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.”
Thinking Of Japan
Roo Panes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's thinking of Japan
And every time he hears
The word he feels like crying
Oh he's never even been there
But he's been close to you
Close enough to feel somehow
Everything you're feeling now
Thinking of Japan thinking of Japan
Thinking of Japan
Yet his memory of you
Your dance and shape, the grace of view
Against the backdrop of the bed
The blue heels slipping it was just a photo
A simple photo of Kyoto
Thoughts you'd like to know
Thinking of Japan thinking of Japan
Thinking of Japan thinking of Japan
I don't know how to pass the time
I don't know how to pass the time
I don't know, I don't know
(Thinking, thinking of Japan)
I don't know how to pass the time
(Thinking, thinking of Japan)
I don't know, I don't know
(Thinking, thinking of Japan) i don't know
Lately I've been dreaming dreaming of Japan
And every time I hear
The word I feel like sighing
Roo Panes's song "Thinking Of Japan" captures a profound sense of longing and introspection, embodied in the metaphorical and literal connections to Japan. The opening lines introduce a protagonist consumed by thoughts of a place he has never visited but shares an emotional connection with — Japan. The recurring motif of crying suggests a deep well of emotions tied to this symbol, indicating that the mere mention of Japan evokes memories and feelings associated with a significant relationship. This reveals a complex understanding of how geographical locations can hold deep personal meanings, often shaping our feelings based on past experiences, even if those experiences did not directly occur in that setting.
As the song progresses, the lyrics delve into the memories of a significant person connected to Japan, weaving images of grace and beauty through the remembered dance and physical presence of this individual. The juxtaposition of the backdrop of a bed with the reference to "blue heels slipping" paints a vivid scene, suggesting intimacy and nostalgia. This imagery is intensified by the mention of a simple photo from Kyoto, reinforcing the idea that moments captured in time can encapsulate feelings far deeper than the image itself. Here, Kyoto serves as a vessel for connection, showcasing how love and memory are intricately tied to specific places, even as distance physically separates individuals and experiences.
The refrain of "I don’t know how to pass the time" emphasizes the emotional void the singer feels in the absence of this person and possibly the experience of Japan. This uncertainty reflects a sense of longing and disconnection in the present moment, where time drags on without purpose or direction. The repetition of this line, intertwined with the thoughts of Japan, underscores a sense of helplessness. The singer's reflections illustrate the paradox of time — while the mind wanders to cherished memories, reality feels stagnant without the joy and connection tied to that person. The invocation of Japan as a recurring thought acts as a comfort and a torment, reminding him of the love and experiences that now feel distant.
Ultimately, as the singer continues to dream of Japan and feels an emotional sigh whenever the name is mentioned, the lyrics encapsulate a broader narrative about longing, memories, and the impact of distant places on our personal experiences. Japan symbolizes both a physical destination that he yearns to experience and an emotional state tied to memory and affection. In essence, Roo Panes’s song explores how certain people and places linger in our thoughts and hearts, intricately shaping our emotions and reminding us of the beauty and melancholy that often accompany love and desire. The rich imagery and poignant reflections resonate deeply, inviting listeners to consider their own connections to places and people that, though perhaps never experienced fully, hold significant meaning in the landscape of their memories.
Line by Line Meaning
Lately he's been thinking
Recently, he has been reflecting deeply.
He's thinking of Japan
His thoughts are consumed by the country of Japan.
And every time he hears
Whenever the subject arises,
The word he feels like crying
It stirs profound emotions within him, making him want to weep.
Oh he's never even been there
He has yet to visit this place that captivates him.
But he's been close to you
However, he has formed a close bond with someone connected to it.
Close enough to feel somehow
Intimately enough to experience the emotions that come with that connection.
Everything you're feeling now
All the sentiments you are currently experiencing.
Thinking of Japan thinking of Japan
His mind continually revisits thoughts of Japan.
Thinking of Japan
The contemplation persists.
Yet his memory of you
However, what he holds onto is not just a place, but you.
Your dance and shape, the grace of view
He recalls your elegance and the beauty of your presence.
Against the backdrop of the bed
In a setting that suggests intimacy and personal connection.
The blue heels slipping it was just a photo
He recalls an image depicting you, specifically from a moment captured on camera.
A simple photo of Kyoto
A straightforward picture portraying the essence of Kyoto.
Thoughts you'd like to know
He wonders if these musings would be significant to you.
Thinking of Japan thinking of Japan
He repeatedly reflects on Japan.
Thinking of Japan thinking of Japan
These thoughts remain persistent.
I don't know how to pass the time
He finds himself at a loss for ways to occupy himself.
I don't know how to pass the time
The struggle to fill the hours continues.
I don't know, I don't know
A feeling of confusion or uncertainty overwhelms him.
(Thinking, thinking of Japan)
His contemplation of Japan remains constant.
I don't know how to pass the time
Again, he admits he lacks distractions.
(Thinking, thinking of Japan)
His mind circles back to Japan.
I don't know, I don't know
He continues to grapple with uncertainty.
(Thinking, thinking of Japan) i don't know
His thoughts spiral around Japan while he feels lost.
Lately I've been dreaming dreaming of Japan
Recently, his dreams have been filled with images of Japan.
And every time I hear
Whenever he perceives mentions of it,
The word I feel like sighing
It elicits a deep, wistful response within him.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ANDREW PANES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ulker Mehrali
Lyrics:
Lately he's been thinking
Been thinking of Japan
And every time he hears
The word he feels like crying
Oh, he's never even been there
But he's been close to you
Close enough to feel somehow
Everything you're feeling now
Thinking of Japan
Thinking of Japan
Thinking of Japan
The earliest memory of you
Your dancing shape that graced the view
Against the backdrop of the bay
The blue hills slipping through their shades
It was just a photo
(It was just a photo)
A simple photo of Kyoto
I might go alone
Thought you'd like to know
Thinking of Japan
Thinking of Japan
Thinking of Japan
Thinking of Japan
I don't know how to pass the time
I don't know how to pass the time
I don't know
I don't know
(Thinking, thinking of Japan)
I don't know how to pass the time
(Thinking, thinking of Japan)
I don't know
I don't know
(Thinking, thinking of Japan)
I don't know
Lately I've been dreaming
Dreaming of Japan
And every time I hear
The word I feel like sighing
esp9
❤
Rachel rich
Lovely