John Mayall is often referred to as the "Father of the British blues." His well-known band is still called John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers. They started out in the late 1950s in England, using Chicago style blues as a starting basis for their sound, which has evolved from album to album. And while at one point John Mayall was playing a fairly jazzy sound, he has always come back to the blues.
One of the interesting features of the Bluesbreakers is that members have changed on a very regular basis, and many have gone on to well deserved fame and fortune with other bands and as solo acts. Past members include: Eric Clapton, and Jack Bruce, (also of Cream), Peter Green, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, and Mick Taylor, (who went on to a five -year stint with the Stones.) The studio album recorded with Clapton, entitled John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, was recorded in 1966, and is widely considered to be one of the great classic blues albums on either side of the stormy Atlantic. Cream came round right after.
John Mayall stands out for several reasons - his standing up for the blues, while experimenting with different approaches, his ability to attract the best of musicians; and perhaps most notably his willingness to work with musicians who far outshine him in sheer ability. And he himself sounds very good!
From:Wikipedia
The City
John Mayall Lyrics
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A couple miles away is the little country school where I go
Pedalling a bicycle along a cinder track and life is slow
The countryside is pretty but I got to face the city and the world
I started drawing pictures and my teachers do the best that they can do
I took examinations. I'm accepted in an art college school
Commuting every day - I'm a victim of the bustle and the smoke
The city suffocates me and the noise of busy people makes me choke
The countryside is pretty but I got to face the city and the world
Sitting on the bus I feel I'm trapped inside a big machine
I dream about the country and the evening air that smells so clean
The countryside is pretty but I got to face the city and the world
The City, by John Mayall, explores the duality of a young man’s life as he transitions from the slow-paced and serene lifestyle of the countryside to the busy and overwhelming city life. The song takes the listener through the singer's journey, as he describes the natural beauty, peacefulness, and simplicity of his everyday life in the countryside, only to contrast this with the chaos, noise, and bustle of the city he commutes to every day. The lyrics provide a window into the singer’s troubled mind as he constantly struggles to adapt to the new environment while staying rooted in his past.
The opening verse sets the scene with vivid imagery of the singer cycling along the cinder track, providing the background of his everyday routine. He notes that he is content with the tranquil pace of life in his country school, but acknowledges that he must confront the realities of the world as he makes plans to attend art college. The bridge provides further insight into the anxiety he feels as he transitions to city life. He finds himself crowded inside a bus, feeling trapped in a big machine, dreaming of the country air. Although he acknowledges the scenic beauty of the countryside, he still must face the city and all its challenges.
The song's theme of the tension between the peaceful countryside and the chaotic city reflects on Mayall's experience as a young artist making his way in London's competitive music scene. The lyrics paint an honest picture of what it felt like to make such a transition, portrayed through the eyes of a young man who is coming of age. The City remains a poignant expression of the universal human experience of struggling to adapt when moving from one part of our lives to the next.
Line by Line Meaning
A couple miles away is the little country school where I go
The singer attends a small school in the countryside that is a couple of miles away from where he lives.
Pedalling a bicycle along a cinder track and life is slow
The singer enjoys riding his bike down a dirt path to school and his life in the countryside is peaceful and unhurried.
The countryside is pretty but I got to face the city and the world
While the countryside is beautiful, the singer knows that he will eventually have to leave and face the world outside of his small town.
I started drawing pictures and my teachers do the best that they can do
The singer has an interest in art and his teachers are supportive of his talents.
I took examinations. I'm accepted in an art college school
The singer took tests and was accepted into a college that focuses on art education.
The countryside is pretty but I got to face the city and the world
Although he loves the countryside, the singer knows he must leave it behind and confront the urban world of higher education.
Commuting every day - I'm a victim of the bustle and the smoke
The singer is forced to commute daily in a crowded and polluted environment, making him feel trapped and confined.
The city suffocates me and the noise of busy people makes me choke
The city's congestion and noise are overwhelming and suffocating to the singer.
The countryside is pretty but I got to face the city and the world
Although he longs for the open fields and clean air of the countryside, the singer must adapt to the city and its pressures.
Sitting on the bus I feel I'm trapped inside a big machine
The singer feels like he's caught inside a giant contraption as he rides the bus to school and through the city.
I dream about the country and the evening air that smells so clean
The singer often dreams about the countryside and longs for its fresh and clean-smelling air.
The countryside is pretty but I got to face the city and the world
Although he misses the countryside and its natural beauty, the singer understands that he must confront the realities of the urban environment and make the most of his situation.
Contributed by Skyler T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.