As a teenager, he met local musician Ashley Hutchings. They – with others – formed Fairport Convention, taking the name from Simon's house 'Fairport' where the band rehearsed.
Fairport Convention became hugely successful after vocalist Sandy Denny joined the band. However, after Sandy left Simon found himself taking a more prominent role on stage. He also became more involved in studio work and production.
During the 1970s, Simon took a four-year break from Fairport (supposedly he couldn't face playing "Sloth" anymore) working on various projects as both producer and musician, collaborating with Dave Swarbrick and The Albion Country Band among others.
Simon rejoined Fairport in 1975 and has been the band's main guitarist and lead singer ever since. However, he has continued to work with other musicians including Dave Swarbrick, Ashley Hutchings, Richard Thompson etc and has toured with, among others, Beverley Craven and Art Garfunkel. Simon has also released two solo albums which were fairly recently reissued as a double set.
Material from both of these albums has often been played live with Fairport Convention or Fairport Acoustic Convention with both "Rosemary's Sister" and especially "The Deserter" being strong favourites.
Simon is still very active both in these bands and also tours with the Albion Christmas Band each year.
I am
Simon Nicol Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everything you want to know
Long enough to be alive.
How could it be expected
To feel the way you do? Yaa~
I feel like I'm fading!
Farther away from you
How could it be expected
[Chorus:]
You are, the potter, I'm the clay.
You are, the only way.
I am, your child today.
I am your servant, won't you teach me how to pray?
[Verse 2:]
How many things I've spoken,
How many things I've done,
But all the things that have come my way...
Have led me to be broken! Yaa~
Well who said life is fair?
But why was I chosen,
To be the thorn on all the roses?
I don't deserve this kind of life.
[Chorus:]
[Verse 3:]
Yeah Life is crime, but to fight is sin.
Life is dust, you never win.
Life is crime, but to fight is sin.
Lif is dust, you never win.
YOu never winnnnnnnnnn! yea!!
Oooooohh oh oh
You never winnnn yea>
You could never win.
Oh, you could never win.
[Chorus:]
The song "I am" by Simon Nicol is a contemplative and introspective piece that explores the complexities of life and the struggle to find one's place in the world. The lyrics begin with the acknowledgment that life is a journey of discovery that takes time to fully comprehend. The singer questions why it is so difficult to feel content and satisfied with life, admitting that they feel as if they are fading away from something that they cannot quite grasp. The chorus introduces the idea of the singer being the clay and God being the potter who shapes them, emphasizing the need for guidance and instruction in order to find peace and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything you want to know
There is so much to learn and experience in life and it's impossible to grasp it all.
Long enough to be alive.
Life is both fleeting and enduring, and it is a privilege to have it.
How could it be expected
To feel the way you do? Yaa~
It's difficult to deal with emotions and feelings, especially when they are unpleasant or overwhelming.
I feel like I'm fading!
Farther away from you
As time passes, it's natural to feel disconnected from people or things you once cherished.
How could it be expected
To remember all the good things, the good things, the good things that you've done?
It's easy to forget the good things in life amidst the struggles and hardships.
You are, the potter, I'm the clay.
You are, the only way.
I am, your child today.
I am your servant, won't you teach me how to pray?
God is the creator of all and the only one who can guide us on our path in life. We are his children and should seek his guidance and wisdom.
How many things I've spoken,
How many things I've done,
But all the things that have come my way...
Have led me to be broken! Yaa~
The words and actions we take can have unintended consequences that can bring us pain and suffering.
Well who said life is fair?
But why was I chosen,
To be the thorn on all the roses?
I don't deserve this kind of life.
Life can be unfair and difficult, and it's natural to question why certain hardships have come our way.
Yeah Life is crime, but to fight is sin.
Life is dust, you never win.
Life is crime, but to fight is sin.
Lif is dust, you never win.
YOu never winnnnnnnnnn! yea!!
Oooooohh oh oh
You never winnnn yea>
You could never win.
Life is full of struggles and fighting is often futile. Despite our efforts, we will always face defeat in some capacity.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KIMBERLEY KENNETH BENZIE, STEWART ALEXANDER HILL, LUKE WILLIAMS, CLINTON JAMES VINCENT, TOM SKERLJ, LUKE PALMER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind