His debut album entitled The Voice followed in May 2001, a mixture of operatic arias and covers of pop songs, topping the UK classical music charts and eventually reaching number five in the UK album charts. Later when released in the United States the album took the number one spot and made history as the first time a British artist has held both the US and UK classical number one. The album featured a duet with Cleo of girlgroup Cleopatra (band) on the song 'Someone like You'. Cleo also did a duet with Russell on his third album 'Reprise' on the song 'The Best That Love Can Be' Cleo.
Prior to the formation of Velvet Revolver, Russell Watson was asked by Slash (former guitarist of Guns n' Roses and currently in Velvet Revolver) whether he would be their singer, however he rejected; on grounds of continuing his solo career, at least for the time being.
Also in 2001, Watson sang the opening theme of Star Trek: Enterprise, "Where My Heart Will Take Me" (written by Diane Warren), originally sung by Rod Stewart for Patch Adams. The song was remixed to be more upbeat in 2003. Watson also sang it live at the Commonwealth games opening ceremony in England in 2002.
In late 2002, he released the single "Nothing Sacred - A Song For Kirsty" to raise money for the Francis House children's hospice in Didsbury, Manchester. Their campaign to raise £5 million was fronted by Kirsty Howard, a seven-year-old girl with a serious heart defect. The song reached number 17 in the UK singles chart. [2]
Watson won the Album of the Year at the Classical Brit Awards in both 2001[3] and 2002[4], also collecting Best-Selling Debut Album (2001) and Best-Selling Album (2002). He recently played Parson Nathaniel in the stage adaptation of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds which toured the UK in early 2006.
Perhaps Watson’s most unusual collaboration to date is with former Happy Mondays singer Shaun Ryder on Watson’s first album The Voice. Ryder lends his vocals to the Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé song "Barcelona".
La Califfa
Russell Watson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Questa crudelta di padroni
Ha visto in me
Solo una cagna che
Mi mett' anch'
Io alla tua catena
Se attraverso la città
Il corpo mio
Che passa tra di voi
E' un invettiva contro la viltà
Tu ritroverai con me
La più splendida proprietà
Un attimo di sole sopra noi
Alla ricerca di te
Don't believe, because
The cruelty or proprietors
Has seen in me
Just a dog which
Puts itself at your chain
When I cross the city
This hypocrite, your city
My mind
Which passes through both of you
Is an insult at cowardice
You will find again
The most splendid possession
A moment of sun above us
In search of you
The lyrics of Russell Watson's La Califfa poetically describe the struggles of a woman who is looked down upon by society and perceived as nothing more than a servant or slave. The song speaks to the oppressive nature of those in power and the woman's desire to break free from their grasp.
The woman professes to her lover that he shouldn't believe the cruel words of the masters who view her as insignificant and treat her like a dog. She acknowledges that they have put her in chains, but she is willing to break free from them if it means being with him.
As she moves through the city, she feels the weight of society's judgment, but her body serves as an act of rebellion against their hypocrisy. She is determined to fight against the cowardice of those in power.
The lyrics take a positive turn as the woman promises her lover that they will find the most splendid possession - a moment of sun above them - as they search for each other. This moment of warmth and light symbolizes their freedom from oppression and the hope of a brighter future together.
Overall, La Califfa's lyrics poignantly convey the struggles of marginalized individuals in society and the determination to break free from oppressive systems.
Line by Line Meaning
Tu non credere perche
Do not believe because
Questa crudelta di padroni
This cruelty of the masters
Ha visto in me
Has seen in me
Solo una cagna che
Just a dog that
Mi mett' anch'
Also puts me
Io alla tua catena
On your chain
Se attraverso la città
If I cross the city
Questa ipocrita, tua città
This hypocritical, your city
Il corpo mio
My body
Che passa tra di voi
Passing through you
E' un invettiva contro la viltà
Is a condemnation against cowardice
Tu ritroverai con me
You will rediscover with me
La più splendida proprietà
The most splendid possession
Un attimo di sole sopra noi
A moment of sun above us
Alla ricerca di te
In search of you
Writer(s): E. Morricone, A. Bevilacqua
Contributed by Asher C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.