Panes, who plays mandolin and guitar, is accompanied by Georgie Harris (Viola), Joanne Sy (Cello), Sean Hatton (Drums) and Deborah Panes (Vocals).
Panes is a British songwriter with a guitar to his chest and a heart swelling with hopes and dreams. A common on-paper pitch, perhaps, and one sold a thousand times before. But Dorset-born Panes has something special to offer those willing to wait a while for their favourite songs to settle into place.
Panes’ debut album, ‘Little Giant’, isn’t a collection operating at the vanguard of a cutting-edge, ultimately transient scene worthy of clicks for the next few months. It’s not an album that sets out to trick its audience in any way – what you hear is succinct, honest songwriting, from a place of deep personal expression, resonating with universal truths and values. It’s an embracing set, a welcoming one, which represents everything that its maker has worked towards since first picking up a guitar and exploring his innermost thoughts and feelings through song. No follower of fashion, Panes walks to his own beat.
It’s a strange admission for any artist, but nevertheless: “I’ve never really listened to much music,” says Panes. “Influences from other artists, they’re not really that important. I find that my music comes to me from situations I find myself in – those situations can come to me as songs. In terms of first picking up an instrument, my granny was a classical pianist – we’d go to her house, hear her play, and run around in circles. And my mum used to be in a travelling theatre company, so I was encouraged towards culture, towards the arts. But I always thought: if I want to listen to music, I’ll just write it.”
Don’t mistake confidence for arrogance – such statements come from a sincere place, as Panes’ upbringing in Wimborne, once home to novelist Thomas Hardy, proved more inspirational to his writing than any sessions in the company of a parent’s record collection. The natural beauty of Dorset’s open spaces – and those of the Lake District, a place he loves to visit – have become woven into the fabric of his craft. The peace, the silent solitude: it’s here that Panes feels more alive with ideas than he does in the hubbub of his adopted home of London. There’s a pastoral warmth to ‘Little Giant’ that couldn’t have manifested had its roots been laid within urban limits.
The comfort of home, of a tight and supportive family, punctuates proceedings throughout Panes’ debut LP – which is perhaps inevitable, as the collection was recorded there. Beside producer Rupert Coulson – a man with numerous soundtrack credits, as well as experience of working on records by Portishead, Robbie Williams and Oasis – Panes and his band captured the classic 12-string guitar sounds, rippling percussion and sweeping strings that decorate ‘Little Giant’ in, says the singer, “the music room, down at our house – just a small, wooden-floored room. I thought, why not keep the recording close to where I write the songs?”
He continues: “I’m a really big fan of the idea that you don’t need all the stuff you find in a big studio – it’s about how you use the things you do have. Rupert had a lot of imagination, and got a good grasp of the room and harnessed it. I love working in places that have an atmosphere, and I think it’s good to have that extra, background noise on a record. I’m sure there’s an ambulance on the album, actually.”
He was, briefly, the face of a Burberry campaign, something he describes as “random”. “I was on tour,” he says, “and I got a phone call asking me to do it. I just grabbed the opportunity that was in front of me. I went in a musician, and came out a musician. It’s a short episode in my life, but one that’s had some quite big repercussions.” Indeed, a Google search pulls up many attractively composed black-and-white photographs of Panes sporting fine threads – but it’s music that surges strongest in his veins, above all other passions.
And now that you’ve separated your senses from social media for a while, closed your chattering inbox, just what does ‘Little Giant’ offer above more garden variety singer-songwriter recordings? A little patience provides the answers: this is material that truly connects on an emotional level, its gentle rhythms and compelling cadences topped by vocals that can’t be faked, that come characterised by a complete lack of artifice and affectation. His is a deep voice, one that sounds aged beyond its years, perhaps. And yet, it’s telling of timeless stories, endless ache and forever love. It asks that we all find the right way to see the world around us.
One number that specifically addresses the need for optimism is the single ‘Tiger Striped Sky’. Says Panes: “It’s about the idea where we can look at any situation ahead of us in two ways: either it’s challenging, and off-putting, or you can say that you love a challenge. It’s about the idea that you chose your context, and if you put yourself into a negative context, you’re going to come out with stripes on you.”
The title track is about addressing one’s own shortcomings in order to better themselves. “It’s accepting that you have to realise your own vulnerabilities in order to become stronger,” says Panes. “That’s why there’s the line, ‘Have the heart of a giant / But know you’re a man.’ You have to take things step by step. It’s also got that message of hope, as well.”
These songs are, says Panes, “personal, and vulnerable – but expansive, too. Because I don’t want it to just be about me. Here’s a bit of me, to help you understand a bit of you. I think positivity and hope are things worth giving to people, and I think that the album does transmit a lot of hope.”
I'll Move Mountains
Roo Panes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fashion you a face from your disguise,
Loving never helped that lonely heart,
The world a hostile city from the start.
And no-ones towing your slip stream,
your a tigress with your wild dreams it true.
