At the age of 19, Nick moved to Havana, Cuba to study music and art. On returning to the UK, Nick enrolled at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies to study Ethnomusicology. In 2011, he left Portico Quartet to pursue his career as a solo singer-songwriter .
He released two EPs, The Trellis (Communion Records 2012) and Fever to the Form (Communion Records 2013), before his debut full-length First Mind landed on 12 May 2014. The album received a 2014 Mercury Music Prize nomination and was promoted with the singles Cucurucu and Meet me there.
First Mind
Nick Mulvey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You and I on the tree and the stone.
My love for you is natural,
self evident like the tree and the stone,
Self assured, freedom of form.
Why would we ever second guess,
when we both say the first mind is best,
So let it run, let it run.
And how many times must we be stunned,
Every star is a rising sun.
I'll be leading on,
you be leading on.
Stuck with the forces,
and spin with the moon.
Pull in the tides,
and you back to me soon.
Back to me soon.
Darling I pull back to me soon.
In the song "First Mind" by Nick Mulvey, the lyrics express the naturalness and simplicity of love. The opening lyrics set the scene of a moment at the end of the day when the singer reflects on someone they love deeply. This person is represented by a tree and a stone, objects that are natural, stable, and enduring. The use of these objects creates a mood of timelessness and eternal connection, implying that the singer's love is unwavering and steadfast.
The chorus of the song expresses confidence and trust in the relationship. The singer asks why they would ever doubt their love when they both know that their "first mind" (or their initial instincts and feelings) is the best guide. This suggests that the relationship is grounded in simplicity and honesty, with both parties being true to themselves and each other.
The final verse continues with a natural imagery, comparing the lovers to the forces of nature. The singer suggests that no matter how far apart they may be, they will always find a way to reconnect, just as the moon pulls the tides back to shore. Overall, the lyrics of "First Mind" express a profound sense of connection and groundedness in a natural and powerful way.
Line by Line Meaning
Late in the evening I think upon,
As night falls, I often reflect on
You and I on the tree and the stone.
The memory of you and me sitting by the tree and the stone resurfaces during my reflection.
My love for you is natural,
My affection towards you flows instinctively,
self evident like the tree and the stone,
Just as the presence of the tree and the stone is obvious, my love for you is undeniable.
Self assured, freedom of form.
My love for you is confident and unrestrained.
Why would we ever second guess,
Why should we ever doubt
when we both say the first mind is best,
If we agree that our initial instincts are the best guide,
Steadily we become,
Gradually, we grow
So let it run, let it run.
So we should just let our love unfold naturally and freely.
And how many times must we be stunned,
How often must we be amazed
Every star is a rising sun.
Every star in the sky has the potential to shine brilliantly like the sun.
I'll be leading on,
I'll be taking the lead,
you be leading on.
And you should be leading as well.
Stuck with the forces,
Living amidst the natural forces,
and spin with the moon.
Like the moon orbits the earth, our relationship also goes in circles.
Pull in the tides,
As the moon's gravity pulls the tides,
and you back to me soon.
Our love will bring us back together soon.
Back to me soon.
Back to my arms, soon.
Darling I pull back to me soon.
My affection for you pulls you back to me quickly, my dear.
Writer(s): Nick Mulvey
Contributed by Annabelle N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.