Effortlessly combining folk, reggae, soul and blues, the singer/songwriter/guitarist , Patrice, exploded onto the music scene with his phenomenal testimonial debut Lions E.P in 1999 aged just 18. With the deep lyrical content and social conscience resonating within his work, Patrice alludes to his late father (a Sierra Leonian political activist and poet) and Bob Marley as the greatest influences on his music. Lions, with its tales of love and social rhetoric coupled with raw acoustic production, perfectly showcased Patrices distinctive fusion of lyrics, sounds and genres. After supporting Lauryn Hill on her much acclaimed Miseducation of Tour, Patrice released his critically acclaimed first album Ancient Spirits in 2000 (European sales in excess of 150,000)
Since 2001, Patrice has toured relentlessly and wooed audiences at gigs across Europe, USA and Africa. Whether solo, acoustic or with his band Shashamani, a big combination of humour, B-boy stage antics, and incredible musicianship have thus far made Patrices live shows a highlight of his career. Five years on, his reputation has been cemented with show stopping headline performances alongside Youssouf N'Dour in Senegal, Manu Chao and Damon Albarn at The Festival In The Desert and the Tamika Reggae Awards in New York amongst many others.
His second largely self produced album How Do You Call It (released in Europe September 2002) saw Patrice evolving his sound with a rich melange of Hip Hop, Soul and Reggae which underpinned twelve well crafted songs. Recorded over a two-month period in Jamaica and with 3 tracks produced in London with Cameron McVey, Massive Attack, Youssouf N'Dour, Andu Baraganescu and Neneh Cherry, How Do You Call It further cemented his unique niche in todays diverse musical landscape. The LP also spawned the Pan European hit Sunshine.
Nile, Patrice's third and most current album (named after the river Nile, representing Life in the African continent) is truly a bold undertaking and can be described as a work of astounding maturity, sincerity and sensitivity. Whether rocking to the amped guitar, explosive drums and African percussion behind Africanize Dem or soaking up the beautiful rendition of the obscure Wailers track It Hurts To Be Alone it's clear that experimentation has lent his work an undeniable urgency and freshness. The present single Soulstorm has provided Patrice with another European hit. The majority of 2005 was spent performing to sell out audiences throughout Europe which included his first headlined show for all the UK fans at The Borderline, in London, and perhaps the pinnacle of his career so far, playing in front of the 6,000 fans who filled out the Zenith in Paris. In the summer of 2006 Patrice released a live DVD which gives the audience an exclusive look at how Nile was recorded, rehearsed and performed throughout the world.
Clouds
Patrice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wrote this letter in my head
I was too spaced out for you to reach me
I used to teach you now you teach me
I never thought that you were gonna realise
What you had inside, so now i'm well suprised
They say my head is in the clouds
Cloud nine to be precise
You see the world is turning on
And somethings are
Just the way they are they are
The world is turning on
And somethings are
just the way they, just the way they are
I take the best words that come to my mind
The nicest melody that i can find
I write the greatest song that i can write
To bring you back into my life
Back then god had sent me
to make you angry
to send you on your journey
Coz there were things you had to learn
They say my head is in the clouds
they say my head is in the clouds
Cloud nine to be precise
You see our world ain't in this world
You see our world ain't in this world
Cloud nine to be precise
The world is turning on
And somethings are
Just the way they are they are
The world is turning on
And somethings are
Just the way they just the way they are
I turn my back on this
It wouldn't change a thing
It's just the way it is
You couldn't change a thing
It's been from ever since
From before time begins
I surrender all there is
No joy like this again
You take all my songs
I wrote them for you
See i din't know
I only thought i knew
You were invisible
Now you visible
Was too blind to see
Like the sun it dawns on me
The world is turning on
And somethings are
Just the way they are they are
The world is turning on
And somethings are
Just the way they just the way they are
In Patrice's song "Clouds," the lyrics express the feelings of regret and nostalgia for a past relationship. The song begins with the singer reminiscing about a letter they wrote in their head before sleeping. They admit to being "too spaced out for you to reach me," implying that they were not fully present in the relationship or emotionally available. The singer then acknowledges their former partner's strength and growth, saying that they never thought they would realize what they had inside them, and they are now surprised.