But from the outside looking in I say, I'll move mountains!
Oh cry my friend no more, you've seen your stars aligning I'm sure.
And now your hope's horizons are hands.
A light against a darkened sky, your truth must outshine all the lies it seems.
But from the outside looking I, I say I'd move mountains!
There's trouble on the east flank it is true,
There's a wolf pack on you heals its after you,
Love is not a word that the world know,
Whilst fighting for survival from its foes.
And something's take a life to learn,
Your innocence forced to discern it seems.
But from the outside looking in I say I'd move mountains!
The lyrics of "I'll Move Mountains" by Roo Pane are quite introspective, highlighting themes of loneliness, disillusionment and the struggle to survive in a hostile world. The opening lines "Time will heal those broken eyes, Fashion you a face from your disguise" indicate that the singer has been through some traumatic experiences in the past and is now trying to move on. However, the next lines "Loving never helped that lonely heart, The world a hostile city from the start" reveal that they have a pessimistic view about the world and do not believe that love can heal their wounds.
The lyrics then go on to describe the singer as someone who is fiercely independent, symbolized by the line "And no-ones towing your slip stream, your a tigress with your wild dreams it true." They have big dreams and aspirations, but feel like they are on their own in pursuing them. Yet, the singer promises to stand by them and help them achieve their goals, as conveyed in the chorus "But from the outside looking in I say, I'll move mountains! Oh cry my friend no more, you've seen your stars aligning I'm sure."
The song then touches on the theme of resilience, as seen in the lines "A light against a darkened sky, your truth must outshine all the lies it seems." The singer has learned some hard lessons in life and faced many challenges, but they haven't given up. They continue to persevere and move forward despite the odds stacked against them. The last verse talks about the harsh realities of the world and the need to fight for survival, but the singer reminds the singer that they are not alone and offers their support to overcome any obstacle.
Line by Line Meaning
Time will heal those broken eyes,
Eventually, your pain and sorrow will subside, and you will be able to see clearly again.
Fashion you a face from your disguise,
You've been hiding behind a mask, but one day you'll find the strength to be yourself and show your true face.
Loving never helped that lonely heart,
Despite your attempts to find love and companionship, your heart still feels empty and alone.
The world a hostile city from the start.
The world can be a cruel and dangerous place, and it seems like it's been that way since the beginning of time.
And no-ones towing your slip stream,
You're forging your own path in life, and you don't need anyone else to guide or support you.
your a tigress with your wild dreams it true.
You're a strong and independent person with ambitious goals and aspirations.
But from the outside looking in I say, I'll move mountains!
Even though I'm not in your shoes, I'm confident that I can accomplish anything to help you overcome your challenges.
Oh cry my friend no more, you've seen your stars aligning I'm sure.
Don't despair, because things are starting to look up for you and your future is bright.
You etched all of your circles in the sand,
You've made plans and decisions that are temporary and subject to change.
And now your hope's horizons are hands.
You've taken control of your destiny and are optimistic about what the future holds.
A light against a darkened sky, your truth must outshine all the lies it seems.
In a world filled with falsehoods and deceit, it's important to stay true to yourself and be a beacon of honesty and integrity.
But from the outside looking I, I say I'd move mountains!
Even though I'm not experiencing your struggles firsthand, I'm still committed to doing whatever it takes to support and help you.
There's trouble on the east flank it is true,
Your life is currently facing challenges and obstacles from a particular direction.
There's a wolf pack on you heals its after you,
You're being pursued by those who seek to harm you or bring you down.
Love is not a word that the world know,
Despite its importance, love is often lacking or absent in the world.
Whilst fighting for survival from its foes.
In addition to the challenges of everyday life, you're also fighting against those who are trying to hurt or destroy you.
And something's take a life to learn,
Some lessons in life can only be learned through experience and the passage of time.
Your innocence forced to discern it seems.
You've been exposed to some harsh realities that have made you question your beliefs and values.
But from the outside looking in I say I'd move mountains!
Even though I may not fully understand what you're going through, I'm committed to supporting you and helping you overcome any obstacle.
Writer(s): Andrew David Panes
Contributed by Sophia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@PeterJohnJnb
BLOODY HELL! Where have I been for the past 10 years?!?!?!?! I am solidly in love with this individual.
@spotafricamedia1416
These lyrics ringing in my heart from the outside looking in "I will move mountains " Am in love with this song and everything about it
@shivampathak9576
Seafret, Kodaline, Roo Panes, Mumford&Sons, Lumineers... Wow, I love my YouTube recommendations today.
@ottorinogentile5457
Syml.
@katyj.5104
Of monsters and men
@flappax
exactly 💙
@rorykamryn3923
Instablaster.
@anigbochinaza7744
Sleeping at last😌
@J4Nie69
Perfect combination. The song. The nature. The hunk. <3
@RobertoooMusic
I wish this guy was more well known, he is so awesome