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.
Shine on Me
Michael Paynter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Another window will open here
Come with the speed of a sun
For the window will disappear
If it's all in my mind
Then this time spent breaking
Will be debated
Then I came to life
As the moment passed me by
When you're staring at the light so long
You can feel how bright it shines
Shine on me
Shine on me
Shine on me
Shine on me
Shine on me
Shine on me
Shine on me
Shine on me
Shine on me
Move with the sleight of the hand
To deliver the final word
Speak so I can understand
In a language I've never heard
You're more than what I chose
In your room I hand it on
Through the edges
That pales all I know
Then I came to life
As the moment passed me by
When you're staring at the light so long
You can feel how bright it shines
Shine on me
Shine on me
Shine on me
Shine on me
Shine on me
Shine on me
Shine on, yeah!
(We're not alone)
And I came to life
As the moment passed me by
When you're staring at the light so long
You can feel how bright it shines
We're moving out of time
Calls to reason to fall in line
The time has arrived
To surrender all of my life
Shine on me
Shine on me
Shine on me
Shine on me
Shine on me
Shine on me
Shine on, shine on, shine on...
Shine on me
Shine on me
Shine on me
Shine on me
Shine on me
Shine on me
Shine on me
Shine on, shine...
Shine on me
The song "Shine On Me" by Michael Paynter is a moving track that opens with a message of hope. The lyrics speak about closing one door and being presented with new opportunities to shine in life. The opening lines, "Oh, so you're closing a door, Another window will open here" are a reminder that no matter what happens in life, it is important to keep moving forward and be open to new possibilities.
The chorus, "Shine on me, Shine on me," is a plea for a higher power to guide and bless the singer's journey. The song is a reminder to keep pushing through life's challenges while embracing the positivity that comes with the bright moments. The use of repetition in the lyrics emphasizes the significance of the message and encourages the listener to embrace positivity even when life gets tough.
The song's bridge speaks about surrendering all of one's life to the moment and calls for the listener to move beyond the limits of time and the expectations of society. The message of the song is clear; no matter how tough life gets, it is essential to stay positive, embrace new opportunities and shine on.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, so you're closing a door
You may be closing one opportunity, but there will be another chance.
Another window will open here
A new opportunity will arise, it's just a matter of time.
Come with the speed of a sun
Grab the chance as soon as it arrives, don't wait or hesitate!
For the window will disappear
Don't wait too long, the opportunity may not last forever.
If it's all in my mind
If what I'm thinking is just a speculation.
Then this time spent breaking
This time dedicated to change something.
Will be debated
Whether it was worth it or not will be discussed.
I know
I'm aware and confident in my decision.
Then I came to life
After contemplating and thinking, I finally made a decision.
As the moment passed me by
I realized that time waits for no one.
When you're staring at the light so long
When you're too focused on one thing, you can miss other opportunities.
You can feel how bright it shines
You can realize how good that opportunity is, but don't forget to keep an open mind for other chances.
Shine on me
Let me have that opportunity, let it come my way!
Move with the sleight of the hand
Make a move that is clever and carefully planned.
To deliver the final word
To conclude and finalize a decision or argument.
Speak so I can understand
Communicate clearly so I can comprehend.
In a language I've never heard
Explaining in a new and different way.
You're more than what I chose
I didn't only choose you, but you are much more than what I thought you were.
In your room I hand it on
I trust you with something important in your care.
Through the edges
From the fringes or outside of something.
That pales all I know
It changes my understanding completely, in a way that makes everything else insignificant.
We're moving out of time
Time is passing by fast and we have to take action quickly.
Calls to reason to fall in line
Reasonable arguments that convince me to follow a certain direction.
The time has arrived
The perfect moment has finally come!
To surrender all of my life
To give up control and let life take over.
Shine on me
Let me make use of this perfect opportunity!
Shine on, yeah!
I'm excited and ready to take on the challenge.
We're not alone
We're in this together, we're not alone in this journey!
Shine on, shine...
This opportunity is too good to let go, let it shine brightly upon me!
Contributed by Maya A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.