance or clarity
You've been seeing it through and you've been looking through solid air
You've been persevering and looking at things without much substance or clarity
Don't know what's going 'round in your mind And I can tell you don't like what you find when you're moving through solid air
I don't know what you are thinking but you are unhappy with what you are experiencing without much substance or clarity
I know you, I love you And I can be your friend, I can follow you anywhere Even through solid air
I know you well, care for you deeply and am willing to support you unconditionally even if you are living without much substance or direction
You've been stoning it cold, you've been living on solid air
You've been feeling numb and living without much substance or direction
You've been finding it cold, you've been living on solid air
You've been feeling chilly or distant and living without much substance or direction
I don't know what's going on inside I can tell you that it's hard to hide when you're living on solid air
I don't know what's happening inside of you but it's difficult to conceal when you are living without much substance or direction
You've been getting too deep, you've been living on solid air
You've been going overboard and living without much substance or direction
You've been missing your sleep and you've been moving through solid air
You've been suffering from lack of sleep and moving through things without much substance or clarity
I don't know what's going on in your mind But I know you don't like what you find when you're moving through solid air
I don't know what you are thinking but I know you don't appreciate what you experience without much substance or clarity
You've been walking your line, you've been walking on solid air
You've been following your path without much substance or direction
You've been taking your time but you've been walking on solid air
You've been moving cautiously without much substance or direction
Don't know what's going on inside But I can tell you that it's hard to hide when you're living on solid air
I don't know what's happening inside of you but it's difficult to conceal when you are living without much substance or direction
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN MARTYN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tomas_horn
Gonna get on up and fly away
Go on after another way and a new day has dawned
Gonna carry on
Keep on loving while your love is strong
Keep on loving till your love is gone away
Well you're very very lovely, gonna take you home
Say you'll be my ruin but I just don't care because I love you so
I just love you so
Keep on loving till your love is gone
Keep on loving while your love is strong
@BobNJohnson
Thanks. John opened for Pink Floyd in 1973. A guy walks out, sits down, and announces, "I'm the warm up band." We started booing. Then he starts playing through Floyd's surround sound in an open air stadium. When he's through we were shouting for more. This guy single-handedly blew a few thousand impatient minds, and I've never forgotten that night. By the way Pink Floyd was touring Dark Side of the Moon, they were young and powerful, one of the best concerts I've ever heard.
@nozzaboy316kid
Just after Solid Air had been released 2 both in there primes mental luck person
@dereknezza-ru2hr
He was a cool dude. This song is bliss.
@dereknezza-ru2hr
I think my mother went to see pink floyd at Earl’s Court about 25 years ago .
@34hedgehog
Did exactly the same thing to me at Glastonbury in 1984. Guy walks out on his own, just a Les Paul gold top. My memory of it is stood off to the left of the main stage, in front of the PA. He played 'Solid Air' and I just flipped. Never heard anything like it.
@raymondwilliams2609
What major moves have you made in society lately ?
Let's dig deep in to Rockefeller, let's dig deep into Morgan ?
Who new J. D Morgan was a pedophile ?
@oscargustaverejlander.
Played this at my father's funeral. A sunny day in April. The sun shining through the stain glass windows onto his coffin. Stillness. Only four of us there. Incredibly sad. But incredibly beautiful.
@karlbartlett7182
The whole of humanity were there, we just don't see it. This song connects us all
@thecatholicnetwork1167
I was at this very gig, and many others by the incredible, insanely talented JM! This song carried me safely through so many dark bedsit days in my youth. I'm 64 now and still give thanks for having none this remarkable man and his music. Probably the best song ever crafted by anyone. Not a day goes by that I don't miss ya, John.
@stephenbuckley5818
You’re lucky I would have loved to have been there