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.
Powerful thing
Philip Sayce Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I - i don't want no one day lover
Searchin' through the city, lord it's such a pity
I don't know just where to begin
Love is a powerful thing
I - i just wanna know ya
Sayin' that it's real, baby what's the deal
Baby it's a shame and a sin
Love is a powerful thing
Love is a powerful thing
Love's gonna change everything
Love, love is a powerful thing
I - i don't want your money
I - i just want your lovin' cause you and i both know
All the good things that would bring
Love is a powerful thing
Love is a powerful thing
Love's gonna change everything
Love, love is a powerful thing
The lyrics of Philip Sayce's song Powerful Thing convey the idea of a person searching for love but not finding it in the right places. The singer feels lonely and wishes to connect with someone but is tired of shallow relationships that only last for a day. The search for love seems futile as the singer cannot find the right person to love. However, despite the frustration and disappointment, the singer believes that love is a powerful thing that can change everything. The lyrics express the idea that love is worth searching for and can bring many good things into one's life.
The repetition of the phrase 'Love is a powerful thing' emphasizes the message of the song and highlights the importance of love. It suggests that love can overcome obstacles and change lives for the better. The use of the first-person pronoun 'I' conveys a sense of personal experience and emotion, making the lyrics relatable to many people who have been in a similar situation.
Overall, the lyrics of Powerful Thing by Philip Sayce convey the message that love is worth pursuing, even though it can be difficult to find. Love has the power to change everything and bring happiness, making it a powerful thing that is worth believing in.
Line by Line Meaning
I - i ain't got nobody
The singer is single and does not have a partner or significant other.
I - i don't want no one day lover
The singer is not interested in a brief or casual romantic relationship.
Searchin' through the city, lord it's such a pity
The singer is having a difficult time finding a suitable romantic partner and feels disappointed about it.
I don't know just where to begin
The artist is unsure of how to start a successful romantic relationship.
Love is a powerful thing
The artist believes that love has a strong impact on people's lives and can bring great change.
I - i just wanna know ya
The singer is interested in getting to know the person they are singing to.
I - i don't wanna show ya
The singer is not interested in putting on a false persona or pretending to be something they are not.
Sayin' that it's real, baby what's the deal
The artist is questioning whether their feelings for the person they are singing to are genuine.
Baby it's a shame and a sin
The artist laments the challenging and sometimes morally ambiguous nature of romantic relationships.
I - i don't want your money
The artist is not interested in financial gain from a romantic relationship.
I - i just want your lovin' cause you and i both know
The singer desires the genuine, emotional connection that can come from a loving relationship.
All the good things that would bring
The artist looks forward to the positive impact that a loving relationship could have on their life.
Love's gonna change everything
The singer believes that love has the power to transform and improve every aspect of their life.
Love, love is a powerful thing
The singer restates their belief in the transformative and influential nature of love.
Contributed by Jonathan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jonathon Fuqua
The worst thing you could ever do is pass up on seeing Philip Sayce live if you have a chance. Live! Live! this dude will capture you real fast live. Electrifying!
Henrik Johannessen
Love this guitar sound :)
Martijn D
I should've gone and see him when I had the chance! Damn, hope he's coming back to The Netherlands soon enough. He's just awesome!
peter reimer
That's sooooooo ffffffffat !!!!!!!!!!!!! awesome produced riff power. Still love it like the first time
nashboro
Jessie Johnson, Eric Gales, Lenny Kravitz...who is this man?!? You jammin' man!
Nasty McNastypants
that's a pretty awesome, full-blooded wah sound.
JoshMetal316
He should make band with glenn hughes!!!!!
Will BENDA
dude. this list......amazing......
Will BENDA
I blame led zeppelin if that makes you feel better
and jimi
Will BENDA
lol that was such a horrible band.