"...an artist of such raw talent, ambition and good will... Phillips' main attraction is still his voice. Reedy and flexible, with a remarkable falsetto, it is a potent dramatic instrument. " that's what Rolling Stone Magazine had to say about Shawn Phillips, a musician whose work literally fits into no category.
Shawn Phillips has almost twenty albums to his credit (of which millions have been sold) and a host of associations with some of the most respected names in the industry including Donovan, Paul Buckmaster, J Peter Robinson, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood and many others, yet he is virtually forgotten except by his cadre of loyal fans. The Texas-born singer/songwriter was called "The best kept secret in the music business," by the late rock impresario Bill Graham.
Beginning in the 1960s, Phillips made noteworthy contributions to popular music. He performed at the "Isle of Wight" festival and was cast to play the lead in the original production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" (he had to withdraw due to his heavy recording and touring schedule.)
Throughout the 60s Phillips worked the folk music scene in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury, New York's Greenwich Village, and London. In 1967 Phillips moved to Positano, Italy, where he remained throughout the 1970s, writing some of his most well known work. This period produced the albums 'Contribution', 'Second Contribution', 'Collaboration' and 'Faces".
Four of his albums "Faces," "Bright White," "Furthermore" and "Do You Wonder" made it into the Billboard Top 100. In addition, the singles, "Lost Horizon," "We" and "Woman" made Billboard's top 40. One of the most sought after Christmas songs is Phillips' 1970 45rpm release of "A Christmas Song" on A&M 1238. The track is now available on the re-issue of Faces.
His latest album, 'No Category' featuring his longtime collaborators Paul Buckmaster and Peter Robinson was released in 2002.
Today Shawn lives in Port Elizabeth, South Africa dividing his time between writing, touring, and his work as an emergency medical technician (EMT) and firefighter.
Official Shawn Phillips website : www.shawnphillips.com
Shawn Phillips Merchandise can be purchased here: http://www.zazzle.com/shawnphillips_emh
Armed
Shawn Phillips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Armed with the thought of being God
I respectfully decline
There wasn't really very much money
And the work was awful hard
But we'll get by
By the skin of our teeth
Well now here we go
We're still on bloody trial
Filled with the scent of lilac gold
And wandering bazaars
Brought with love and simple chores
From hoping lands afar
Sent with characteristic joy
A value that is lost, embossed
While we sit here
They are still
Alive and teeming, millions
Struggling for the right to life
In desert homes of drifting sand
Or darkly gleaming light
Out in space
No mouths to feed
Just searching questing minds
They find
While they're finding
They are coldly kind
The lyrics of Shawn Phillips's song "Armed" convey a sense of humility and self-awareness amidst a backdrop of societal and environmental turmoil. The opening lines reveal a sobering reflection on the delusion of godhood, as the singer acknowledges the limitations of his own power and the futility of attempting to control the world around him. Despite this realization, however, he remains resolute and determined to persevere, even if it means scraping by "by the skin of our teeth." This sense of determination in the face of adversity is echoed in the later lines, which describe the struggles and hardships of people around the world who are fighting for their own survival.
The subsequent stanzas of the song paint a vivid picture of a world both complex and interconnected, where the perfumes of exotic lands mingle with the harsh realities of poverty and conflict. Yet even in the midst of chaos and strife, Phillips suggests that there is still beauty and love to be found, if only one is willing to look for it. The final lines of the song hint at the possibility of a brighter future, where people are united not by greed or hunger but by a shared sense of curiosity and wonder. In this new world, there are no borders or boundaries, only the limitless expanse of the universe and the infinite potential of the human spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
Armed with the thought of being God
With an overwhelming feeling of omnipotence
I respectfully decline
Declining to accept or embrace this godlike feeling
There wasn't really very much money
There was very little financial reward
And the work was awful hard
The labor was intense and challenging
But we'll get by
Despite the difficulties, we will survive
By the skin of our teeth
Barely scraping by, just barely hanging on
If we look at my denial
Taking a closer look at my lack of acceptance
Well now here we go
Moving forward, despite the challenges
We're still on bloody trial
We are still being judged or tested
Filled with the scent of lilac gold
Overflowing with the fragrance of precious luxury
And wandering bazaars
Traveling through markets and shops
Brought with love and simple chores
Delivered with both affection and basic tasks
From hoping lands afar
From very distant and optimistic places
Sent with characteristic joy
Delighted and gleeful, as is customary
A value that is lost, embossed
A treasured quality that has faded but remains intricate
While we sit here
As we remain motionless and stagnant
They are still alive and teeming, millions
Billions of people continue to thrive and prosper
Struggling for the right to life
Fighting for the basic right to exist
In desert homes of drifting sand
Living in arid environments where sand constantly blows around
Or darkly gleaming light
In shrouded areas, where there are shadows but also shining beams
Out in space
In the vast emptiness beyond our planet
No mouths to feed
Without needs for sustenance
Just searching questing minds
Only curious, inquisitive brains
They find
They discover new things and ideas
While they're finding
As they make their discoveries
They are coldly kind
They may not be emotionally expressive, but they do help us understand the universe
Contributed by Victoria V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.