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.”
Our Time
Roo Panes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Laughed into my coffee couldn’t hide it.
Cos all of these years that I’ve lived alone,
Finally you and I will build a home.
33 years on this planet,
Don’t think i’ll ever understand it,
If it’s working out better than I planned it,
What shall we do with our time?
Cos we’ll do the rest together,
Oh what shall we do with our lifetime?
Something we can do forever.
Dust in the air from making changes,
Let every clear morning turn the pages.
When I open my eyes and you’re the one I find,
I will be yours and you’ll be mine.
Cos it’s our time, our time,
Oh it’s our time, our time now.
What shall we do with our time?
Cos we’ll do the rest together,
Oh what shall we do with our lifetime?
Something we can do forever.
In the opening lines of "Our Time," Roo Panes beautifully captures a moment of warmth and joy as he wakes up with an overwhelming sense of excitement. The imagery of laughter mingling with coffee exemplifies a lighthearted, contemplative state, suggesting a newfound happiness rooted in a relationship. The mention of having lived alone for many years sets a poignant backdrop; it emphasizes the significance of companionship and the meaningful transition from solitude to partnership. The commitment to build a home together symbolizes not just a physical space, but a shared life filled with love, experiences, and memories, highlighting the importance of emotional security and stability that a relationship can offer.
As the song continues, Panes reflects on his 33 years of existence with a sense of bewilderment and curiosity about life itself. The lines hint at an ongoing introspection; he grapples with understanding the complexities of life—whether it's unfolded in a way that surpasses his expectations or if he’s simply reaching a point of maturity and acceptance. The phrase “coming in for landing" conjures the image of reaching a destination after a long journey, suggesting a sense of fulfillment and readiness to embrace a new chapter. This internal struggle reveals an underlying theme of growth and self-discovery, highlighting how life experiences shape our understanding of love and purpose.
The chorus emerges as a profound inquiry into the use of one’s time, revealing a common human preoccupation with meaning and legacy. Panes asks this question with both anticipation and eagerness, pointing to the potential of shared experiences as a couple. The repetition of “Our Time” reinforces the notion of collaboration and shared goals within their relationship, celebrating the idea that life is best lived together. This lyrical refrain invites listeners to reflect on their own relationships and the unique paths they choose to take, suggesting that the joy of existence lies not just in time spent, but in the depth of connections formed and memories created.
In the latter verses, the imagery of dust and mornings symbolizes transformation and renewal, emphasizing that change is a constant in life. The act of turning pages resonates with the idea of moving forward, embracing new beginnings, and heralding the start of something beautiful. When the singer expresses the notion of belonging to each other, it underscores the intimacy and devotion that defines their relationship. The closing repetition of “it’s our time” encapsulates the essence of partnership and shared dreams, highlighting the beauty of co-authoring their lives together. This conclusion serves as a celebration of love, commitment, and an optimistic outlook on the future, firmly rooting the song in the themes of connection, change, and the joy of life together.
Line by Line Meaning
Woke up this morning so excited,
I greeted the day with overwhelming joy and anticipation.
Laughed into my coffee couldn’t hide it.
I found myself filled with happiness, even while enjoying my morning coffee.
Cos all of these years that I’ve lived alone,
Reflecting on my solitary life up to this point.
Finally you and I will build a home.
At long last, we will create a shared life and safe haven together.
33 years on this planet,
Having spent over three decades on Earth.
Don’t think i’ll ever understand it,
I find it difficult to comprehend the experiences and complexities of life.
If it’s working out better than I planned it,
Questioning whether life is unfolding more positively than I had envisioned.
Or maybe i’m coming in for landing.
Perhaps I am reaching a turning point or conclusion in my journey.
What shall we do with our time?
Considering how we will choose to utilize the moments we have together.
Cos we’ll do the rest together,
It’s understood that we will navigate our future side by side.
Oh what shall we do with our lifetime?
Pondering the purpose and activities we will fill our lives with.
Something we can do forever.
Seeking a passion or pursuit that will sustain and fulfill us indefinitely.
Dust in the air from making changes,
Acknowledging the remnants of transformation and growth around us.
Let every clear morning turn the pages.
Embracing each new day as an opportunity for fresh beginnings and progress.
When I open my eyes and you’re the one I find,
Experiencing joy and comfort in the presence of my partner upon waking.
I will be yours and you’ll be mine.
A promise of mutual belonging and commitment in our relationship.
Cos it’s our time, our time,
We are in a moment that belongs uniquely to us.
Oh it’s our time, our time now.
Emphasizing the significance of this moment and the joy it brings.
What shall we do with our time?
Continuing to reflect on how we wish to spend our shared moments.
Cos we’ll do the rest together,
Reaffirming our commitment to face the future united.
Oh what shall we do with our lifetime?
Revisiting the question of how we will fill our lives meaningfully.
Something we can do forever.
Seeking enduring activities that enrich our existence together.
Lyrics © BDI Music Limited
Written by: ANDREW DAVID PANES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@natashak.3117
This is so sweet! Love the song! It's wonderful how your happiness with your wife inspires you to write such beautiful music for the rest of the world to enjoy. I'm so happy for you guys and for being able to hear this beautiful song that without your love we wouldn't have.
@angelokazo9850
I like your songs. Calming, freshing. Greetings from Croatia.
@stellarsky9945
Ja ga isto obozavam😊
@angelokazo9850
@@stellarsky9945 😊
@2297monika
Heej, kako je lijepo vidjeti da ga još netko voli slušati 🤗
@angelokazo9850
@@2297monika Slucajno ga otkrio i evo već godinu dvije uživam uz ovu divnu glazbu. 😁
@2297monika
@@angelokazo9850 Slično i ja 🤗
@mmaaarr
I love this song. Roo, thank you for sharing your happiness with us through your music.
@18Gemmicole
Roo panes songs just hit different ❤
@chitthi_1111
Calmed my nerves. Feels so good