Miles was a member of groups "The Influence", which also included Paul Thompson, later drummer with Roxy Music and Vic Malcolm, later vocalist with Geordie and "The John Miles Set," before starting his solo career in 1971. During the 1970s he issued 18 singles and four albums, including "Rebel" (1976), "Stranger In The City" (1977), and "Zaragon" (1978). He had most success with singles; in addition to Music, he also charted with "Highfly" (1975), "Remember Yesterday" (1976), and "Slow Down" (1977). Most of his songs were co-written with his bassist Bob Marshall.
Miles has toured with Tina Turner, often filling in for Bryan Adams when the latter was unavailable to join her on tour for their duet. Miles is also a frequent guest vocalist on albums by The Alan Parsons Project.
In the 1980s he continued to record and tour. In 1983 a new radio station in the south of England, Radio Mercury, used parts from the song "Music" for their link jingles. The actual song itself also received extensive airplay on the station, leading one to speculate this was perhaps part of a deal for the usage in their jingles.
A list of Miles album releases from the 1980s and 1990s is as follows:
Sympathy (1980)
Miles High (1981)
John Miles' Music (1982)
Play On (1983)
Transition (1985)
John Miles Live In Concert (1992)
Anthology (1993)
Upfront (1993)
Master Series (1998)
Tom and Catherine (1999)
Millennium Edition (1999)
Throughout the late 80s and into the 90s John Miles was musical director to Tina Turner on her various tours, and played on several of her albums. He also played Hammond organ on Joe Cocker's album "Night Calls"(1992).
In 2002 he issued the DVD "John Miles - Live In Concert." In 2007, Miles performed in Gelsenkirchen, Germany with German band Pur and sang two songs. One of those songs, "Abenteuerland", Miles sang with Pur in German. The concert is available on the DVD, Pur-Friends-Live-Schalke-2007. In October 2008, Miles began touring once again with Tina Turner until May 2009.
In 2017, Miles was awarded an outstanding contribution to music award at the Progressive Rock awards.
Overture
John Miles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lost forever in a young boy's dream,
Taking chances that won't come again.
Thinking back, was I so happy then?
Who's behind me now I've come so far
Living up to what they say you are.
Crowds of people queue to see my show,
Scared to face it - but how could they know?
Laughing out loud at the fool.
Pay the price tomorrow,
Breaking every rule.
Take a look at the old man
Going back in time with a sigh.
All he's got is yesterday,
He's living just to die.
Take a look at the wise man
Keepin' both his feet on the ground.
Needs no one to change him,
Turn his head around.
Take a look at the weak man,
Could he ever stand on his own?
Waiting for the day to come
When he'll be all alone.
Take a look at the blind man
Wishing every day he could see.
He lives his life in darkness.
Be grateful, you and me.
Take a look at yourself now,
Standing with your back to the wall.
Pride will get you nowhere fast,
We're waiting for the fall.
Once a whisper that was never heard
People listening to every word.
Life is changing in so many ways,
Out of darkness into better days.
Now the empty seats as people rise,
Lights are fading and the memory dies.
Lost in silence as I stop and stare,
Leaving ghostly echoes everywhere.
The overture is over but for me it's just begun.
The song "Overture" by John Miles offers a hauntingly introspective look at the different stages of life. The singer reflects on moments of loss and regret, contemplating the choices of his past and what it means for his future. The opening lines speak of a "sad and lonely" place that he's been, lost in a "young boy's dream". As he reflects on his journey, he wonders if he was truly happy during those moments that have now passed. The lyrics suggest that the singer has experienced success and perhaps even fame, with crowds of people queuing up to see his show. However, he feels that they don't truly understand what it took for him to get there, or the personal toll that it has taken on him.
The song uses various characters as metaphors for different stages of life. For example, the "old man" goes back in time with a sigh, reliving the days that are now long gone. The "wise man" keeps both feet on the ground, showing a sense of groundedness and acceptance. The "weak man" is waiting for the day to come when he'll be all alone, the "blind man" wishes he could see, while the singer urges the listener to be grateful for their sight. The song ends on a note of introspection, with the singer urging the listener to take a look at themselves and their own lives. He warns that pride will get them nowhere, and that they should be grateful for what they have.
Line by Line Meaning
Sad and lonely is a place I've been
I have been in a sorrowful and isolated state
Lost forever in a young boy's dream,
I feel like I am stuck in an unattainable fantasy of my youth
Taking chances that won't come again.
I am risking everything on opportunities that are unique and may never arise again
Thinking back, was I so happy then?
Reflecting on my past, I wonder if I was truly content during those times
Who's behind me now I've come so far
I wonder who supports me now that I have achieved so much
Living up to what they say you are.
I am trying to fulfill the expectations of others regarding who I am
Crowds of people queue to see my show,
Many individuals eagerly gather to watch me perform
Scared to face it - but how could they know?
They may be apprehensive about what they will see, but they cannot know until they experience it
Take a look at the young man
Observe the inexperienced guy
Laughing out loud at the fool.
Mocking the ignorant person humorously
Pay the price tomorrow,
Suffer the consequences in the future
Breaking every rule.
Disregarding all of the regulations
Take a look at the old man
Examine the elderly guy
Going back in time with a sigh.
Reflecting nostalgically on his past with a sad breath
All he's got is yesterday,
His only possession is his memories of the past
He's living just to die.
The purpose of his life is merely to eventually pass away
Take a look at the wise man
Observe the intelligent guy
Keepin' both his feet on the ground.
He remains down-to-earth and practical
Needs no one to change him,
He does not require anyone to modify him
Turn his head around.
Cause him to have a complete change of opinion
Take a look at the weak man,
Examining the vulnerable guy
Could he ever stand on his own?
Is it possible for him to ever be self-sufficient?
Waiting for the day to come
Hoping for a future event to occur
When he'll be all alone.
At the point when he will have nobody else with him
Take a look at the blind man
Observe the person who cannot see
Wishing every day he could see.
Wishing that he could have vision every single day
He lives his life in darkness.
He exists in a world without light
Be grateful, you and me.
We should appreciate our abilities, in contrast to the struggles of a blind man
Take a look at yourself now,
Examine your own current state of being
Standing with your back to the wall.
You are in a perilous or hopeless predicament
Pride will get you nowhere fast,
You will achieve nothing by being excessively conceited
We're waiting for the fall.
People are anticipating or expecting your failure
Once a whisper that was never heard
Previously, something was silently said but never acknowledged
People listening to every word.
Now, people are eagerly and attentively awaiting every spoken statement
Life is changing in so many ways,
The world is constantly evolving and transforming
Out of darkness into better days.
From an unpleasant or negative time, a brighter future is emerging
Now the empty seats as people rise,
The seats are now vacated as the people stand up
Lights are fading and the memory dies.
The illumination is dimming and so is the recollection of the event
Lost in silence as I stop and stare,
I am dazed and perplexed as I look without sound
Leaving ghostly echoes everywhere.
Leaving spectral reverberations all around
The overture is over but for me it's just begun.
The introduction is completed, but for me, the actual performance has just commenced
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AL KOOPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
S.G. McCloskey - Live Readings
John Miles R.I.P. Just heard the news, gutted! Maybe the hipsters will discover his music now, but for us true fans, he was as talented as Prince or any other big name you can mention. Legend!
N Dav56
Totally agree- an absolute musical legend in my eyes. Saw him at this peak (Zaragon and MMPH). Great songwriting and instrumentation- a musician's musician, but never achieved his deserved level of recognition.
David Price
@N Dav56 such a fantastic musician
Johannes C
@David Price yes he was.
Jim Burns
Absolutely gutted to hear of John Miles passing yesterday. To me he was one of the greatest guitarists of all time, I’m listening to this and it is sending shivers through me.. RIP John…. You’ll be sorely missed….
Diane C
He was so underrated! He gave so much time to the children in his local area. My late Dad was head of music in a local school John spent hours supporting him and performing in the show. An all round talented decent guy. R.I.P John Miles
Roy Halvorsen
This album is a classic!!! Dont have it? BUY it !!! You NEED it !!! Must be one of the best rock composers ever ... He's up there!
Eric Steadman
Roy Halvorsen
The album is a classic ,so incredible
Eric Steadman
Roy Halvorsen
So True
Chris Knights
Imo, this is his best song. Highly underrated! I love all his work. And absolutely, this is THE BEST GUITAR SOLO EVER!