Paynter began playing instruments from a young age, playing the piano at the age of seven, and learning guitar and drums by the time he was 15. At the age of 16, he began playing in touring bands across the Australia. Regarding music, Paynter says that it "was always something I was going to do, because it fires up my soul like nothing else". He studied law for a year, but returned to music. Although Paynter liked law school and intends to return, he says the choice was either "tour the country and play guitar or study books", and the decision "was a no-brainer". Paynter says that playing drums makes him a better guitarist, playing guitar makes him a better keyboardist, and playing all three makes him a better singer.
Michael has travelled the globe four times in as many years, and written with the finest in his field, from Guy Chambers [Robbie Williams] and Adam Argyle [Newton Faulkner] in the UK, to Toby Gad [Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas] and David Ryan Harris [John Mayer] in the US.
Michael knuckled down in the US with famed producer Matt Wallace (Faith No More Maroon 5, Bic Runga) at Sound City Studios, where Fleetwood Mac, Nirvana, Johnny Cash and Tom Petty cut their classic records.
Michael’s hard work paid off when his song Superheroes was chosen as the sounded for the hit television series Heroes.
After releasing two acclaimed singles, Michael explains, “I set about touring, travelling and assessing what kind of artist I wanted to be. I spent a lot of time recording, writing, learning and listening to a range of musicians from Muddy Waters, Son House, Eva Cassidy, Sam Cooke and Robert Johnson. In the last two years I set about developing every set of skills I could. I played guitar for hours and hours a day, and I performed hundreds of gigs – it’s just been the best time of growth for me.”
Apart from winning coveted support slots for Newton Faulkner, Vanessa Amorosi, and soul legend Seal, Michael’s personal highlight over the last couple of years have saw him performing at the emotional Bushfire Memorial Service with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and a 500 member choir.
Although much has been said about this multi instrumentalist and his 'big' voice, it seems to be the songs, his fine band and his honest and entertaining live shows that are ringing the 'loudest' bells this time around.
Michael has also embraced social media and the digital world with gusto, engaging with his army of followers on twitter regularly, and often uploading exclusive bonus content to his youtube and myspace accounts.
Michael is invigorated by living, breathing and immersing himself in music, and his new EP, released on July 9, features the songs Are You Alive, as heard on Channel Seven’s promo for the final series of Lost, and Love The Fall, which features back up vocals from Michael’s good mates Lisa and Jess Origliasso.
Michael explains, “I met Lisa and Jess when I performed at the ARIA #1’s in 2008. We caught up after the show and that day I made two of the most intensely loyal - albeit miniscule - friends for life. We ran into each other at various awards shows, and soon enough we were hanging out in LA when I was over there to write or record. They are the most genuine and musically gifted girls. We share such a musical affinity and definitely see the world the same way, so it is completely my honour to share my tune with them. They really bought it to life.”
Love The Fall, whose spectacular video was shot in the Northern Californian forest was unleashed on June 14th.
Love the Fall was the most added song to Australian radio in the first week of July, above all releases, including international.
With shows scheduled in both Melbourne and Sydney in September, an unprecedented demand for interviews, TV performances and in-store performances, and a film clip that last week emerged in the top 100 YouTube favourites in 15 countries – 46th most viewed music video on YouTube worldwide – it’s an exciting time for this Melbourne singer/songwriter and his incredible young band, all of whom feature on the track.
The Love the Fall 5-track EP will be released online July 9 and in stores July 16.
Are You Alive
Michael Paynter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have to choose to fly or fall
Here's yours
I see you staring at the sky
As the daylight slowly dies
But there's more, you'll find
What are you waiting for?
It burns, it breaks
It won't give when it takes
Its not fair, it's not always right
You can waste away in a safer place
You'll get by, you'll survive
But are you alive?
Are you really alive?
You try to find your better self
But you're becoming someone else
It's okay
Though you're scared to be alone
Think you're braver than you know
So dont fade away
What are you waiting for?
What are you waiting for?
