From her third album Swept, the beautiful ballad “Love Moves In Mysterious Ways” (penned by the stellar song writing team Dean Pitchford and Tom Snow) was featured as the end title in the Demi Moore movie, The Butchers Wife, and went Top 20 in the UK and reached the #1 spot in the Philippines.
In 2009, Julia self released her tenth record China Blue on Little Boo Records, exclusively available through CD Baby. This jazz record is comprised of original songs written by Julia and produced and arranged by the wonderfully talented multi-instrumentalist Grant Mitchell.
As there are so many jazz “standards” records – Julia longed to release an album of original songs. However, when she played some gigs, jazz songs were added to the set, including a version of Michael McDonald’s hit “I keep Forgettin.” Rearranged and produced for this record by Jon Gilutin (Linda Ronstadt), she was thrilled when the co-producer of this song Simon Climie (Eric Clapton, Michael McDonald) played the track to Michael. Having always been a huge fan, Julia was delighted when immediately after hearing her rendition of his song, Michael added his remarkable voice to the track, blessing it with his rare and distinctive vocal sound.
After a long and illustrious career, selling millions of records worldwide on Virgin Records and three releases on Vanguard Records, including a live CD and accompanying DVD, That’s Live was recorded and filmed at the House of Blues in Hollywood and released in 2005. Produced by Larry Klein (Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock, Madeline Peyroux), it included an all star band and featured a stunning duet on the song “Concrete Love” with Grammy Award winning artist India.Arie and trumpet player/composer (“Crash”) Mark Isham.
Also, available exclusively from iTunes, The Baby Love EP, an exquisite collection of songs that Julia wrote for her daughter Marley Rose.
Currently Julia is in the studio with actor/comedian and classically trained pianist Paul Reiser collaborating on a record of original songs which is expected to be released in the Fall.
Guilty
Julia Fordham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My rose tinted glasses are incredible
Blinding me to the inevitable
Coloring my judgment like a jumbo pack of pens
Like the ones you buy for birthday's
For children of your friends
I silenced Miss Righteous with one stony glare
Figuring what would she know anyway
Yet thanks to her I'm standing her
Defiantly today
I was clearly guilty
Of only being able to see
The good you did for me
My white flag was flying in the wind
Though you had no heard for surrendering
On we marched regardless for reason's still unknown
Sometimes the wrong thing
Seems so much better than being alone
I was clearly guilty
Of only being able to see
The good you did for me
Is this a good time to mention
Some where contemplating
An earthly intervention
We're all blessed with 20/20 hindsight
You're just another thing
I didn't quite get it right
I was clearly guilty
Of only being able to see
The good you did for me
The song “Guilty" by Julia Fordham tells a story about the experience of being in a relationship and choosing to ignore signs of the inevitable end. The lyrics start off with the metaphor of “rose-tinted glasses” that someone uses that make it difficult to see things clearly. The singer seems to indulge in her blindness, equating the glasses to a pack of pens that have different colors, but are still fun to take out for a child's birthday. The inner guide in her, which she refers to as “Miss Righteous,” warns her to be care and take notice of the red flags, but she chooses to silence it.
As the relationship unfolds, it becomes clear that it's not meant to last. The singer continues to fly a white flag, hoping to signal surrender, but the other person is not looking for it. Despite this, they continue to march on together, even though there is no clear reason why. The lyrics take an introspective turn in the final verse, with the singer acknowledging the mistakes they made. They mention “20/20 hindsight,” indicating that they now understand the mistake they made. The chorus emphasizes this point by stating that the singer was “clearly guilty” of only being able to see the good in the other person.
Overall, "Guilty" by Julia Fordham is a relatable song that touches on the experience of ignoring warning signs in a relationship, even when they are clearly visible.
Line by Line Meaning
My rose tinted glasses are incredible
I am unable to see the negativity and flaws in this relationship due to my idealized view of it.
Blinding me to the inevitable
This view is preventing me from acknowledging what is unavoidably going to happen in the future.
Coloring my judgment like a jumbo pack of pens
My perception of reality is being influenced and distorted by this overly optimistic outlook.
Like the ones you buy for birthday's
A reference to the colorful and cheerful nature of the pens, which reflects the happy and upbeat tone of the relationship.
For children of your friends
Emphasizing the childlike naivete and innocence underlying my perspective.
My inner guide was screaming look out beware
My intuition was warning me of the potential dangers and pitfalls of this relationship.
I silenced Miss Righteous with one stony glare
I chose to ignore this voice of reason and dismiss it as unwarranted criticism.
Figuring what would she know anyway
I confidently dismissed any doubts and concerns, assuming that my own judgement was superior and more accurate.
Yet thanks to her I'm standing here defiantly today
Despite resisting this opposing view initially, I am now able to stand up for myself and assert my independence as a result of it.
My white flag was flying in the wind
I had given up and surrendered to this idealized vision of the relationship, even though it was causing harm.
Though you had no heard for surrendering
My partner was not interested in compromising or making any changes to resolve the issues in the relationship.
On we marched regardless for reason's still unknown
We continued forward with the relationship despite there being no clear rationale or justification for doing so.
Sometimes the wrong thing seems so much better than being alone
I held onto this relationship, even though it was toxic, because the fear of being alone was worse.
Is this a good time to mention Some where contemplating An earthly intervention
I am considering seeking external help or advice to resolve the issues in the relationship.
We're all blessed with 20/20 hindsight
Looking back, it is obvious what the right course of action was and what mistakes were made.
You're just another thing I didn't quite get it right
This relationship was another instance where things did not turn out as I had hoped or expected.
I was clearly guilty Of only being able to see The good you did for me
Overall, I am overwhelmingly fixated on the positive aspects of the relationship and fail to acknowledge the negative impact it had on me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ADRIAN NEWMAN, JOHAN BANG-JOHANSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind