Half Japanese and half New Zealander, de Clive-Lowe was born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand. He grew up playing piano from age 4 and an active musical interest throughout his childhood and teenage years. Since 1996, de Clive-Lowe has been a regular touring fixture primarily in the US, UK, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Multiple world tours have included performances at the Montreal Jazz Festival, Detroit Electronic Music Festival, Amsterdam Drum Rhythm Festival, London Jazz Festival, SildaJazz, Jazz A Vienne and more.
Having recorded two locally released solo albums for New Zealand independent Tap Records in the late 1990s (plus an album as a member of the group Jazz In The Present Sense), his third album Six Degrees was released worldwide in 2000 (Universal Jazz/emarcy). The following release "Melodious Beats vol.1" was a compilation album of his remixes and collaborations released on his own imprint Antipodean Records. De Clive-Lowe released his next full length album Tide's Arising 22 March 2005 on ABB Soul/Antipodean and Columbia in Japan. The album features Pino Palladino. Tide's Arising was considered to be one of the most groundbreaking new jazz albums from the UK in 2005.
Mark de Clive-Lowe's next solo album, Renegades, was released 14 November 2011 on Tru Thoughts. The album features Omar, Sheila E., Nia Andrews, Tawiah, Ovasoul7 and Sandra Nkake. The Why featuring Nia Andrews was released as the first single in early October 2011. His latest album is a collaboration with the Rotterdam Jazz Orchestra big band 'Take the Space Trane' (Tru Thoughts Records) recorded live at De Doelen, Rotterdam Netherlands. He has also produced all tracks on the studio album for US singer Sy Smith, 'Fast and Curious' released in March 2012, and all tracks on the studio album for US singer Sandra St. Victor of The Family Stand, 'Oya's Daughter' released September 2013.
In October, 2013, the musician announced his 11th studio album, CHURCH, which is to be funded as a crowd-funded project on Kickstarter. The album is named after the music event Mark has presented in New York and Los Angeles since 2000. It is expected to be released in May 2014.
Selected remixes: Omar, Jody Watley, Shirley Horn, Chico Hamilton, Shirley Bassey, ÇeU, Jerry Goldsmith
Selected productions: Sandra St. Victor, Sy Smith, Lady Alma, Rasiyah, The Politik, Freesoul Sessions
Selected collaborators: Nia Andrews, Bembe Segue, Phil Asher/restless soul, DJ Spinna, Kenny Dope/Masters At Work, Leon Ware, Pino Palladino, Julie Dexter, Sammy Figueroa, Dave Angel, Sci-Clone/Metalheadz, Joe Clausell, Francois K
Everything
Mark de Clive-Lowe Lyrics
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Trying to be more asserting
In the words in which I chose to say and chose to keep
I've been keeping my nose down
So I can hold my head up high
It'd be a lie to say I'm alright all the time
Trying's not enough
I'd rather die most days than be me
Hold it together through the workweek
Do my best not to lose sleep
Well I guess I could take some pills or smoke some weed
Anything to ease up everything
Wore out the soles of my shoes
Got tired of playing the blues
Still learning how to hear a smile when I sing
I'm getting better but not by much
Trying's not enough
I'd rather die most days than be me
Hold it together through the workweek
Do my best not to lose sleep
Well I guess I could take some pills or smoke some weed
Anything to ease up everything
Ground shaking rush of giving in
Come so close to sidewalk's end
Fresh wounds to brace my fall
Bruises from the call it offs
Winded heart, rib cage caving in
Work so hard for means to an end
Praying that I get it right
At least once in my lifetime
Ground shaking rush of giving in
Come so close to sidewalk's end
Fresh wounds to brace my fall
Bruises from the call it offs
Winded heart, rib cage caving in
Work so hard for means to an end
Praying that I get it right
At least once in my lifetime
Anything to ease up everything
The lyrics of Mark de Clive-Lowe's song "Everything" portray a sense of struggle, vulnerability, and constant effort to improve oneself. The singer is depicted as someone who wakes up early and tries to be more assertive in their communication. They emphasize the importance of choosing their words wisely and keeping certain things to themselves.
The first verse reflects a desire to hold their head up high by staying focused and diligent. However, the lyrics also reveal that this endeavor is not easy. The line "It'd be a lie to say I'm alright all the time" suggests that the singer is not always okay and battles with their emotional state.
The chorus expresses a sense of frustration and internal struggle. The line "I'm getting better but not by much, trying's not enough" indicates that the singer is making progress, but it is a slow and challenging process. The lyrics further convey their dissatisfaction with themselves, as they express a preference to die rather than continue being who they are. This extreme statement reveals the depth of their inner turmoil.
In the second verse, the singer discusses the ways they cope with their difficulties. They talk about trying to hold themselves together during the workweek and avoid losing sleep. The lyrics suggest that they contemplate using substances like pills or smoking weed to ease their struggles, highlighting the desperation they feel to find relief from their emotional pain.
The bridge of the song expresses the physical and emotional toll that the singer endures. The image of worn-out shoes and playing the blues symbolizes their fatigue and exhaustion. They acknowledge that they are still learning how to recognize happiness, even when they sing.
Overall, "Everything" explores themes of self-doubt, personal growth, and the relentless pursuit of happiness. It delves into the complexities of inner battles and the lengths one may go to relieve their emotional burden.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been waking up early
I have been starting my days early
Trying to be more asserting
Striving to be more assertive
In the words in which I chose to say and chose to keep
In the words I decide to speak and the ones I choose to keep to myself
I've been keeping my nose down
I have been staying focused and avoiding distractions
So I can hold my head up high
In order to maintain my self-confidence
It'd be a lie to say I'm alright all the time
It would be dishonest to claim that I'm always fine
I'm getting better but not by much
I am making progress, although it's not significant
Trying's not enough
Putting in effort alone is insufficient
I'd rather die most days than be me
I often feel that my existence is unbearable
Hold it together through the workweek
Keeping myself composed during the workweek
Do my best not to lose sleep
Trying to avoid losing sleep over my troubles
Well, I guess I could take some pills or smoke some weed
I consider resorting to substances like pills or weed to alleviate my stress
Anything to ease up everything
Anything that could lighten the burden of life
Wore out the soles of my shoes
I have worn down the soles of my shoes
Got tired of playing the blues
I grew weary of feeling down and depressed
Still learning how to hear a smile when I sing
I am still figuring out how to express happiness in my singing
Ground shaking rush of giving in
A powerful sensation of surrendering
Come so close to sidewalk's end
Approaching the brink of a breakdown
Fresh wounds to brace my fall
New emotional wounds to prepare myself for the fall
Bruises from the call it offs
Emotional scars from failed relationships
Winded heart, rib cage caving in
An emotionally exhausted heart, feeling as if the rib cage is collapsing
Work so hard for means to an end
Putting in significant effort to achieve a desired outcome
Praying that I get it right
Hoping and wishing to succeed
At least once in my lifetime
Even if it's only once in my entire life
Anything to ease up everything
Anything that could alleviate the weight of life's challenges
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Carson Lowe, Laura Short
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Edward Valdez
wicked vocals
Spectre
I love this track! transcend...