Wainwright was born in Rhinebeck, New York, USA, to folk singers Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle (they divorced while he was a child). He began to play the piano at age six, and by age thirteen he was touring with his sister Martha Wainwright, mother Kate, and aunt Anna as the McGarrigle Sisters and Family.
His song I'm A-Runnin', which he performed in the movie Tommy Tricker and the Stamp Traveller (in which he also played a minor character), was nominated for the 1989 Genie Award for Best Original Song and earned him a nomination for the 1990 Juno Award for Most Promising Male Vocalist.
He lived in Montreal with his mother for most of his childhood and briefly attended McGill University, where he studied both classical and 'rock' piano. Some of his songs feature his mastery of French. Wainwright still maintains a residence in Canada.
He came out as gay while still a teen.
Wainwright became interested in opera throughout his adolescent years (for instance, his track Barcelona features lyrics of Giuseppe Verdi). He also became an enthusiast of such performers as Édith Piaf, Al Jolson and Judy Garland.
After having been a fixture on the Montreal club circuit, Wainwright cut a series of demo tapes, one of which found itself in the hands of DreamWorks executive Lenny Waronker. The label signed him and he released the self-titled Rufus Wainwright album in the spring of 1998. This album received much critical acclaim in Canada, and was recognized by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the best albums of the year. Wainwright's second album, Poses (2001), brought similar acclaim.
Wainwright's first main exposure to the American public came as an opener to singer Tori Amos in 2001 and 2002. He garnered praise for his performance and began touring as a main act shortly afterwards. He has frequently toured as the opener for Sting and co-headlined with Ben Folds and Guster in the summer of 2004. He still often performs with his sister Martha Wainwright (now herself an emerging artist) on backup vocals. Despite a growing cult following and critical acclaim, Wainwright has experienced only marginal commercial success in the United States.
In addition to being a pianist, Wainwright is a guitarist, often switching between the two instruments when performing live; however, his mastery of the guitar does not approach his talent with the piano within the Piano rock genre. While some of his most moving songs feature just Wainwright with his piano, many of his songs display complex layering and harmonies, occasionally comprising hundreds of individual parts. Wainwright is an avid opera fan, and the influences on his music are evident, as well as his love of Schubert 'Lieder'; his music has been described as "Popera" (Pop Opera) or "Baroque Pop." His lyrics are filled with allusions to opera, literature, pop culture, and, more recently, politics (in songs such as Gay Messiah and Waiting for a Dream). Wainwright is a recovering crystal meth addict and a rape survivor; he uses the press to bring awareness to these societal problems.
His talent has been widely recognized and praised by such artists as Elton John, Morrissey, John Mayer, and Sting, and he continues to influence artists like Keane, Alanis Morissette, Scissor Sisters, and Ben Folds.
Wainwright's Want Two, from which four songs were released as the EP Waiting for a Want, was released by DreamWorks/Geffen on November 16, 2004. It is a companion to the 2003 release Want One. His latest, a live iTunes Sessions EP entitled Alright Already, was released March 15, 2005. A DVD entitled All I Want, featuring a biographical documentary, music videos, and live performances, was released on both sides of the Atlantic in summer 2005. The same year was also notable for two major contributions as solo vocalist to a pair of important records: the Mercury Prize winning I am a Bird Now and At This Time.
The pair of Want albums was repackaged as Want for a late November 2005 release to coincide with the start of a British tour. The version of Want One is that which contains the two extra songs Es Mus Sein and Velvet Curtain Rag. The Want (Want One and Want Two combined) package in the UK has two new extra tracks: Chelsea Hotel No. 2 and In with the Ladies, which replace Coeur de Parisienne — Reprise d'Arletty and Quand Vous Mourez de Nos Amours from 2004's augmented edition.
