Originally coming to fame in the mid-1960s singing orchestral pop ballads as the frontman of The Walker Brothers, Walker went on to a solo career balancing a light entertainment/MOR ballad approach with increasing artistic innovations in arrangement and writing. Despite a series of acclaimed albums, a disastrous drop in sales forced him back into straight Middle of the road recordings with little of his own artistic input. This in turn eventually led to a Walker Brothers reunion in the mid-1970s (although the latter eventually moved, by mutual consent, into more avant-garde areas).
From the mid-1980s, Walker revived his solo career while drastically reinventing his artistic and compositional methods, via a series of acclaimed and vividly avant-garde albums. These combined his iconic voice with an unsettling avant-garde approach which owed more to modernist and post-modernist classical composition than to his pop singer past. This change in approach has been compared to "Andy Williams reinventing himself as Stockhausen".
Walker has been a continuing influence on other artists, in particular The Last Shadow Puppets, Marc Almond, Goldfrapp, Douglas Pearce of the band Death in June, Billy MacKenzie of The Associates, David Sylvian, Julian Cope, Antony Hegarty, Thom Yorke, Steven Wilson, David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, Trey Spruance, Perry Blake, Radiohead, Noah Lennox, Mikael Åkerfeldt, and the Divine Comedy/Neil Hannon.
Walker continued to release solo material until his death, and was signed to 4AD Records. As a record producer or guest performer he worked with a number of artists including Pulp, Ute Lemper, Bat For Lashes and Sunn O))).
Speak softly Love
Scott Walker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I feel your words, the tender trembling moments start
We're in a world, our very own
Sharing a love that only few have ever known
Wine coloured days, warmed by the sun
Deep velvet nights, when we are one
The vows of love we make will live until we die
My life is yours and all because
You came into my world with love
So softly love
Wine coloured days, warmed by the sun
Deep velvet nights, when we are one
Speak softly love, so no-one hears us but the sky
The vows of love we make will live until we die
My life is yours and all because
You came into my world with love
So softly
Love...
The song "Speak Softly Love" by Scott Walker is a beautiful love song that conveys deep feelings of love, tenderness, and intimacy. The song begins by inviting the loved one to speak softly, to hold the singer warm against their heart, and to express their feelings. The words of the loved one are felt by the singer in tender, trembling moments. The song goes on to describe a world that is only meant for the lovers, a world where they share a love that only a few have ever known. The deep love that they share is expressed in the beautiful imagery of wine-coloured days warmed by the sun and deep velvet nights, where they become one.
The second verse of the song continues with the idea of speaking softly, so no one else can hear them but the sky. The vows of love that they make to each other are so strong that they will live until they die. The singer tells the loved one that their life is now theirs, all because they came into the singer's world with love. The song ends with a repetition of the last two verses and a sweet, gentle "So softly love".
The song speaks to the deep desire for intimacy and connection that most people feel at some point in their lives. It is a beautiful reminder that love can be cherished in soft, tender moments that are filled with warmth and deep emotion. The song's beautiful imagery captures the imagination and draws the listener into the world that the lovers share, where only they exist and where their love is the only thing that matters.
Line by Line Meaning
Speak softly love, and hold me warm against your heart
Whisper your affectionate words to me and hug me close to your chest, showing your love and care for me.
I feel your words, the tender trembling moments start
I can feel the sincerity in your words, creating an emotional response within me as I am moved by your love.
We're in a world, our very own
We exist in a unique space where our feelings for each other are all that matter, creating a special world exclusively for us.
Sharing a love that only few have ever known
Our affection is exceptional, rare and not experienced by most people, which makes our bond special and extraordinary.
Wine coloured days, warmed by the sun
Our happy and contented days feel like ripe, rich and full-bodied wine, basking in the warmth of the sun.
Deep velvet nights, when we are one
Our nights together are deep and comfortable, creating an atmosphere of intimacy, togetherness, and closeness.
Speak softly love, so no-one hears us but the sky
Lower your voice to a whisper so that only the vast, open sky above us can hear our words of love.
The vows of love we make will live until we die
We exchange heartfelt and lifelong promises of love to each other that will only end when we inevitably pass on.
My life is yours and all because
You have become my everything, my whole world and my entire existence since you came into my life and filled it with love.
You came into my world with love
Your love has transformed and enriched my life in ways I cannot fully express.
So softly love
Speak your tender love to me in a soft tone, allowing your affectionate words and actions to speak for you.
Contributed by Zoe P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
A
[Verse 1]
Speak softly, love, and hold me warm against your heart
I feel your words, the tender, trembling moments start
We're in a world our very own
Sharing a love that only few have ever known
[Chorus]
Wine-colored days, warmed by the sun
Deep velvet nights, when we are one
[Verse 2]
Speak softly, love, so no one hears us but the sky
The vows of love we make will live until we die
My life is yours and all because
You came into my world with love
So softly, love
[Chorus]
Wine-colored days, warmed by the sun
Deep velvet nights, when we are one
[Verse 3]
Speak softly, love, so no one hears us but the sky
The vows of love we make will live until we die
My life is yours and all because
You came into my world with love
So softly
Love
Colm Flanagan
Scott has a darkness in his voice that prevents even the most sentimental of songs from sounding saccharine.
Guida Pinhão
I wish I could like your comment a million times.
Elaine Smith
He takes me to a place where no-one else exists. My sacred island so to speak. 🤗❤
Hugh Wynn
Just discovered this song and anything he did it does not disappoint. Most people are unaware of Scott on this side of the pond and that is unfortunate.
Mattis100
Masterpiece!!!
oknu
I cannot get this haunting song out of my mind. I wish I could have felt "this" once in my life.
Heather Moffett
A Scott fan since, aged 12, I first heard him with the Walker Brothers, and was entranced. I can still remember where I was at that moment!!
SINGSTRESS100
In reply to Linda Jane Manser - having read a few of his biographies, I would say that Scott was never "passed over" He himself declined the record companies' ambitions to make him the next Sinatra, was appalled at the idea of being seen as a crooner, and followed his own musical inclinations. This involved his rejection of pop superstardom
jan halligan
his voice is like no other l wished he had appreciated it loved his voice x
Christine Thornhill 🕊
Beautiful Song , Wonderful Singer 💝👌🏼