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.
Island
Julia Fordham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you make yourself an island, I'm gonna sail straight out to you
If you burn your bridges one by one, I'll not give up on you.
But if you scratch, scratch the surface, underneath the skin
Under the armour of that iron woman
So many things lie within...
Oh don't you know the love for a woman, for a woman, for a woman
Is there to the end, there to the end...?
I know you're feeling bitter and twisted, I've seen it
Seeping out of every pore
Rising up beyond the goodness of a perfect human core
And if you peel, peel away the wisdom, underneath the skin
I wonder, I wonder, I wonder, I wonder what lies within...
Oh don't you lose my love, oh don't you lose your love my friend
Oh don't you know the love for a woman, for a woman
Is there to the end, there to the end?
I just wanted to say you know I love you...
If you bite, bite the hand that feeds you, don't think he'll
Keep coming back for more
'Cause this is real life not the movies girl, I've told you that before
But if you scrape, scrape at the bravado, underneath the skin
Under the armour of everybody, so many things lie hidden...
So don't you, don't you, don't you doubt my love
Like you doubt the love of all your friends
Oh don't you know the love for a woman (repeat 11 times)
Is there to the end, there to the end?
Island
Bitter and twisted...
The song "Island" by Julia Fordham is a beautiful expression of complex emotions and relationships. The lyrics suggest that the singer has a profound love for someone who is struggling with bitterness and a defensive exterior, but the singer is determined to break through to the person and reveal the softer, more vulnerable side. The metaphor of an island suggests that the person has become isolated and cut off from others, but the singer is willing to sail out to them and offer support. The song implies that love can conquer even the toughest barriers and reach deep into the heart.
The first verse sets up the metaphor and the determination of the singer to reach the person. The second verse acknowledges the bitterness and suggests that it is seeping out from underneath the person's façade. The third verse speaks to doubts and fears, suggesting that the person is afraid of losing love and is testing the singer's commitment. The final verse shifts to a warning about biting the hand that feeds, implying that the person may push love away if they don't learn to trust and let down walls.
One interesting interpretation of "Island" is that it may be a message to someone struggling with addiction or mental illness. The island metaphor could represent isolation and withdrawal, while the determination of the singer to reach the person could represent the power of love and support to help someone heal. The lyrics suggest that there is more to the person than their exterior would suggest, and that there is hope even in the midst of struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
If you make yourself an island, I'm gonna sail straight out to you
I will come to you even if you isolate yourself
If you burn your bridges one by one, I'll not give up on you.
Even if you cut off your options, I will still be with you
But if you scratch, scratch the surface, underneath the skin
Under the armour of that iron woman
So many things lie within...
There may be more to you than what you show on the surface
So don't you test my love like you test the love of your boyfriends
Oh don't you know the love for a woman, for a woman, for a woman
Is there to the end, there to the end...?
My love is strong and unconditional, don't take advantage of it
I know you're feeling bitter and twisted, I've seen it
Seeping out of every pore
Rising up beyond the goodness of a perfect human core
And if you peel, peel away the wisdom, underneath the skin
I wonder, I wonder, I wonder, I wonder what lies within...
There may be some negativity inside of you, and I wonder what it is
Oh don't you lose my love, oh don't you lose your love my friend
Oh don't you know the love for a woman, for a woman
Is there to the end, there to the end?
Don't let our love fade away, it's meant to last forever
If you bite, bite the hand that feeds you, don't think he'll
Keep coming back for more
'Cause this is real life not the movies girl, I've told you that before
But if you scrape, scrape at the bravado, underneath the skin
Under the armour of everybody, so many things lie hidden...
You can't keep hurting those who care for you without consequences, there may be more to others than what they show on the surface
So don't you, don't you, don't you doubt my love
Like you doubt the love of all your friends
Oh don't you know the love for a woman (repeat 11 times)
Is there to the end, there to the end?
Have faith in my love for you, it's not like the love of others
I just wanted to say you know I love you...
I want you to know that I love you
Island
The title of the song, which may symbolize isolation or loneliness
Bitter and twisted...
A description of the negative feelings the subject is experiencing
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JULIA FORDHAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind