British Singer Songwriter Julia Fordham burst into the music scene in 1988 … Read Full Bio ↴British Singer Songwriter Julia Fordham burst into the music scene in 1988 on Virgin Records with the International hit “Happy Ever After.” Then followed her critically acclaimed album Porcelain, which included the popular songs “Manhattan Skyline” and “Lock and Key.”

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.

Shame
Julia Fordham Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

There are not words to speak of
There are not words to say
There are not songs to sing on
News days like today

there's only time to carry
These darkest doubts away
There's only hope to cling to

On days like today

should hang our heads in shame
What we've done in god's name
Should hang our heads in shame
Only ourselves to blame

there are not dreams or feelings
That could seem to convey
There are not songs to sing on
News days like today

should hang our heads in shame
What we've done in god's name
Should hang our heads in shame
Only ourselves to blame

maybe I'm naive, I still believe in peace

Overall Meaning

Julia Fordham's song "Shame" is a poignant reflection on the dark aspects of humanity that have led us to the darkest of times. The song begins with the singer acknowledging that words and songs cannot fully capture the gravity of difficult news days. It is a call for action and introspection. There is only hope left to cling onto during such times.

The phrase 'Should hang our heads in shame / What we've done in god's name' refers to the sense of guilt and responsibility for allowing horrific acts of inhumanity to happen, particularly when they are perpetuated in the name of a higher power. The singer acknowledges that there are no feelings or dreams that could help in such moments. We are only left with our own conscience to question our actions and the path we take in life. Maybe we need to hang our heads in shame to recognize the gravity of the situation and take steps to prevent further damage.

Despite the despair and hopelessness felt by the singer as a result of the world's atrocities, there is still faith that peace can be achieved. In the final line of the song, the singer confesses, "Maybe I'm naive, I still believe in peace." It is a glimmer of hope that there can be love, compassion, and peace to counterbalance the horrors of this world.

Line by Line Meaning

There are not words to speak of
There are no words that can adequately express the emotions felt on tragic days like this

There are not words to say
Words cannot describe the sadness and despair we are feeling

There are not songs to sing on News days like today
Even music, which can express so much, cannot convey the sorrow of days like this

There's only time to carry These darkest doubts away
All we can do is try to let time heal our pain and suffering

There's only hope to cling to On days like today
Amidst the despair, we must hold onto hope and believe that things will get better

Should hang our heads in shame What we've done in god's name
We should feel a deep sense of guilt and remorse for the terrible things we sometimes do in the name of religion or other beliefs

Should hang our heads in shame Only ourselves to blame
We must take responsibility for our actions and the negative impact they may have on the world

There are not dreams or feelings That could seem to convey
Even our deepest dreams and emotions cannot begin to express the pain and suffering felt on days like this

Maybe I'm naive, I still believe in peace
Despite all the tragedy and chaos in the world, the artist still believes that peace is possible and that we must strive towards it

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JULIA FORDHAM

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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