Growing up in a musical household and exposed to his parents’ eclectic record collection that included the likes of Eric Clapton, Ry Cooder and Dire Straits, he was particularly drawn to the guitar – being taken by his parents to an Eric Clapton concert left the young Sayce awestruck and in no doubt about which was the instrument for him.
By the time he was 15 he was playing guitar in his first band; he was up and running. He soon became a regular fixture on the Toronto club scene, where his fluid soloing and mesmerising overall musicality turned heads an earned him many fans. With an insatiable appetite for jam sessions at the likes of Grossman's Tavern in Toronto, Sayce began rapidly distilling his own singular guitar style and tonal palette from a melting pot of influences that included such greats as Clapton, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Jimi Hendrix, Robert Cray, and in particular Stevie Ray Vaughan, to whom he is, understandably, probably most often compared.
While still a teenager, Sayce was held in such high regard that, after jamming on stage with one of his heroes, guitar player and fellow Canadian Jeff Healey, he was invited to join Healey’s band. Sayce was now living the dream. He can still remember the first time he heard Healey – and the effect it had: “It was in a supermarket car park. I was 11 and my parents had gone into the store. This song, See The Light, came on and I was just overwhelmed. I literally punched the radio.”
After three-and-a-half years with Healey’s band, playing with them at the Montreux Jazz Festival and at gigs around the world, Sayce, the apprentice having learned well from the master, felt it was time to move on.
Looking to further expand his musical horizons, in 2001 he moved to Los Angeles. He joined Uncle Kracker, and was with the band when they had their massive US No.1 hit song Drift Away. He starred in and wrote the music for the short film Cockroach Blue, directed by the award-winning Robert Crossman, which received high acclaim when it was shown at the Woodstock Film Festival. Then, in 2003, Grammy and Oscar winner Melissa Etheridge came calling (“very talented – like Stevie Ray Vaughan,” she enthused), and he enjoyed an “awesome” time playing and recording with her band until 2008.
During his stint with Melissa, Sayce released his debut solo album, Peace Machine, using what he describes as Etheridge’s “shit-hot” band and producer Michael Nielsen. Recorded live in the studio in just a couple of days, it’s full of raw, high-energy, low-maintenance retro-blues delivered with startling punch and real style, and showcases Sayce as a soulful, powerfully expressive vocalist as well as a supremely talented guitarist and all-round musician. The album also includes a crunching version of the Neil Young classic Cinnamon Girl, the song often a resonant inclusion in Sayce’s thrilling live shows.
And live is where Sayce, his jam-club years in his pocket, shines brightest, he and his band performing with a potent mixture of power and finesse, the guitarist regularly pulling the trigger and unleashing visceral, mesmerising solos. And while they’re checking out the hot licks, it’s clear that many of the girls in the audience are equally taken by the good-looking guy with the swept-back blond hair and charisma to spare. If you’ve got it…
May 2010 saw the release of, INNEREVOLUTION, recorded with his live band - keyboardist Fred Mandel (Queen, Supertramp, Elton John, Alice Cooper), bassist Joel Gottschalk and drummer Ryan MacMillan (Matchbox 20). This collection of songs, some co-written with Richard Marx, busbee, Mike Bradford, Dave Cobb and Marti Frederiksen among others, further establishes Philip Sayce not only as one of the finest blues guitarists around, but also as a musician, singer and songwriter with tremendous talent and potential.
“Richard came out to a show and we immediately hit it off,” Sayce explains of how he came to write with Richard Marx. “He's a massive talent and to have the opportunity to collaborate and learn from him is something I am grateful for. Anyone I collaborate or co-write with, the goal is to be open and learn, and I've been blessed to work with some of the best of the best.”
More varied than Peace Machine, and overall more sophisticated and more polished in terms of songwriting, sonics and performance, Innerevoltuion is a stylish, engaging and thrilling album that should bring Philip Sayce to the attention of a bigger and wider audience.
With Peace Machine, Innerevolution, Ruby Electric, Silver Wheel Of Stars, and Steamroller, Philip Sayce continues to write his own chapter in the long and continuing history of popular music. And it’s clear that this gifted young musician has many more pages yet to write.
Oh My
Philip Sayce Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For what you′re gonna feed them
When I, see you
I see a look that likes the kingdom
So many
Fakers, stealing
Takers, cleaning
Swinging all to your style
Oh, oh my
Oh my God you've got it gorgeous
And I, can′t stop thinking
Thinking to think in you
To be here with you
The wallas(?), awning(?)
But you keep it so cool
You're always, a fantic
I'm spellbound to be your fool
Can′t find it
Sirens, calling
Oceans, storming
Nothing like you would prove hard
Yeah, you know exactly who you are
Oh, oh my
Oh my God, you′ve got it gorgeous
And I, can't stop thinking
Thinking to think in you
To be here with you
Oh, oh my
Oh my God, you′ve got it gorgeous
And I, can't stop thinking
Thinking to think in you
Oh, oh my
Oh my God, you′ve got it gorgeous
And I, can't stop thinking
Thinking to think in you
To be, can′t you?
The song "Oh My" by Philip Sayce is a love letter to the stunning and confident woman in his life. The lyrics depict the singer marveling at the beauty and power of his lover, who he refers to as "God" and "Kingdom." Sayce acknowledges that there are many people who try to imitate her, but she remains true to herself, effortlessly cool, and always in control. The singer finds himself captivated by her presence, unable to stop thinking about her and dreaming of being by her side.
Through his strong guitar playing and raw vocals, Sayce conveys the intensity of his emotions and the electric chemistry between him and his partner. The use of repetition in the lyrics reinforces the idea that the singer is completely smitten with his lover and cannot get enough of her. The chorus, where the phrase "Oh my God, you've got it gorgeous" is repeated, serves to emphasize the beauty and allure of this woman and the all-consuming nature of their relationship.
Overall, "Oh My" is a passionate and vibrant representation of the powerful and transformative effects of romantic love.
Line by Line Meaning
The people, they need you
Your audience is reliant on you
For what you’re gonna feed them
They want to be nourished by your music
When I, see you
When I look at you
I see a look that likes the kingdom
I see a person who desires power and control
So many
There are many people
Fakers, stealing
There are imposters who copy others
Takers, cleaning
Other people who take while you give
Swinging all to your style
They mimic your music style
You should know exactly who you are
You should have a clear sense of self
Oh, oh my
Expressing awe or surprise
Oh my God you've got it gorgeous
You possess incredible beauty or talent
And I, can't stop thinking
Your presence is always on my mind
Thinking to think in you
Contemplating being with you intimately
The wallas(?), awning(?)
This line is unclear
But you keep it so cool
You remain composed and collected
You're always, a fantic
You are always enthusiastic
I'm spellbound to be your fool
I am entranced and willing to be your follower
Can't find it
I cannot locate something important
Sirens, calling
There are warning signs or temptations
Oceans, storming
There are turbulent or chaotic events happening
Nothing like you would prove hard
Nothing is more challenging than being like you
Yeah, you know exactly who you are
You possess self-awareness and confidence
To be here with you
Desire to be close to you
To be, can't you?
Expressing a longing desire to be together
Writer(s): Brad Hooks, Philip Sayce
Contributed by Kennedy F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Steph
on Give Me Time
Well I had a similar experience but I was in grad school. My parents thought they were doing me a favor by setting me up with a guy my own dads age. Turns out he has tons of issues. Falls for everyone hes with extremely fast, and super creepy!! Wont leave me alone!! Nightmare!