In the 1990s Justin generally operated under various guises, the most renowned being Lionrock with whom he scored several Top 40s hits - 'Rudeboy Rock' and 'Packet Of Peace' among them - and appeared on Top Of The Pops in a dashing purple suit opting for gramophones over Technics. Songs were plucked from the albums Instinct For Detection and City Delirious for the films Go and City Of Industry and Lionrock shared the stage with acts as diverse as Death In Vegas, The Chemical Brothers and the Cocteau Twins. It wasn't until 2001 that Justin stepped out under his own name releasing house and techno like 'Have Mercy' for the Bugged Out imprint. In 2001 he recorded his most critically acclaimed project to date Justin Robertson presents Revtone which brought primitive house and new wave disco into the digital age. Originally on Nuphonic the best tracks came out through Bugged Out, with 'Love Movement' - remixed by Ulrich Schnauss who cited Justin's early work as an influence - being placed second best single of 2003 by Jockey Slut magazine. Contemporaries Black Strobe, Chicken Lips and Kiki also remixed Revtone tracks. Expect the second chapter from Revtone in 2007 as Justin is busy on new material with Mark Ralph. For someone with such diverse tastes it should have come as no surprise to anyone when Justin began recording and singing with a guitar. He has been writing songs since his school days and played electric guitar in Lionrock. 2004’s 'Twisted and Torn' (released on Slut Smalls) reflected his love for singer songwriters like Neil Young and Nick Drake. In the same year he also wrote a song with Tim Burgess and Rob Playford called 'Yes It Is’. It became one of the most requested songs on Sean Rowley’s BBC London show and came out on Justin’s Blister Ballads 7” label in the fall of 2006. As a man as reknowned for his reggae collection as his electronica Justin was an obvious choice for Wall of Sound's Two Culture Clash album project. He recorded in Jamaica in 2005 at the legendary Gee Jam studios with the lovers rock of 'Save Me' - featuring guitarist Ernest Ranglin and Nadine Sutherland - the beautiful result. As a DJ Justin plays a mix of techno and electronic house at clubs such as The Loft in Barcelona, Pacha in Buenos Aires, Bugged Out in Manchester, Shine in Belfast, Chibuku in Liverpool, Together at Turnmills in London, and at various clubs all over Europe and the rest of the world
Depth
Lionrock Lyrics
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Stare at the sea. Stare at the sea. I dream
I dream. And hope. And wish
Some things are best expressed by nature
Like the song of a sun
We split our roads in a race to power
Like we split the atom
Is it only love that you favor?
Truth is the flavor
Fear is the flip side
No faith in the warm skin
Brotherhood shows when the surface breaks from the outside
So you encounter yourself
While watching you body cry
When the all the faults don't seem like the tools you used to create your life
Thoughts fermenting
I am repenting
For the trouble I caused
My peace. My wars
Man on the shore watching a stream
Looks through the ripples to rocks in the bed
Plants broke the surface seeds in the soft sands
Roots hold to rocks as the currents fled
Plants broke the surface the seeds in the dragonfly
Seeds now the stem now the seeds of a plant
Life to expression sounds like a blood flow
Ear to the skin heartbeat of a man
Man on a hill watching the city
He looks through the clouds the clocks in the tower
Well life brought the surface, protect what's within
Same from the winds and the foreign power
Man broke the surface the woman and the child
Dream now the columns of black smoke
Life to corruption the fear of the true flow
Ear to the earth heartbeat of a whole
Some things are best expressed (x3) by nature
Like the song of the sun (Song of the sun)
The song of the sun (Song of the sun)
The song of the sun
The opening lines of the song, "I often sit and stare at the sea. I dream. I dream. And hope. And wish" are quite self-explanatory. The singer is taking time out of their day-to-day life, possibly feeling a bit lost and disconnected, and sitting by the ocean in contemplation. The repetition of the words "I dream" emphasize the singer's desire to escape reality and possibly find a deeper connection to themselves, their emotions or to something spiritual.
The following verse, "Some things are best expressed by nature like the song of the sun" suggests the singer is feeling a sense of discontent in society, perhaps in the way we treat the earth and each other, which is juxtaposed with the beauty and harmony of nature. The line "We split our roads in a race to power, like we split the atom" is a metaphor for society's desire for instant gratification at the expense of the environment and other living beings. The lines "Is it only love that you favor? Truth is the flavor. Fear is the flip side. No faith in the warm skin" express the frustration and confusion the singer feels towards societal values, raising questions about what truly matters and the impact of fear.
