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.
The First Cut Is the Deepest
Martin Simpson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But there's someone who's torn it apart
And she's taking almost all that I've got
But if you want, I'll try to love again
Baby I'll try to love again but I know
The first cut is the deepest, baby I know
The first cut is the deepest
When it comes to lovin' me she's worse
But when it comes to being loved she's first
That's how I know
The first cut is the deepest, baby I know
The first cut is the deepest
I still want you by my side
Just to help me dry the tears that I've cried
Cause I'm sure gonna give you a try
And if you want, I'll try to love again
But baby, I'll try to love again, but I know
The first cut is the deepest, baby I know
The first cut is the deepest
'Cause when it comes to being lucky she's cursed
When it comes to lovin' me she's worse
But when it comes to being loved she's first
That's how I know
The first cut is the deepest, baby I know
The first cut is the deepest
Martin Simpson's "The First Cut Is the Deepest" is a soulful ballad discussing the pain of a failed relationship and the difficulty of trying to love again. Initially, the singer expresses a willingness to give all of his heart to his new love interest, despite his past heartbreak. However, he reveals that his previous lover has torn apart his heart, leaving him with very little to give. The singer then acknowledges that while he wants to try to love again, he is aware that the first cut is the deepest, suggesting that the pain of his first heartbreak will linger and make it harder for him to trust and love again.
The chorus repeats the sentiment that the first cut is the deepest, emphasizing the lasting impact of the first heartbreak. The second verse of the song further elaborates on the singer's past relationship, portraying his previous lover as "cursed" when it comes to luck and love for him. However, the singer also admits that she was the first to love him, suggesting that his previous lover still holds a special place in his heart. In the final verse, the singer expresses a desire for his new lover to help him heal and move on from his past heartbreak.
Overall, "The First Cut Is the Deepest" is a poignant reflection on the impact of heartbreak and the challenges of trying to love again. Simpson's emotional vocals and expressive guitar work add to the depth of the song's meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
I would have given you all of my heart
I was willing to give you everything I had
But there's someone who's torn it apart
But another person has broken me and hurt me deeply
And she's taking almost all that I've got
This person has taken almost everything from me, leaving me with very little left
But if you want, I'll try to love again
However, if you are willing, I will attempt to love once more
Baby I'll try to love again but I know
Baby, I will give it my all but I am aware that it won't be easy
The first cut is the deepest, baby I know
The initial pain of heartbreak is the most severe and I am familiar with it
The first cut is the deepest
The first instance of heartbreak causes the most damage
'cause when it comes to being lucky she's cursed
The person who broke my heart is unlucky in most aspects of their life
When it comes to lovin' me she's worse
This same person can't love me as well as they should or as well as I love them
But when it comes to being loved she's first
Despite all of this, this person has been loved the most by me
That's how I know
I have learned this through experience
I still want you by my side
I still desire to have you close to me
Just to help me dry the tears that I've cried
I need your comfort and help to ease the pain I feel
Cause I'm sure gonna give you a try
Because I am hopeful that things will be different with you
And if you want, I'll try to love again
And if you are willing, I will make an effort to love again
But baby, I'll try to love again, but I know
However, I am aware that it won't be easy to love again after being hurt so badly
Writer(s): Yusuf Islam, Cat Stevens
Contributed by Daniel B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Robert M
Lovely.