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.”
Little Giant
Roo Panes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I was naked, dressed in my pride.
You see through the things, I hide.
Yeah, it's still same, be yourself, you'll turn out alright.
You made me run like I never run,
Try like I never tried,
Fight like I've never fought,
You made me run like I've never run,
Try like I've never tried,
Fight like I've never fought,
Made me want it.
I'm always saying, I'll make it right my dear,
'Cause losing you's my greatest fear.
I know I found all the play and decide
Yeah, it's still said, don't be stupid, you'll turn out alright.
You make me run like I never run,
Try like I never tried,
Fight like I've never fought.
Made me want it.
You make me run like I never run,
Try like I never tried,
Fight like I've never fought.
Made me want it.
Who said it's easy, to be loved,
When you look over your shoulder and only see the wasteland?
Just got to carry what you can,
Have the heart of a giant, but know you're a man.
Who said it's easy, to be loved,
When you look over your shoulder and only see the wasteland?
Just got to carry what you can,
Have the heart of a giant, but know you're a man.
Start small, grow tall.
Start small, grow tall.
Start small, grow tall.
Start small, grow tall.
The lyrics of Roo Panes's song "Little Giant" reflect the themes of vulnerability, honesty, and personal growth. The first verse depicts the singer's realization that he was not as strong as he thought, as he was stripped of his pride and exposed for who he truly was. He acknowledges that someone in his life saw through the facade he was putting on and encouraged him to be himself, which is ultimately the key to success.
The chorus repeats the phrase "You made me run like I never run, try like I never tried, fight like I've never fought, made me want it", emphasizing the influence that the person in the singer's life had on him. This person inspired him to push himself harder than he ever had before and to strive for success in all aspects of life. The singer recognizes that losing this person would be devastating and vows to do whatever it takes to make things right.
The second verse continues the theme of personal growth, as the singer admits that he has made mistakes but is willing to learn from them. The lyrics "just got to carry what you can, have the heart of a giant, but know you're a man" suggest that it is important to be resilient and strong-willed, but also to accept one's limitations and strive for personal growth through hard work and dedication.
Overall, "Little Giant" sends a powerful message about the importance of honesty and vulnerability in personal growth and relationships. It emphasizes the need to be true to oneself and to push oneself to be the best possible version of oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Thought that I was in, my prime.
I thought I had reached my peak.
But I was naked, dressed in my pride.
I was exposed because of my arrogance.
You see through the things I hide.
You can see through my facade.
Yeah, it's still same, be yourself, you'll turn out alright.
Always be true to yourself and things will be okay.
You made me run like I never run, Try like I never tried, Fight like I've never fought, Made me want it.
You pushed me to my limits and made me want success.
I'm always saying, I'll make it right my dear, 'Cause losing you's my greatest fear.
I don't want to lose you, so I always try to make things right.
I know I found all the play and decide, Yeah, it's still said, don't be stupid, you'll turn out alright.
I've discovered how to make the right choices and still believe in being sensible to succeed.
Who said it's easy, to be loved, When you look over your shoulder and only see the wasteland?
It's hard to be loved when you feel alone and unsupported.
Just got to carry what you can, Have the heart of a giant, but know you're a man.
We should carry what we can and have courage, but also remember that we are human.
Start small, grow tall.
It's okay to start small and work your way up.
Start small, grow tall.
Starting small can lead to great heights.
Start small, grow tall.
Small beginnings can lead to big success.
Start small, grow tall.
Every big journey starts with a small step.
Contributed by Mila O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@whatyouseekisseekingyou
"Little Giant"
Thought that I was in my prime
But I was naked, dressed in my pride
You see through the things I hide
Yeah, still you said be yourself, you'll turn out alright
You made me run like I never run
Try like I never tried
Fight like I've never fought
Made me want it
You made me run like I've never run
Try like I've never tried
Fight like I've never fought
Made me want it
I'm always saying, I'll make it right my dear
'Cause losing you's my greatest fear
I know I found all the blame and decide
Yeah, still you said be yourself, you'll turn out alright
You make me run like I never run
Try like I've never tried
Fight like I've never fought
Made me want it
You make me run like I never run
Try like I've never tried
Fight like I've never fought
Made me want it
Who said it's easy, to be loved
When you look over your shoulder and only see the wasteland?
Just got to carry what you can
Have the heart of a giant, but know you're a man
Who said it's easy, to be loved
When you look over your shoulder and only see the wasteland?
Just got to carry what you can
Have the heart of a giant, but know you're a man
Start small, grow tall
Start small, grow tall
Start small, grow tall
Start small, grow tall
@whatyouseekisseekingyou
"Little Giant"
Thought that I was in my prime
But I was naked, dressed in my pride
You see through the things I hide
Yeah, still you said be yourself, you'll turn out alright
You made me run like I never run
Try like I never tried
Fight like I've never fought
Made me want it
You made me run like I've never run
Try like I've never tried
Fight like I've never fought
Made me want it
I'm always saying, I'll make it right my dear
'Cause losing you's my greatest fear
I know I found all the blame and decide
Yeah, still you said be yourself, you'll turn out alright
You make me run like I never run
Try like I've never tried
Fight like I've never fought
Made me want it
You make me run like I never run
Try like I've never tried
Fight like I've never fought
Made me want it
Who said it's easy, to be loved
When you look over your shoulder and only see the wasteland?
Just got to carry what you can
Have the heart of a giant, but know you're a man
Who said it's easy, to be loved
When you look over your shoulder and only see the wasteland?
Just got to carry what you can
Have the heart of a giant, but know you're a man
Start small, grow tall
Start small, grow tall
Start small, grow tall
Start small, grow tall
@christopherhayes699
Awesomely beautiful
@silvanagili9641
Bellissima!!!!
@souravmandal5514
Thank you
@toddnelson5850
You said don’t be stupid.
@pickrunner
Be brave, but humble: just got to carry what you can, have the heart of a giant but know you're a man!
@waynekoelsch5586
James Meloche I
@graysongiddins9234
Songs/artists like this are reminders that there is still music out in the world that can speak to and feed your soul.
Music like this is a gift.
@micahsnow346
I love a lot of Roo’s music but this is absolutely his masterpiece
@j0o235
The older I become the more I remember the days when I was child and the days of my youth come flooding back with the memorys of my mother and my old house were I was born..