The final verse uses symbolism to connect human life with the natural world. The imagery of "Plants broke the surface seeds in the soft sands roots hold to rocks as the currents fled" and "Life to expression sounds like a blood flow ear to the skin heartbeat of a man" suggests that there is a connection between all living beings and the rhythms of the natural world. The line "Life to corruption fear of the true flow ear to the earth heartbeat of a whole" is a comment on the impact of pollution, over-consumption and destruction of the environment, which threatens the survival of all living things.
Line by Line Meaning
I often sit. I often sit. I often sit and stare at the sea
I spend a lot of time sitting and staring at the ocean, lost in my own thoughts and dreams.
Stare at the sea. Stare at the sea. I dream
I stare at the ocean and let myself dream of whatever I desire.
I dream. And hope. And wish
My mind is filled with dreams, hopes, and wishes for the future.
Some things are best expressed by nature
Nature can often convey feelings and ideas better than words ever could.
Like the song of a sun
One example of nature's beautiful expression is the sound of the sun.
We split our roads in a race to power
Society often becomes divided as people pursue power and success.
Like we split the atom
This division can have destructive consequences, just like the splitting of an atom.
Is it only love that you favor?
Do you only value positive emotions, or can you also acknowledge negative ones?
Truth is the flavor
Honesty is essential - it adds meaning and depth to our experiences.
Fear is the flip side
Fear is the opposite of love, and can have a powerful impact on our lives.
No faith in warm skin
The surface appearance of someone or something isn't enough to gain my trust.
Brotherhood shows when the surface breaks from the outside
True brotherhood is revealed when external factors cause people to come together and support each other.
So you encounter yourself
This kind of unity can lead to personal self-discovery and growth.
While watching your body cry
It may be a difficult process, but watching yourself go through emotional pain can result in greater understanding and empathy for others.
When all the faults don't seem like the tools you used to create your life
Through this self-reflection, past mistakes and flaws no longer define us, but instead become lessons and experiences that have helped shape our lives.
Thoughts fermenting
My mind is constantly processing and evolving, much like fermentation of food or drink.
I am repenting
I am acknowledging and regretting the mistakes I've made in the past.
For the trouble I caused
I take responsibility for the negative impact I've had on others.
My peace. My wars
I am responsible for my own inner peace and happiness, and also for any negative emotions or conflicts I experience.
Man on the shore watching a stream
The imagery of a man watching a stream symbolizes the passage of time and the ever-changing nature of life.
Looks through the ripples to rocks in the bed
Even though we cannot see beneath the surface, there are always underlying foundations and truths that support us.
Plants broke the surface seeds in the soft sands
From something small and fragile, new life and growth can emerge.
Roots hold to rocks as the currents fled
Just as roots hold onto rocks to keep sturdy, we need strong connections and support to weather the storms of life.
Plants broke the surface the seeds in the dragonfly
New life can come in many forms, sometimes unexpected and even divine.
Seeds now the stem now the seeds of a plant
Life is a constant cycle of growth, decay, and renewal.
Life to expression sounds like a blood flow
Just as blood flows through our veins, life and passion moves through us and is expressed in our actions and creations.
Ear to the skin heartbeat of a man
Similar to the sound of a heart beating, the things we create represent an innate part of ourselves.
Man on a hill watching the city
The perspective of a person watching over their surroundings represents awareness, observation, and contemplation.
He looks through the clouds the clocks in the tower
Through the haze and chaos of the world, there are still clear patterns, routines, and systems that govern our lives.
Well life brought the surface, protect what's within
Life can be unpredictable and difficult, but we can protect and strengthen our inner selves.
Same from the winds and the foreign power
We can be resilient and stay true to ourselves even when facing external pressures or societal expectations.
Man broke the surface the woman and the child
Human relationships and connections are deep and complex, and can have both positive and negative impacts.
Dream now the columns of black smoke
The imagery of black smoke represents destruction and chaos, and can symbolize the darker aspects of human nature.
Life to corruption the fear of the true flow
Through greed and corruption, humanity can destroy the natural balance and harmony of the world.
Ear to the earth heartbeat of a whole
Just as the earth has its own heartbeat, there is an interconnectedness and unity among all living beings and the world itself.
Some things are best expressed (x3) by nature
Nature has a profound ability to communicate and express emotions and ideas.
Like the song of the sun (Song of the sun)
The sound of the sun represents one example of nature's beautiful expression.
The song of the sun (Song of the sun)
This repetition emphasizes the importance and power of nature's expression.
The song of the sun
The sound of the sun represents a profound, mystical expression of the natural world.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JUSTIN ROBERTSON, SEAN BRAITHWAITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind