It didn't take long before Josh's unique voice and song writing style, influenced by the likes of Elliott Smith, Evan Dando, and Sparklehorse, began to find favour amongst music tastemakers, critics and Triple J listeners. The first taste, the assured 'Kids Don't Sell Their Hopes So Fast', found high rotation on Triple J and soon 'Silver' and the gently sweeping 'Doldrums' followed to similar praise and airplay. These tracks are now available on the CD 'Recordings 2003-2005' through The Million records.
Josh signed to Ivy League Records in 2005 and shortly afterwards travelled to New York for some further writing, performing and demoing and upon return set about recording what was his debut release under his own name, a mini album entitled "Feeding The Wolves".
"Feeding the Wolves" signified a great deal more than a change in name: It revealed a huge step in the development of Josh as an artist and songwriter. The subject matter was as broad as titles like "Beg Your Pardon", "Private Education", "Middle Of The Hill" and "Goldmines" suggest, however it's Josh's lyrics that draw this collection of songs together into a complete package. He cleverly dissects human emotion and feelings and shows them for what they are: complex, abstract, fascinating.
There is hope in the opening track 'Beg Your Pardon' and in 'Fill You In' there is emptiness and longing. The first single, 'Middle Of The Hill', is a near-stream of consciousness of a suburban childhood - family affection coloured by those sometimes darker, sometimes trivial details that for some reason stay with you. 'Goldmines' a vision of a land, or maybe a talent, stripped of its riches - but here and there a flash of colour survives. A relationship that seems to be an ongoing test is at 'Private Education's' centre. The title track finishes it, with Josh quick to point out the Wolves are not those wanting a piece of you for whatever reason - but those uncontrollable, irrational, emotions inside yourself that you have to keep in check.
With production by the much-lauded Wayne Connolly (You Am I, Underground Lovers, Youth Group, just about any Australian act of note...), "Feeding The Wolves" had the artist now rightly known as Josh Pyke letting his talent flow without constraint. The words seem to tumble out of him: honest, evocative, and emotional all at once. The playing - again mostly all Josh - is one moment sweetly melodic, then turning urgent and insistent as needs be. This range of feelings, packaged so they bounce around inside your head like good songs do, and given so generously, go together to make "Feeding The Wolves" the sound of an artist beginning to realise an enormous potential.
In 2007 Josh released his first full-length album 'Memories and Dust'. Although the record features three of the stand-out tracks from 'Feeding the Wolves' there are a further 8 tracks of similar quality, including the title track, which was the first single taken from the new batch. The release is again through Ivy League Records.
Josh's second album Chimney's Afire was released 4 October 2008 and was recorded at Sydney's Linear Recording studios. The first single off the album was "The Lighthouse Song", and the second was called "Make You Happy".
Silver
Josh Pyke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh now I see the design, the intricate framework to which i align
All my anguish and my happiness, but I got not time for this messÂ
Come down, come down with me, to check on the ashes of my history
I can't leave them alone, but sometimes I wish they would rot down below
But on the contrary, these fires flourish in me.
I know you're plotting my course, still influencing my dreams silver seahorse
I feel the mixture in me, fire and water musical ubiquity
And I know you're never quite there, satisfaction eluding you like clean air
One day I'll float on the tide, silver seahorse on a string mirrors the sky
I'll be alone on the sea, waiting for the sky to engulf me.
But out here alone on the night, my silver seahorse reflecting the light
I flash the ray 'cross the sea, hoping this beam still connects you to me
I know the tides changing my course, but I'm still the one who believes in my silver seahorse
But on the whole, or on the contrary, it's not alright, alright.
And falling through defects and consequential loss, it's not alright, alright.
The song "Silver" by Josh Pyke is a contemplation of one's past, present and future. In the opening lines, the song talks about how the stitches that have held something together have slowly come apart. This metaphor can be interpreted as the singer's life, which has been coming undone, stitch by stitch. But as he takes the time to look at the bigger picture and understand how things have come together, he realizes that there's a design to everything, an intricate framework, as he puts it.
The song then takes a melancholic turn, as the singer invites someone to come with him to see the ashes of his history. He is torn between leaving them behind and holding on to them, letting them become a part of him. But he accepts that the fires of his past, the challenges he's faced, have helped him flourish.
In the latter half of the song, the singer talks about his dreams, symbolized by a silver seahorse, something that's always been with him. He realizes that he's always been influenced by his dreams, and that they've played a big part in his life. But he's also aware that satisfaction is elusive, and that he's yet to reach his full potential. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer floating on the sea, waiting for the sky to engulf him.
Overall, "Silver" is a poignant reminder of how our past mistakes and experiences shape our present, and how difficult it can be to let go of the things that have made us who we are.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh no, what have I done, all of these stitches have split one by one
I am regretting my past actions and seeing the consequences unravel before me
Oh now I see the design, the intricate framework to which i align
I realize that my life has a purpose and I'm starting to understand how it all fits together
All my anguish and my happiness, but I got not time for this mess
I have experienced both joy and pain, but I don't have the time to dwell on it
Come down, come down with me, to check on the ashes of my history
Join me in examining the remnants of my past and exploring my memories
I can't leave them alone, but sometimes I wish they would rot down below
I am attached to my past, but at the same time, I wish it would fade away and no longer affect me
But on the contrary, these fires flourish in me.
Despite my conflicting feelings, my past experiences continue to fuel me and shape who I am
And I lay just 'fore I wake and you catch the sun and throw it down on my face
I am dreaming and imagining someone who has the power to influence and guide me, even in my unconscious state
I know you're plotting my course, still influencing my dreams silver seahorse
I am convinced that this person controls my destiny and is actively shaping my future
I feel the mixture in me, fire and water musical ubiquity
I sense a blend of opposing forces within me, creating a harmonious and universal sound
And I know you're never quite there, satisfaction eluding you like clean air
I acknowledge that this person I dream of is not always present and is seeking fulfillment that is hard to come by
One day I'll float on the tide, silver seahorse on a string mirrors the sky
Someday, I will be free from my past and my dream guide will lead me to new heights and unlimited possibilities
I'll be alone on the sea, waiting for the sky to engulf me.
I will face the unknown alone, but I am open and willing to embrace whatever comes next
But out here alone on the night, my silver seahorse reflecting the light
In my solitude, I am comforted by the reflection of my dream guide, my guide to the unknown
I flash the ray 'cross the sea, hoping this beam still connects you to me
I am sending out hope and connection, hoping that my guide is still with me on this journey
I know the tides changing my course, but I'm still the one who believes in my silver seahorse
I am aware that my life is changing direction, but I am the one who trusts in the hope and guidance of my dream guide
But on the whole, or on the contrary, it's not alright, alright.
Despite the optimism and hope, there is still uncertainty and distress in my life
And falling through defects and consequential loss, it's not alright, alright.
I acknowledge that my past actions and their consequences continue to affect me, and it is not alright
Contributed by Eli S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@KiwiEnforcer
wow only 1.5k views. this is a child/teen hood favorite.