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.
The Playful Heart
Robin Trower Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a lifeless eye
No reason now to explain
The long goodbye
Stepped into the spotlight
Believed in every part
The world could not fulfill
It's an empty room
A forbidden place
The attitude to assume
Without her face
Not lying down or falling
The breathing will not start
The world could not fulfill
The playful heart
Taught myself to hold on
To words of human warmth
Emotions you have sold on
Without thought
Praying to be bolder
You took me further down
Every touch bewildered
More unknown
It's the hidden door
In the garden wall
The hidden door we all know
Is not there at all
The lock that has no key
Keeps the two apart
The world could not fulfill
The playful heart
The playful heart
The playful heart
The playful heart
The playful heart
The playful heart
The playful heart
The playful heart
The playful heart
The lyrics of Robin Trower's song The Playful Heart can be interpreted in various ways. At a glance, it seems to describe the feeling of loss, emptiness, and frustration. The first stanza speaks of a "darkened train" and "lifeless eye," which could be symbols of a journey that goes nowhere and a lack of life or vitality. The phrase "long goodbye" suggests a sadness that cannot be easily overcome. The second stanza describes an experience of being in the spotlight and believing in every part, but the world failed to satisfy the playful heart. The playful heart could be construed as a symbol of joy, youthfulness, and spontaneity. The third stanza speaks of an "empty room" and a "forbidden place," indicating a sense of isolation or being cut-off from something desired or cherished. The phrase "attitude to assume without her face" could be interpreted as a longing for someone or something, but not being able to express it.
The fourth stanza speaks of a refusal to be defeated, indicated by the lines, "Not lying down or falling, the breathing will not start." There could be a suggestion that despite the feeling of loss, the singer is determined to keep going. The fifth stanza speaks of "words of human warmth" that the singer has taught himself to hold onto. This could be a symbol of hope and positivity amidst the gloom. The sixth stanza speaks of the singer's entrapment by someone or something else, but being unable to resist being pulled down further. The final stanza describes a "hidden door" that exists only in the imagination, and a "lock that has no key" that keeps the singer from the desired destination.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a darkened train
A metaphor for feeling lost and directionless in life
It's a lifeless eye
A metaphor for feeling emotionally numb
No reason now to explain
There's no point in trying to justify or explain one's struggles
The long goodbye
A farewell to one's former self or a way of life that's no longer sustainable
Stepped into the spotlight
Taking a chance and putting oneself out there in the hopes of being seen or recognized
Believed in every part
Having faith in oneself and trusting in one's abilities
The world could not fulfill
Despite one's best efforts, the universe doesn't always provide what's needed
The playful heart
The part of oneself that craves joy, whimsy, and a sense of playfulness
It's an empty room
Feeling alone and cut off from others
A forbidden place
An emotional barrier or unattainable goal
The attitude to assume
Putting on a facade or an air of confidence to mask one's true emotions
Without her face
Missing a person or an aspect of oneself that's been lost
Not lying down or falling
Resisting the urge to give up or give in to despair
The breathing will not start
Feeling suffocated or overwhelmed
Taught myself to hold on
Learning to persevere in the face of adversity
To words of human warmth
Seeking comfort and solace from other people
Emotions you have sold on
Feeling betrayed or disillusioned when others don't reciprocate one's feelings
Without thought
Not considering the consequences of one's actions
Praying to be bolder
Hoping for the courage to take risks and make changes in one's life
You took me further down
Feeling like others have led one astray or caused more harm than good
Every touch bewildered
Feeling disoriented or confused by physical or emotional contact
More unknown
Growing increasingly uncertain or fearful about the future
It's the hidden door
A metaphor for an enigmatic or mysterious aspect of life that's difficult to access
In the garden wall
A reference to the idea of starting anew or overcoming obstacles to reach a better place
The hidden door we all know
Despite being aware of what might be attainable, the path to get there is elusive
Is not there at all
Discovering that the solution or the goal one sought after is no longer possible
The lock that has no key
Being unable to unlock one's potential or solve a problem
Keeps the two apart
Feeling as though something is preventing one from reaching a desired outcome or person
Contributed by Caroline R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@laszlokaralyos5853
💣😍💥👍❗....A never published
"Experience"......he is a mindblowing Jimiesck music
Interpreter , his OWN music is
TOP NOTCH 💥❗
@ramondrobinson6054
Trower Power has to be one of his best and i have them all
@billreinhold1955
Love Robin Trower, but never heard this! A lot of nice tracks! Love drummer Pete Thompson!
@rickytomato2055
✌❤N' Rock&Roll,,,ReallyDigsMySoul😎
@rickytomato2055
✊RightOn ! ! ! 😌You'veGotThatRight ! ! !
@georgehughes5684
Thrower is a super star guitarist. Had the great pleasure of seeing him probably 15 to 20 times. He gets better each show.
@saigonproducer
He’s the best to ever grace a strat
@myronaguinaldo2861
The Playful Heart! Say no more,another masterpiece !
ROBIN TROWER ROCKS!
@joediskin6612
Take care of yourself Robin I believe your popularity is on the rise!
@alanjamesh.zamorano1677
Robin Trower is a very underrated chord master. Like they say in Sultans of Swing: "He knew all the chords"