Perhaps Trower's most famous album is Bridge of Sighs (1974). This album, along with his first (Twice Removed from Yesterday) and third (For Earth Below) solo albums, was produced by his former Procol Harum band mate, organist Matthew Fisher.
Those who favor electric guitarists who can play live what they record in the studio will be very impressed with the "Robin Trower Live" album - especially the cut "Daydream". While often compared to Jimi Hendrix, Robin Trower never received the publicity nor same volume of fans.
Birthday Boy
Robin Trower Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down at the bottom of the stairs sits the birthday boy
Reading letters in between the lines
Ready for a little trip to the seaside
Hoping he can make it there on time
Sitting in the station watching choo choo trains
With wheels to take him clicking down the line
It's nicer when the sun comes out to shine
He's had a busy day, tomorrow's on it's way
Time to leave the sea, and hurry home for
Tea is waiting on the table for the birthday boy
Grandfather's clock is ticking in the hall
Sitting by the fire, now the birthday boy
Is feeling very sleepy, very small
He's had a busy day, tomorrow's on it's way
Time to leave the sea, time to leave the sea
He's had a busy day, tomorrow's on it's way
Time to leave the sea, time to leave the sea
Time to leave the sea, time to leave the sea
Time to leave the sea, time to leave the sea
Time to leave the sea, time to leave the sea
The song "Birthday Boy" by Robin Trower and James Dewar is a reflective ballad about the experience of a child on his birthday. The lyrics describe the boy sitting at the bottom of the stairs, having received letters which he reads "in between the lines". He is ready to go on a trip to the seaside, hoping he can make it there on time. He watches the choo choo trains at the station, knowing they will take him to his destination. The sky is getting darker, and he is unsure if it will rain, but he hopes the sun will come out to shine. The boy is aware that he has had a busy day, but he knows that tomorrow is on its way, and it is time to leave the sea.
As the boy returns home, he is greeted by the familiar sight of his grandfather's clock ticking in the hall. He sits by the fire, feeling sleepy and small, having had a busy day. The song repeats the refrain, reminding the audience that the boy's birthday has been a memorable experience, but it is time to leave the sea and go home. The final lines, "time to leave the sea," are repeated several times, emphasizing the conclusion of the boy's special day.
Overall, "Birthday Boy" reflects on the fleeting nature of childhood and the bittersweet experience of growing up. The song captures a range of emotions, from the excitement of a trip to the seaside to the sense of comfort and security in returning home. Through its evocative lyrics and gentle melody, the song encourages listeners to savor the moments that make life meaningful.
Line by Line Meaning
Down at the bottom of the stairs sits the birthday boy
The singer of the song, the birthday boy, is sitting at the bottom of the stairs.
Reading letters in between the lines
The birthday boy is reading letters and trying to infer their true meaning.
Ready for a little trip to the seaside
The birthday boy is excited to go on a trip to the seaside.
Hoping he can make it there on time
The birthday boy is hoping that he will arrive at his destination on schedule.
Sitting in the station watching choo choo trains
The birthday boy is currently waiting in the train station, watching trains go by.
With wheels to take him clicking down the line
The trains have wheels that make a clicking noise as they travel down the tracks.
The sky is getting darker, but if it rains
The sky is becoming overcast and gloomy, but the birthday boy would prefer if it did not rain.
It's nicer when the sun comes out to shine
The birthday boy prefers sunny weather to cloudy or rainy weather.
Tea is waiting on the table for the birthday boy
Upon returning home, the birthday boy will have tea waiting for him on the table.
Grandfather's clock is ticking in the hall
In the background, the sound of a grandfather clock can be heard ticking in the hallway.
Sitting by the fire, now the birthday boy
Now that he is home, the birthday boy is sitting by a fire.
Is feeling very sleepy, very small
The day has been long and tiring, and the birthday boy is feeling very tired and small.
Time to leave the sea, and hurry home for
The birthday boy must stop enjoying his time at the seaside and hurry home.
He's had a busy day, tomorrow's on it's way
The birthday boy has had a lot to do today, and tomorrow is quickly approaching.
Time to leave the sea, time to leave the sea
The birthday boy must repeatedly remind himself that it is time to leave the seaside.
Time to leave the sea, time to leave the sea
This line is repeated to emphasize that the birthday boy must leave the seaside now.
Time to leave the sea, time to leave the sea
For the third time, the singer repeats that it is time for the birthday boy to leave the sea and go home.
Contributed by Camilla E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.