Slowtide is the artist name of singer/songwriter, producer and multi-instru… Read Full Bio ↴Slowtide is the artist name of singer/songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Kevin Werdelmann from Bochum, Germany.

Inspired by the music of Vince Clarke (Depeche Mode, Erasure) and Jean Michel Jarre, Kevin started out at an early age composing songs and electronic music on a Commodore Amiga 500 home computer for various self-made films. His first public output arrived in 1997 with the electronic concept-album "London", on which he channeled the impressions of his impactful first visit to the British metropolis. The limited run CD-R already received an enthusiastic review from the electronic music e-zine E-lectric.

Beyond his electronic roots, his love for guitar-driven music from British bands like The Verve, Radiohead and Travis and songwriters like Nick Drake and Brian Wilson eventually lead him to pick up a guitar and become a self-taught multi-instrumentalist and singer, which resulted in the release of two Demo EPs called “Time Escape” (2001) and “Things That Fade” (2002). With the development of Slowtide as his artist name in 2002, he combined the best of both worlds, creating eclectic indie-pop music. Since then, he played live with internationally renown bands like British Sea Power, Gravenhurst, Eskobar, Treetop Flyers or The Wave Pictures among others.

The official debut album "Origins", nearly completely recorded in a bedroom, was released in January 2009 on Marchpane Records to wide critical acclaim, including album of the month awards.

August 2012 saw the release of the second Slowtide album “Solaria” (Timezone Records), an ambitious bright-shining chamber-pop record with lush string and brass arrangements and contrasting bitter lyrics about disappointed yearnings and missed opportunities.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, his early work “London” was rereleased digitally to a wider audience in November 2017.

A third album called "A Gentle Reminder" (Timezone Records) followed in November 2018, on which Kevin took a look back and breathed new life into the raw demo fragments of “Time Escape” and “Things That Fade”. The rearranged and newly recorded studio versions represent a reinterpretation of youthful ideas from a mature perspective.

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Slowtide Lyrics

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I walk the world starry-eyed
wherever my feet may take me
I've seen the darkness and the light
couldn't say where I'd rather be

Now look at me trembling
paralysed, everything set to stand-by
when you walk in I'm unorganised

and you know why

And it seems that I have lost myself
and you make me feel like someone else
and if I'd be in league to fit your class
I'd thank you for the time
but I know that I'll forever stand in line

That perfect grace, and your style
compares to noone and nothing
you make a day last for just a while
oh what a thrill to be near

Am I going crazy by your sight?
what keeps my pulse rush so fast?
wish I could stand once in your light
would you see me?

And it seems that I have lost myself
and you make me feel like someone else
and if I'd be in league to fit your class

I'd thank you for the time
but I know that I'll forever stand in line

Overall Meaning

The opening lines "I walk the world starry-eyed, wherever my feet may take me" suggest the feeling of novelty and excitement that comes with experiencing the world from a fresh perspective. The singer seems open-minded and eager to take in all that life has to offer, as they mention having seen both the darkness and the light. However, the tone of the lyrics shift in the next verse as the singer becomes overwhelmed and vulnerable in the presence of someone they admire. The line "when you walk in I'm unorganised, and you know why" conveys a sense of powerlessness as the singer feels they cannot control their reaction to this person. The chorus further emphasizes the singer’s feeling of being out of their depth, as they feel as though they have become someone else in order to fit the expectations of this individual. The final lines "but I know that I'll forever stand in line" suggests the singer's acceptance of their position as a lesser figure in the eyes of the person they are referencing in the song.

In the second verse, the singer’s admiration and infatuation with this person becomes more explicit. The description of this individual's "perfect grace, and your style" highlights their exceptional qualities, which the singer seems to idealize. The line "you make a day last for just a while, oh what a thrill to be near" conveys the sense of excitement and adventure that the singer feels when they are around this person. However, the singer's admiration is complicated by their own uncertainty and anxiety, as they wonder if they are "going crazy" and why their pulse is racing in the presence of this individual. The lyrics culminate in the final chorus, which repeats the sentiment that the singer feels out of their depth and unworthy of this person’s attention.

Line by Line Meaning

I walk the world starry-eyed
I walk through life with hope and optimism

wherever my feet may take me
I'm open to new experiences and adventures

I've seen the darkness and the light
I've experienced good and bad times in life

couldn't say where I'd rather be
I'm content with wherever I am in the present moment

Now look at me trembling
I'm nervous and scared

paralysed, everything set to stand-by
I'm frozen and unable to think or act

when you walk in I'm unorganised
I become disoriented and flustered when you're around

and you know why
You have power over me and I can't hide it

And it seems that I have lost myself
I feel like I've lost my sense of self

and you make me feel like someone else
You transform me into a different person

and if I'd be in league to fit your class
If I could measure up to your standards