Rufus' fifth studio album Release the Stars was released by Geffen on May 15, 2007. The album was executive produced by Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys and featured Richard Thompson, Teddy Thompson, Martha Wainwright, Kate McGarrigle, Neil Tennant, Joan Wasser, Julianna Raye, Larry Mullins - pka Toby Dammit and Sian Phillips.[14]. It reached number 2 in the UK and debuted at number 23 in the USA. The first single of the album, "Going To A Town" was released on April 3, 2007 on the iTunes music store.
Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall is his sixth album. It is a live recording of his June 2006 tribute concert to Judy Garland. Backed by a 36-piece orchestra under the conduction of Stephen Oremus, Wainwright recreated Garland's April 23, 1961 concert, often considered "the greatest night in show business history." After overcoming many personal problems, her comeback performance of 25+ American standards spawned the double album, "Judy at Carnegie Hall."
As well as Tommy Tricker and the Stamp Traveller, Wainwright has appeared in the films The Aviator and Heights. Rufus has music in the film Brokeback Mountain, for which he recorded The Maker Makes and King of the Road, as well as a minor cameo as a guitar player.
Wainwright released his sixth studio album All Days Are Nights: Songs For Lulu in March 2010. In stark contrast to the lush ornamentation of Release The Stars, the album is a simple voice and piano rendition of a song cycle that includes versions of three Shakespeare sonnets, and an excerpt from his 2009 opera Prima Donna.
The Lulu figure of the title is said by Wainwright to be "the dark, brooding, dangerous woman that lives within all of us", similar to the Dark Lady character in Shakespeare's sonnets. The first part of the title comes from the final couplet of William Shakespeare's "Sonnet 43" ("All days are nights to see till I see thee...").
Barcelona
Rufus Wainwright Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When shadows held the world in place
But today I felt a chill in my apartment's
Coolest place
"Fuggi regal Fantasima"
The village larks cannot be heard
Cause all the crows got panderers
I can't escape these velvet drapes,
"Fuggi Regal Fantasima"
The mirror I find hard to face
Cause I fear its a long way down
Got to get away from here, I think I know
Which hemisphere
Crazy me don't think there's pain in Barcelona
They dance you 'round a waltz confound
But I fear it's a long way down
Yes I fear its a long way down
Even if that straw I pull
And I got to fight that bull
Nothing really does compare to Barcelona
Besides in Spain Don Juan's to blame
But I fear it's a long way down
Yes it's a long way down
Cause I fear it's a long way down
And I fear I won't be around
Got to get away from here, I think I know
Which hemisphere
Make sure I have all my papers
Laying out my summer clothes
Search for traps in vain like scratching
So my suitcase I can close
"Fuggi Regal Fantasima"
The song "Barcelona" by Rufus Wainwright is about feeling trapped and needing to escape to a new place to find some relief from the pressures and anxieties of life. The first stanza sets the scene of a world in chaos, with the summer sun setting like a vicious circus and shadows holding the world in place. The singer is in their apartment, feeling a chill in the coolest place, and surrounded by velvet drapes that they can't escape. The phrase "Fuggi regal Fantasima" is Italian for "Flee royal Phantasma," suggesting the desire to escape the illusory world they find themselves in.
The second stanza continues with the theme of feeling trapped and wanting to escape. The mirror is hard to face, as the singer fears the long way down to the ground, perhaps suggesting a fear of falling or a sense of being stuck in a high place. They express a desire to get away from Barcelona and find a new hemisphere where they won't feel so confined. They mention the dance of the waltz confounding them, perhaps suggesting the endless cycles of life that they can't escape from.
The final stanza brings everything together, with the singer thinking about packing their suitcase and laying out their summer clothes. They feel trapped and need to escape, but they fear the unknown and the risk of falling. They acknowledge that even if they go to Spain, they can't escape the fact that Don Juan is to blame, again suggesting the endless cycles of life. The phrase "Fuggi regal Fantasima" is repeated, emphasizing the need to escape from the illusions of the world.
Overall, "Barcelona" is a song about feeling trapped and needing to escape to find some relief. It acknowledges the fear of the unknown and the risks of falling, but ultimately suggests that it's worth it to try and escape the illusions of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
The summer sun sets a vicious circus
The setting summer sun brings a feeling of chaos and unpredictability, like a circus gone wild.