It burns, it breaks
It won't give when it takes
Its not fair, its not always right
You can waste away in a safer place
You'll get by, you'll survive
But are you alive?
Are you really alive?
You know you'll never be sure
What are you waiting for?
It burns, it breaks
It won't give when it takes
Its not fair, its not always right
You can waste away in a safer place
You'll get by, you'll survive
But are you alive?
Are you really alive?
Are you alive?
Are you really alive?
The lyrics to Michael Paynter's song "Are You Alive" are an introspective examination of one's life and the choices that they make. The song poses a series of questions, asking the listener whether they are truly experiencing everything that life has to offer. The line "There's a moment where we all have to choose to fly or fall, here's yours" suggests that there are defining moments in life where we can either seize the opportunity to live fully, or let it pass us by.
The chorus repeats the theme of living a full life, even if it means taking risks and facing hardship. The line "It burns, it breaks, it won't give when it takes" suggests that living fully can be painful and difficult, and that there are no guarantees of success or happiness. However, the alternative of staying in a "safer place" and merely surviving is not enough to truly live.
The verse "You try to find your better self but you're becoming someone else" suggests that personal growth and change can be uncomfortable, but it is necessary to become the best version of oneself. The song encourages the listener to not be afraid of loneliness, and to have the courage to take risks and live fully.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a moment where we all
There comes a time in everyone's life
Have to choose to fly or fall
Where we must decide whether to take a risk or not
Here's yours
And this is that moment for you
I see you staring at the sky
I notice you looking up to the heavens
As the daylight slowly dies
As the day comes to an end
But there's more, you'll find
But there's more to life than what you see
What are you waiting for?
Why are you hesitating?
It burns, it breaks
Life can be painful
It won't give when it takes
And unforgiving when it takes something from us
Its not fair, it's not always right
It can seem unjust and erroneous
You can waste away in a safer place
You can live a stagnant life in a place of familiarity
You’ll get by, you’ll survive
You may be okay, but it's not the same as truly living
But are you alive?
Are you really living or just existing?
You try to find your better self
You strive to become the best version of yourself
But you're becoming someone else
But in the process, you lose a part of yourself
It's okay
But that's alright
Though you're scared to be alone
Even though you might fear being alone
Think you're braver than you know
You have courage within that you haven't recognized
So dont fade away
So don't let yourself disappear
You know you'll never be sure
You know you'll never have all the answers
What are you waiting for?
So why not take action now?
Are you alive?
Are you truly living?
Are you really alive?
Are you genuinely experiencing all that life has to offer?
Are you alive?
Are you truly living?
Are you really alive?
Are you genuinely experiencing all that life has to offer?
Contributed by Nicholas M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
InsertMelodyHere
Simply one of the finest vocalists around. Missed you Michael. Please keep posting.
Danny Medina
I'm glad he's back. He's just one of the greatest vocalist in the world and he's my favorite personally. It's mind blowing how he's not known all around the world hopefully people can share this cause it was just a powerful and flawless performance with amazing vocal skills. Keep it up Michael we want more!! ❤️🔥👍🏼👍🏼👌🏼
David Barton
How are you not a Superstar??? Incredible performance! One of the best male voices I have ever heard.
Mighty Car Mods
Man it only gets better. Come for a drive with us sometime!
BADY BALL
Soul detoxification 🙏 what an absolute pleasure to hear ✌
Nicole Skye
Bloody hell one of my fav voices. Can’t get over it just perfect to me
Aaron Hammill
Come on Michael!!! Yeah! We're all hanging for more of this. Bless ya mate!
SNDreamer
This song & your voice still give me goosebumps ♥
juanjogarciarosa
One of my favorite songs of all time. You are amazing, Michael! ♥
Suzy Macleod
Always phenomenal 💕 So pleased to see this song performed again so more ears can hear it! I know this song SO well, but a different version has come at a poignant time to make me really listen to the lyrics again. Miss you, miss your gigs! ❤️🎶