After completing a high-school education at the Stockholm music school Södra Latin, Swedish producer Peter Cartriers heard of Stephens talent in 1995 and invited him to his studio in Stockholm where they made a demo that first attracted the attention of a Swedish indie label and then secured a record deal with the UK major label Parlophone/EMI Music as well as Priority Records in the US. Stephen wrote and Peter produced Stephens first critically acclaimed and 5 times Grammy nominated album "Alone" (the album was re-mixed and re-named "Spirit Tales" for his UK and US release) and Stephen Simmonds had his breakthrough in 1997 with the hit "Tears Never Dry" a duet with Swedish superstar Lisa Nilsson that quickly became the most played track on radio that year.
Since then his talent has brought him to the US and the UK where he has collaborated with renowned artists such as Raphael Saadiq, Masters At Work and Mica Paris. His US release "Spirit Tales" was highly recommended by Prince and the New Power Generation on their official website.
He has performed for Stevie Wonder and Amnesty and he is the only Swedish artist who has been reviewed in the Quincy Jones founded Soul and R&B bible Vibe Magazine.
Stephen is now 31 years of age and for the release of his third album "This Must Be Ground" he has started his own label For Father Recordings and through a leading distributor got the album out in Scandinavia during 2004/early 2005.
"This Must Be Ground" is a strong album lyrically and musically. With songs such as "Goodwill", "Mother Mary" and "Killing & Religion" the goal was to blend Stephens strong world conscious lyrics and music with creative and genre transcending production by Sweden's finest.
To achieve this Stephen has worked with the young, up and coming Swedish producer Alex Papakonstantinou as well as childhood friend Arnthor Birgisson ( Alongside Max Martin and Rami he is one of Sweden's and the worlds top producers and he has worked with Westlife, J Lo, Celine Dion and Ricky Martin among others.)
"This Must Be Ground" is an album unique with its blend of daringly personal ballads and furiously dance driven up tempo tracks.
For Father
Stephen Simmonds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
keeping me here in my bed
From now on to the end of time,
they're prisoners in my mind
Lord I'm so tired I walk in the dark
I sing the sadest song, cos here I'm nothing
Lord I'm so tired, Lord I'm so lost
I know you feel like you don't belong,
When all that you had is gone
I know you think that you're all alone,
but that does'nt make it so
It feels like nothing matters at all anymore
I escape but can't ignore
I've never been hurt like this before
You're a part of who I am
It's so clear now I understand
Words unsaid and things undone,
An ending when you just begun
It feels like nothing matters at all any more,
It's like nothing matters at all
And I'm tired of holding on
Being right, being wrong
It's like nothing matters at all any more,
It's like nothing matters at all
In Stephen Simmonds's song For Father, the lyrics express a deep sense of loss, regret, and longing for closure. The opening lines, "Words I thought but never said, keeping me here in my bed, from now on to the end of time, they're prisoners in my mind," emphasize the importance of speaking one's mind before it's too late, and the burden of unexpressed thoughts and words. The following lines, "Lord I'm so tired I walk in the dark, I sing the saddest song, cos here I'm nothing," show the singer's emotional fatigue and isolation, as if he feels powerless against the overwhelming pain of grief.
The second verse of the song shifts to address the listener, "I know you feel like you don't belong, when all that you had is gone, I know you think that you're all alone, but that doesn't make it so." Here, Simmonds encourages the listener to find solace in the fact that they are not alone, that others have experienced the same pain, and that it is possible to move past the feeling of isolation. The repeated phrase "It feels like nothing matters at all any more," emphasizes the depth of despair, and the chorus "And I'm tired of holding on, being right, being wrong," suggests a desire to move on and seek closure.
Overall, the song delivers a poignant message about the importance of expressing oneself and coming to terms with loss. The lyrics are emotive and relatable, and the soulful melody enhances the emotional weight of the words.
Line by Line Meaning
Words I thought but never said, keeping me here in my bed
Unspoken thoughts are consuming me and keeping me confined to my bed
From now on to the end of time, they're prisoners in my mind
These thoughts will forever haunt me and hold me captive in my mind
Lord I'm so tired I walk in the dark, I sing the sadest song, cos here I'm nothing
I am exhausted and lost, wandering aimlessly in the darkness while feeling completely worthless
Lord I'm so tired, Lord I'm so lost, Let me go beyond, cos here I'm nothing
I am begging to escape this feeling of being lost and to find something more meaningful beyond my current state of worthlessness
I know you feel like you don't belong, When all that you had is gone
I understand the emptiness you feel when you have lost everything and feel like you no longer fit in
I know you think that you're all alone, but that does'nt make it so
Although you may feel like you are isolated and alone, that is not necessarily the reality
It feels like nothing matters at all anymore
Everything seems insignificant and unimportant
I escape but can't ignore, I've never been hurt like this before
I try to run from my emotions, but the pain is too intense to ignore
You're a part of who I am, It's so clear now I understand
You have played a significant role in shaping who I am, and I now realize that importance
Words unsaid and things undone, An ending when you just begun
Regret for things left unsaid and unfinished, and for the loss of potential when something ends prematurely
It's like nothing matters at all any more, It's like nothing matters at all
The feeling of insignificance and meaninglessness persists
And I'm tired of holding on, Being right, being wrong
I am exhausted from constantly trying to hold on and assert my correctness, regardless of the outcome
It's like nothing matters at all any more, It's like nothing matters at all
The emptiness and meaninglessness still prevails
Writer(s): Percy Grainger
Contributed by Camden N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@igortarabukin
I don't know how old this song, just find it one day ago and falken on love this guy and his song. Can not say in english better than people said already, i'm in shock with that tender and love. Very nice song. Will check his other songs. He is so good. Bravo.
@kotbegemot1945
Если бы я только мог пожать вам руку, за появление этого произведения. Русские слушают.
@user-sv9cl1np6u
Подтверждаю!)
@jbmoore4436
Simmonds is a special talent. His brand of music is rare in the United states and has been for a long time now. He's a bit like a mix of Eric Benet and a less mainstream John Legend.
I miss music with this level of depth....greatness...
@YellowZadu1
Everything about this pop ballad is gold! Outstanding vocals, both by Stephen and his beautiful female vocalist, the melody and production is so delicate and rich. So emotional and well written lyrics. Just sublime! And he has many great songs like this, and not just pretty dark ballads.
@arjanrienkomuggen6427
Wish you were still making songs stephen....
@user-qt2cn8yb4q
Невероятная, нежная музыка.. Спасибо
@filiberfifify
Une des plus belles chansons que j'ai pu écouter 🙏
@igorpankin
Так актуально и в тему спустя 10 лет… 👍
@user-sv9cl1np6u
А мне девушка очень нравится, аж замираю , когда она поёт!)