When shadows held the world in place
In the past, darkness seemed to dominate everything, creating a feeling of stagnation and lack of progress.
But today I felt a chill in my apartment's Coolest place
Although things have changed, there is still something unsettling in the air that gives the singer a sense of discomfort.
"Fuggi regal Fantasima"
This Italian phrase roughly translates to 'flight of a royal phantom', suggesting a desire to escape from reality or a haunted past.
The village larks cannot be heard
Amidst the noise and confusion of modern life, simple pleasures like listening to birdsong can be difficult to find.
Cause all the crows got panderers
Instead of innocent, pleasant chirps and peeps, there are only harsh, grating calls from opportunistic scavenger birds.
I can't escape these velvet drapes,
Despite trying to leave behind their current situation, the singer feels trapped by the luxurious yet suffocating surroundings.
Don't want my rings to fall off my fingers
The artist is worried about losing their material possessions or social status, which are important to them.
"Fuggi Regal Fantasima"
The Italian phrase is repeated, further emphasizing the desire to flee from something that haunts the artist.
The mirror I find hard to face
The artist is struggling with the harsh reality reflected back at them by the mirror, whether it be physical flaws or emotional turmoil.
Cause I fear its a long way down
There is a sense of danger or risk involved in leaving behind one's current circumstances and embarking on a new adventure.
Got to get away from here, I think I know Which hemisphere
The artist is determined to escape, but unsure of where to go or what direction to take.
Crazy me don't think there's pain in Barcelona
The singer has unrealistic expectations of what their destination will offer, particularly in terms of an escape from pain or hardship, which they attribute to their own foolishness.
They dance you 'round a waltz confound
Barcelona is portrayed as a place of dizzying, thrilling excitement and swirling romanticism that can be overwhelming to newcomers.
But I fear it's a long way down
Despite the attractions of Barcelona, the singer is still subject to the risks and uncertainties of making such a drastic change.
Yes I fear its a long way down
The repetition of the line emphasizes the anxiety and uncertainty inherent in any journey or endeavor.
Even if that straw I pull And I got to fight that bull
Even if the artist manages to find success or adventure in Barcelona, there will still be challenges and difficulties to face.
Nothing really does compare to Barcelona
Despite the risks and anxieties involved, the singer believes that the potential rewards of traveling to Barcelona are worth the trouble.
Besides in Spain Don Juan's to blame
The allusion to Don Juan, the legendary Spanish seducer, suggests that Barcelona and Spain in general are associated with passion, romance, and adventure.
But I fear it's a long way down
The artist's fear of the journey and the unknown is repeated, emphasizing the risk and uncertainty involved in leaving behind one's current life.
Yes it's a long way down
The repetition of this line emphasizes the risk and anxiety involved in making such a drastic change.
Cause I fear it's a long way down
The artist's fear of the journey and what may lie ahead is the central concern of the song.
And I fear I won't be around
The risks involved in leaving behind one's current life are so great that the singer is beginning to fear for their own safety and well-being.
Got to get away from here, I think I know Which hemisphere
The final repetition of the line emphasizes the artist's desperation to escape their current situation and their determination to take a chance on a new adventure, despite the risks.
Make sure I have all my papers
In preparing for the journey to Barcelona, the singer is concerned with the practical details and making sure they have all the necessary documents in order.
Laying out my summer clothes
The singer is focused on the details of their wardrobe, which may be seen as a symbol of their identity or social status.
Search for traps in vain like scratching, So my suitcase I can close
The singer is looking for any possible obstacles or traps that may prevent them from leaving, so that they can make a clean and swift getaway.
"Fuggi Regal Fantasima"
The repetition of this phrase at the end of the song leaves the sense that the artist is still haunted by some personal issue or problem that they are trying to escape through their journey to Barcelona.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Rufus Wainwright
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind