The talented singer/songwriter spent that year a special guest on the sold-out Overtones UK tour, playing at prestigious venues including the London Palladium and performing to some 40,000 people. His album Brighter Day wound its way in the Top 10 singer/songwriter albums on iTunes and his fan base continues to grow each day thanks to radio support from more than 40 stations. He was also the subject of a Channel 4 TV documentary, and topped it off with a mammoth tour of over 70 Caffe Nero outlets nationwide.
In the summer of 2012, Sam has shifted to a more soulful sound. His single, ‘This Girl’ released in August, doffed its cap to classic Motown, blue-eyed soul and general good-time intelligent pop. With over a quarter of a million YouTube views, it seems the general public is loving his slight bend in musical direction. And there’s more to come. Think Otis Redding meets the more ballad-driven strains of Elvis Costello with a dash of the Style Council and you’re getting there.
Born and raised in Hull, Sam grew up playing in bands on Humberside before slowly gravitating across the M62 to Manchester, which remains his base to this day. Whilst in Manchester he was discovered by legendary drummer Steve White (Paul Weller, The Who, Oasis) who became his manager, producer and general overseer. White, along with his team secured Sam a publishing deal with Notting Hill Music and a recording contract with the Transmission Recordings label. He also got Sam in the studio with highly sought after producer, Brendan Lynch (Weller as well as Primal Scream and Ocean Colour Scene).
As well as performing and generally playing a star-in-waiting, Sam is also an accomplished writer having crafted tunes for The Voice and Hollyoaks star Abi Phillips. At the time of writing he is very much a songwriter in demand.
Sam is currently the special guest on Peter Andre’s ‘Up Close and Personal’ tour which began in mid-November and spans over 30 dates nationwide. It is sure to open up Sam to a new audience and cement his reputation as one of the UK’s up and coming premium live acts.
A new single will coincide with the Andre tour with a brand new album, Too Much Of A Good Thing released on 4 February 2013. Like ‘This Girl’, the album has definite echoes of Motown and soul, kicked through with modern textures and a contemporary feel. It is set to be one of the defining releases of next year’s first quarter.
For more information on Sam Gray please contact Toby Opperman at Transmission Recordings on 0207 243 2921 or toby@transmissionrecordings.com
Brighter Day
Sam Gray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the only way.
I cool my heart,
Down in the shade.
And who are you
Who are you
To get in my way
You say 'hi'
Or half the words you say.
Whatever you do
To bring me down, down, down,
I don't need it.
I'm already blue
So much I'll settle back down
To where you came.
I'll wave you off on your aeroplane
And sing.
Goodbye to the games that you wanted
So long cause they don't stop coming
I don't need you like I think I do
So I'll be on my way.
Hello to the new-found season
Your friends have a damn-good reason
To sit myself back on the shelf
And hide myself away
For a brighter day
-for a brighter day-
Took a walk
To the dock
By the old town hall
These people make me feel so small
Give a wave to the people that pass you by
They wave back but they don't really mean it
I wonder why they try to try
Whatever you do
To bring me down, down, down,
I don't need it.
I'm already blue
So much I'll settle back down
To where you came
I'll wave goodbye on your aeroplane
And sing.
Goodbye to the games that you wanted
So long cause they don't stop coming
I don't need you like I think I do
So I'll be on my way-ay-ay-ay-ay
Hello to the new-found season
Your love is a damn-good reason
To sit myself back on the shelf
And hide myself away
For a brighter day
I'm happy to greet ya
But let's not talk like we're the best of friends
I'll take ya or leave ya
I don't care much for how you speak
Or the messages you sing
So I say.
Goodbye
to the games that you wanted
So long
cause they don't stop coming
I don't need you like I think I do
So I'll be on my waaaaaaay!
Hello to the new-found season
Your friends have a damn-good reason
To sit myself back on the shelf
And hide myself away
For a brighter day
Goodbye to the games that you wanted
So long cause they don't stop coming
I don't need you like I think I do
So I'll be on my way-ay-ay-ay-ay
Hello to the new-found season
Your love is a damn-good reason
To sit myself back on the shelf
And hide myself away
For a brighter day
(Sha la
Sha la la la la) x9
The lyrics of Sam Gray’s song “Brighter Day” are about moving on from a toxic relationship and finding a new beginning. The song starts with the lines “Toodleloo Toodleloo, To the only way. I cool my heart, Down in the shade.” The singer is saying goodbye to the person who has caused him pain and is cooling his heart to move on. He then questions the person's intention by singing “Who are you, To get in my way, You say 'hi' but you don't really mean it, Or half the words you say,” showing that he has realized the person’s true intentions.
The chorus of the song highlights the singer's ability to keep moving forward and let go of the past. He sings "Goodbye to the games that you wanted, So long 'cause they don't stop coming, I don't need you like I think I do, So I'll be on my way," indicating that he has grown tired of the games and is moving on. The singer then reflects on the good memories they had together but realizes that it’s time for him to leave. The final chorus ends with the lyrics “Goodbye to the games that you wanted, So long cause they don't stop coming, I don't need you like I think I do, So I'll be on my way-ay-ay-ay-ay, Hello to the new-found season, Your love is a damn-good reason, To sit myself back on the shelf, And hide myself away, For a brighter day.”
Overall, "Brighter Day" is a song of growth and maturity in relationships. It teaches how to let go of toxic individuals who hurt you and find happiness and positivity in new beginnings.
Line by Line Meaning
Toodleloo Toodleloo
Goodbye, farewell
To the only way.
Going towards one specific path
I cool my heart,
Calm myself down
Down in the shade.
In a peaceful and cool place
And who are you
Questioning the identity of the person
Who are you
Reiterating the question
To get in my way
Asking why they are interfering in their life
You say 'hi'
Addressing the greeting made by the person
but you don't really mean it
Doubting the sincerity of the person's greeting
Or half the words you say.
Not trusting anything they say
Whatever you do
Regardless of what happens
To bring me down, down, down,
To make them feel worse and worse
I don't need it.
Not being affected by their actions
I'm already blue
Feeling down and sad already
So much I'll settle back down
Wanting to return to their previous state
To where you came.
To the place where the person first appeared
I'll wave you off on your aeroplane
Saying goodbye to the person and letting them leave
And sing.
Feeling happy and relieved after the person's departure
Goodbye to the games that you wanted
No longer playing the person's games
So long cause they don't stop coming
Saying farewell to their endless, tiring tactics
I don't need you like I think I do
Realizing they don't need the person as much as they thought
So I'll be on my way.
Leaving the person behind
Hello to the new-found season
Welcoming a new start in life
Your friends have a damn-good reason
Acknowledging that the person has someone else in their life
To sit myself back on the shelf
Putting oneself away from the person
And hide myself away
Concealing themselves from others
For a brighter day
Hoping for a better future
Took a walk
Going for a stroll
To the dock
Towards the pier or waterfront
By the old town hall
Next to the old municipal building
These people make me feel so small
Feeling insignificant around others
Give a wave to the people that pass you by
Greeting the strangers that cross their path
They wave back but they don't really mean it
Others give an insincere response
I wonder why they try to try
Questioning the reason for their actions
I'm happy to greet ya
Feeling content to say hello
But let's not talk like we're the best of friends
Setting boundaries in the relationship
I'll take ya or leave ya
Willing to continue or end the relationship
I don't care much for how you speak
Not interested in the person's speaking style
Or the messages you sing
Not paying attention to what they say or sing
Goodbye
Saying farewell
to the games that you wanted
Ending the person's manipulative tactics
So long
Saying goodbye for good
I'll be on my waaaaaaay!
Moving on and leaving the person behind
Your love is a damn-good reason
Acknowledging the person's love
Sha la Sha la la la) x9
Nonsense words to end the song
Contributed by Grayson G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@vhsretrofan
saw sam last night supporting east 17- AWSOME!!!!
@TheNemo1996
This guy deserves more views!! His music is well good - puts you in a good mood :) Little dance about :) True legend :)
@TaiShanProductions
said it on the day sam.. top tune and now with a top top video to go with it. look forward to the album and that drink.... ;-]
@IBrownyI
saw sam supporting "the overtones" well done Sam you did well
@keithylad
YES ALYX PARIS AND DEANO!!!! really upbeat and happy song too...i like it :)
@Shecomesfirst
smashing sam old boy, keep it up!!!
@aruss100
i like this......its up there.
@emmafcarrighan
HOW DOES THIS NOT HAVE MORE VIEWS?!?! i looooooooooooove!! <3
@thecrowncastle
nice going!
@AntonyGray
Absolutely amazing!!!!!!