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.
Safe
Julia Fordham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Although this angry mouth is filled
With words to fracture an unknowing heart
Enough to tear your very world apart
Turning my knowing look away
Fumbling for something to say
God only knows I've done things I regret
So if you're wondering
You can be
Safe in the knowledge
That your secret's safe with me
Can't help wondering
What you'd do
If you found out she'd done the same to you
There's no logic, there's no gain
There's no way you can explain
Not that I want or expect you to
We're all the prisoners of the things we do
So if you're wondering
You can be
Safe in the knowledge
That your secret's safe with me
Can't help wondering
What you'd do
If you found out she'd done the same to you
Safe in the knowledge, safe
Safe in the knowledge, safe
So if you're wondering
You can be
Safe in the knowledge
That your secret's safe with me
Can't help wondering
What you'd do
If you found out she'd done the same to you
In "Safe", Julia Fordham sings about the secrets we keep and the guilt we carry. She acknowledges her own mistakes and decisions which have led her to be a prisoner of her own conscience. Even though her mouth is filled with words that could tear someone's world apart, she keeps her lips sealed and prefers to let the secrets remain hidden. She fumbles for something to say but can't find the right words to convey her emotions. The lines "Turning my knowing look away" suggest that she has already figured out the secret but chooses to ignore it to protect the other person's dignity or to avoid unsettling the delicate balance of the relationship.
In the chorus, Julia offers assurance to the person with the secret. She tells them that they can trust her with their secret. They can be "safe in the knowledge" that she won't reveal it to anyone else. However, there is a hint of curiosity when Julia wonders what the person would do if they found out that someone had done the same to them. It could be interpreted as a sign of empathy or a warning to the person to not take the relationship for granted.
The song Safe is a powerful message on the importance of trust, loyalty and the burden of secrets. The song speaks to a universal emotion that brings people together as we all have secrets that we want to keep. These secrets can cause us to feel isolated or even ashamed. Thus, the idea of having someone to trust and share our secrets with is comforting. The song is a reminder that we are all fragile and susceptible to making mistakes.
Line by Line Meaning
These tired lips are sealed
Despite feeling angry and hurt, I will not reveal what I know.
Although this angry mouth is filled
Though I have a lot to say, I will not speak out of turn.
With words to fracture an unknowing heart
I could say things that would hurt others deeply, but I won't.
Enough to tear your very world apart
I could destroy everything you hold dear, but I won't.
Turning my knowing look away
I refuse to engage further, and will not even make eye contact.
Fumbling for something to say
I am struggling to find words that won't cause harm.
God only knows I've done things I regret
I have my own skeletons in the closet, and know the feeling of regret well.
So many I'm trying hard to forget
I wish I could erase these memories, but I am doing my best to move on.
So if you're wondering
If you are curious or concerned,
You can be
Rest assured that
Safe in the knowledge
You can trust that I won't tell anyone,
That your secret's safe with me
And that I will keep your confidence.
Can't help wondering
But I can't help but wonder
What you'd do
What your reaction would be
If you found out she'd done the same to you
If you discovered that someone had been keeping a secret about you.
There's no logic, there's no gain
There is no sense to be made of this situation, and no benefit to exposing anyone.
There's no way you can explain
There is no justification or explanation for these secrets and mistakes.
Not that I want or expect you to
I am not asking you to explain yourself or justify your actions.
We're all the prisoners of the things we do
We are all held captive by our past mistakes and secrets, and can't always escape them.
Safe in the knowledge, safe
You can rely on the fact that I won't tell anyone, and feel safe.
So if you're wondering
If you're still wondering or worrying,
You can be
You can still take comfort in
Safe in the knowledge
Your secrets will not be exposed,
That your secret's safe with me
And that I will keep your trust and confidence.
Can't help wondering
I can't help but speculate and imagine
What you'd do
How you would react
If you found out she'd done the same to you
If you also discovered someone had been keeping secrets about you.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JULIA FORDHAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind