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.
Too Much Joy
Robin Trower Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Deep underground.
Each twist is turning - turning round.
You can't keep hiding.
Head split in two.
Your face is sliding.
From view.
Stood waiting for the shadow's voice to call.
Time wasted - just too much joy that's all.
Lost in the shuffle.
One father too few.
Learned how to hustle - too soon.
You can't keep running.
Who's chasing who.
The past keeps coming back to you.
Though darkness can take this pain away.
No darkness can change what the angels say.
In Robin Trower's song "Too Much Joy," the lyrics seem to center around a person's inability to continue standing or hiding underground. The concept of twists turning round and head split in two seems to be referencing a mental and emotional turmoil that the person is experiencing. The phrase "your face is sliding from view" could be interpreted as the person feeling like they are losing touch with their identity or true self amidst the chaos.
As the song progresses, the lyrics touch on the idea of being lost in the shuffle and having only one father when two were needed. The sense of hustling and running is also present, and the past is shown as something that keeps coming back and haunting the person. Despite these struggles, there is a hint of resilience in the line "though darkness can take this pain away, no darkness can change what the angels say," suggesting that there is still hope and that the person has some kind of higher calling or divine purpose.
Overall, the lyrics of "Too Much Joy" seem to paint a picture of someone who is struggling to keep themselves together amidst life's challenges. While the words themselves are somewhat vague and abstract, they convey a strong sense of emotion and capture the feeling of being overwhelmed and lost.
Line by Line Meaning
You can't keep standing.
Being stagnant or standing still will only cause you to fall behind.
Deep underground.
Feeling trapped, lost, and alone with nowhere to go.
Each twist is turning - turning round.
Life is full of many unexpected turns and changes, and it can be difficult to keep up.
You can't keep hiding.
Hiding from your problems and fears will only make them worse.
Head split in two.
Feeling torn or conflicted about something, with no clear solution in sight.
Your face is sliding.
Feeling like you are losing control and becoming unrecognizable to yourself and others.
From view.
Becoming invisible or unnoticed, feeling insignificant or forgotten.
Stood waiting for the shadow's voice to call.
Feeling lost or directionless, waiting for guidance or purpose to reveal itself.
Time wasted - just too much joy that's all.
Feeling like you have wasted time chasing after temporary pleasures or distractions instead of pursuing meaningful goals.
Lost in the shuffle.
Feeling overwhelmed or unrecognized in a crowded or competitive space.
One father too few.
Lacking guidance or support from a parental figure or role model.
Learned how to hustle - too soon.
Becoming jaded or disillusioned by life's challenges at a young age, and feeling the need to be constantly on guard.
You can't keep running.
Avoiding your problems will only make them worse in the long run.
Who's chasing who.
Feeling like you are constantly under pressure or pursued by something or someone, but not quite sure who or what it is.
The past keeps coming back to you.
Feeling haunted or burdened by past mistakes or memories that keep resurfacing.
Though darkness can take this pain away.
Sometimes it is tempting to seek escape in the darkness, but it is not a healthy or sustainable coping mechanism.
No darkness can change what the angels say.
No matter how dark or hopeless things may seem, there is always hope and guidance to be found if you are willing to look for it.
Writer(s): Robin Leonard Trower
Contributed by Cole C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.