By the age of 12 Simpson was playing guitar and banjo. In 1970, Simpson dropped out of college to become a full-time professional musician, touring folk clubs. In 1976 he recorded his first solo album "Golden Vanity". In the same year he opened for Steeleye Span on their UK tour. Teaming up with June Tabor, a folk singer who didn't play an instrument, Simpson toured folk clubs and appeared at festivals. They recorded three albums together, highlighting each other's complementary talents. There was a fluid jazzy feel about their approach to traditional material.
In the 1980s he moved to America, originally to Ithaca, New York then to Santa Cruz and finally New Orleans.
Over the next ten years Simpson became more and more adventurous, playing blues, bluegrass, cajun and even Indian-inflected music. He released a series of albums right through the 1990s, eventually moving back to the UK.
In 2003 he teamed up with June Tabor again. A readers' poll of the magazine "Acoustic Guitar" voted him as number 12 in the world in 2005.
In 2007 Simpson released "Prodigal Son". The 2008 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards voted it as best album. The fRoots critics poll voted it as the 7th best new album of 2007. It is a mixture of traditional songs and Simpson originals, the highlights of which possess a distinctly southern American flavor.
Simpson is now married to Kit Bailey, the daughter of the singer Roy Bailey, with whom Simpson occasionally performs. Martin and Kit now live in Sheffield and have a daughter.
I Want You
Martin Simpson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where did you go?
I thought I knew you,
What did I know?
You don't look different, but you have changed.
I'm looking through you, you're not the same.
Your lips are moving,
Your voice is soothing,
But the words aren't clear.
You don't sound different,
I've learned the game.
I'm looking through you,
You're not the same.
Why, tell me why, did you not treat me right?
Love has a nasty habit of disappearing overnight.
You're thinking of me,
The same old way.
You were above me,
But not today.
The only difference is you're down there.
I'm looking through you,
Any other way.
Why, tell me why did you not treat me right?
Love has a nasty habit of disappearing overnight.
I'm looking through you,
Where did you go?
I thought I knew you,
What did I know?
You don't look different,
But you have changed.
I'm looking through you,
You're not the same!
In Martin Simpson's "I’m Looking Through You," the singer addresses someone he thought he knew but who has since changed. The song's opening verses describe the singer's uncertainty and confusion upon realizing that this person isn't who he thought they were. The second verse hints at some kind of misdeed or betrayal on the part of the other person, mentioning that they "did not treat me right" and that love has a habit of disappearing overnight.
The third verse finds the singer trying to reconcile the past version of this person that he knew with the person they have become. He notes that the other person still thinks of him in the same way as before, but that he has moved on and now sees the other person in a new light. The final verse repeats the opening lines, emphasizing the fact that the singer is no longer able to see this person as they once were.
Overall, the song is a powerful exploration of how time and change can alter our perceptions of the people we thought we knew, and how painful it can be when those changes prove irreconcilable.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm looking through you,
I'm trying to understand you, see into your true self.
Where did you go?
Where did your true personality disappear to?
I thought I knew you,
I believed that I understood your character completely.
What did I know?
What part of my assumptions about you was true?
You don't look different, but you have changed.
Externally, you appear unchanged, but your state of mind and emotions have altered.
Your lips are moving,
You speak, as I expected you to.
I cannot hear.
But I'm unable to understand the words you're saying.
Your voice is soothing,
Your tone of speech is reassuring and calming.
But the words aren't clear.
Despite your calming voice, your speech lacks clarity and sense.
You don't sound different,
Your voice maintains the same tone.
I've learned the game.
I'm familiar with how you communicate and manage the situation.
Why, tell me why, did you not treat me right?
Can you explain why you mistreated me?
Love has a nasty habit of disappearing overnight.
People can lose feelings of love suddenly and unexpectedly.
You're thinking of me,
You're still recalling memories of us.
The same old way.
Your thoughts are following the same pattern from the past.
You were above me,
Earlier, in the relationship, you were more dominant and superior.
But not today.
Currently, the ratio of power in our bond has changed.
The only difference is you're down there.
The sole distinction is that now you are lower in power than I am.
Any other way.
I cannot view you differently anymore because my perception of you has changed.
You're not the same!
The essence of your personality has now shifted completely.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
GandalfTheWhite
Superb buddy! Great singing and great picking. Great tension in your playing! Just a lovely rendition of a lovely song!
Paul Bennett
You do know who Martin Simpson is don't you. He is one of the best guitarists on the folk scene!
Deebemc
Lowell George masterpiece sung by a master musician. Five star.
tjmitch
Love it
cduggerct1
What's your tuning friend? Nice job
Manny Koum
Anyone knows where I can find the lyrics..
GG PR
dadgad