The title of the song, "Clouds," is significant throughout the lyrics. The singer declares that "they say my head is in the clouds," adding that they are "cloud nine to be precise." This phrase can be interpreted in two ways. On the one hand, it could imply that the singer is living in a dream-like state, disconnected from the reality of the relationship. On the other hand, "cloud nine" is an idiom used to describe a state of euphoria or happiness, indicating the level of joy the relationship once brought to them.
In the second verse, the singer observes that the world is constantly changing, and some things remain as they are. They reflect that they take the most beautiful words and melodies to write a heartwarming song that could bring their partner back into their life. However, they later acknowledge that they once made mistakes in the partnership, suggesting that they played a role in their eventual separation.
Towards the end of the song, the singer surrenders to the reality that nothing can change the past. They express that they wrote all their songs for their former partner, admitting that they were unaware of their partner's presence in their life before. The song concludes with the singer recognizing the "invisible" person who has now become visible to them, likening it to the dawning of the sun.
Overall, the lyrics of Patrice's "Clouds" explore the complexities of a past relationship, including regret, nostalgia, and the realization that some things cannot be altered.
Line by Line Meaning
Last night when i went to bed
At night, before falling asleep
I wrote this letter in my head
Imagined writing a letter in thought
I was too spaced out for you to reach me
Feeling disconnected
I used to teach you now you teach me
A change in the roles of life
I never thought that you were gonna realise
Unanticipated self-discovery of hidden potential
What you had inside, so now i'm well suprised
Surprised by what someone else could accomplish
They say my head is in the clouds
Others perceive one as being disconnected from reality
Cloud nine to be precise
A state of perfect bliss or happiness
You see the world is turning on
The world keeps moving and changing
And somethings are
Certain things are fixed and stay the same
Just the way they are they are
Acceptance of things beyond control
I take the best words that come to my mind
Creating art from inspiration
The nicest melody that i can find
Creating art from beauty and harmony
I write the greatest song that i can write
Creating art from passion and skill
To bring you back into my life
Finding a way to reconnect with someone
Back then god had sent me
Believing in a divine plan
to make you angry
A test or challenge
to send you on your journey
Encouraging self-discovery
Coz there were things you had to learn
Education through life experiences
You see our world ain't in this world
Believing in a different reality or perspective
Cloud nine to be precise
A state of perfect bliss or happiness
I turn my back on this
Giving up or letting go
It wouldn't change a thing
Realizing circumstances can't be changed
It's just the way it is
Acceptance of the status quo
You couldn't change a thing
Recognizing limitations
It's been from ever since
A long-standing situation or feeling
From before time begins
A timeless, eternal quality
I surrender all there is
Giving up control or attachments
No joy like this again
A unique or special experience
You take all my songs
Dedicating something to someone
I wrote them for you
Creating something with someone in mind
See i din't know
Lack of knowledge or awareness
I only thought i knew
Misunderstanding or misconception
You were invisible
Not seeing or understanding something or someone completely
Now you visible
Finally seeing or understanding something or someone completely
Was too blind to see
Lack of insight or understanding
Like the sun it dawns on me
A sudden realization or awakening
Contributed by Micah T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jorge Carmona
I heard this song more than 10 years ago, finally found it and it hits me both different and the same, makes me realize I’m not the same person who I was back then, but essentially I’ll always be the same, and for that I love this song
Ebuka Igwe
I was searching for this song for more than 6 years. I finally found it and I feel amazing, OOOF.
Marc Nixon
this song will always remind me of a time when life was a little easier. my friend Marius played this on his guitar around a campfire next to a lake on a warm summer Friday night.
Oddblood01
I absolutely love this incredible piece of art.😄
kreazza
Can't believe how underrated is... amazing music!
Takemuro
How i miss 2010... I'll be playing this till i die.
One love from Portugal.
Grace Ostrowski
@Tai Ji...my family loves Portugal...my oldest brother is half Portuguese...hes 2 yrs younger however the eldest of the 3 broski's I have✌✌✌🎶=❤
Sylan 101
My friend Rémi died a few years back. He used to be such a beautiful human being, breathing positivity. This is the song he listened to over and over when I met him. Now I'm listening to it in your memory bro <3
Natacha Rocha
Thanks universe that I found Patrice, my boyfriend showed me and its high quality music! ❤
Sinematic
gosh... amazing song, i used to listen metal or alternative rock but.... well i don't know this song goes through my skin like my favourites songs