Kitchen's career of over 45 years as a performing musician gave him a richly-varied musical background. He was involved in a host of musical ventures that included Harry was a Snake (an experimental acoustic outfit), Curry and Rice with guitarist Steve Newman, the seven-piece jazz outfit Equinoxe, Bafo Bafo with zulu maskanda guitarist Madala Kunene, The Aquarian Quartet with fellow aquarians Tony Cox, Steve Newman and Greg Georgiades and of course his own solo career.
Since the 70's, guitarist/ singer/ songwriter SYD KITCHEN was an innovative, active, non-compromising part of the South African musical landscape. He was a highly-acclaimed teacher, thinker and published poet, he performed extensively at Festivals and clubs throughout South Africa, both solo and with various combinations.
He released several critically acclaimed albums; all born of an eclectic, curious spirit unfazed by market-place considerations or the wishes of others.
This eclecticism and freedom of spirit has seen his musical journey traverse the KITCHEN BROTHERS, through EQUINOX, HARRY WAS A SNAKE, THE UTENSILS, THE FLYING SOMBREROS, to his his most recent collaborations in AMAKOOL, the AQUARIAN QUARTET (with Steve Newman, Greg Georgiades and Tony Cox) and BAFO BAFO (with Madala Kunene).
SYD KITCHEN lived in Durban, South Africa, where he taught music while reading for his MA/Ph.D. in Musicology with the University of KwaZulu Natal.
Walking
Syd Kitchen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's like a movie that I re-run in my mind
Something I can turn to
When I'm lost and can't be found
A memory of a time I once knew
And I made it all on my own
I took the pieces that were left lying on the floor
Remain from a time I once knew
Yeah, yeah
And all the while it was make believe with a face at the glass
Warm eyes hid their lies in silence
Fell down and I bumped my knee but I
Got up to dance
With a sound of a million voices in the distance calling
I go walking, yeah
I go walking
Wherever I may go
You'll be there with me in the corner of my heart
Someone I can turn to when I'm lost and torn apart
Memory of a time I once knew
And whoever I may know
You'll be there with me in the softness of her skin
Tattooed on my mind
That hazy state I'm in
Memory of a time I once knew
Yeah, yeah
And all the while it was make believe with a face at the glass
Warm eyes hid their lies in silence
I fell down and bumped my knee but I
Got up to dance
With a sound of a million voices in the distance calling, oh
I go walking, yeah
I go walking
I go walking, oh
I go walking
And it's all clear to me now
It's like a footprint in the history of my life
Something I can turn to when I'm lost and full of strife
Memory of a time I once knew
Yeah, yeah
And I made it all for me
I took the pieces that were left lying on the floor
Gave them wings to fly
And then they took off out the door
Remain from a time I once knew
Yeah, yeah
And all the while it was make believe with a face at the glass
Warm eyes hid their lies in silence
I fell down and bumped my knee but I
Got up to dance
With a sound of a million voices in the distance calling
I go walking
I go walking
Walking
Oh, I go walking
I go walking
I go walking
Oh, I go walking
I go walking, walking
In Syd Kitchen’s song "Walking", he reflects on his past and a memory of a time he once knew. The lyrics suggest a sense of nostalgia and reflection, where he looks back on his life and the trials and tribulations that he has faced. The first verse talks about how he now understands everything because it is like he is watching a movie in his mind. He also refers to the memory as something he can turn to when he is lost and cannot be found.
In the second verse, Kitchen talks about how he put the pieces of his life back together on his own, and kept them hidden away by his door. This implies that he had a difficult time in his life, but he was able to overcome it alone. He also mentions a "make-believe face at the glass" which could symbolize someone who pretended to be there for him but in reality, wasn't, and how he was hurt by their lies.
The chorus is the most impactful part of the song, where he talks about how walking helps him find solace and answers. He emphasizes the presence of a person who is tattooed in his memory whom he can turn to when he is lost and torn apart, referring to someone who is no longer in his life.
Overall, "Walking" is a song about reflection and overcoming struggles. It speaks to the power of memories and the importance of finding solace in past experiences to find strength moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
It's all clear to me now
I finally have understanding of the situation
It's like a movie that I re-run in my mind
The memory is vivid and something that keeps replaying in my head
Something I can turn to
When I'm lost and can't be found
The memory is a source of comfort and solace in times of distress
A memory of a time I once knew
The memory is from a distant past
And I made it all on my own
I accomplished this feat without any external help
I took the pieces that were left lying on the floor
Put them all together and hide them behind my door
I gathered the scattered remnants and brought them together, ready for future use
Yeah, yeah
A simple affirmation
And all the while it was make believe with a face at the glass
Warm eyes hid their lies in silence
The situation was not as it appeared, there were untruths concealed under the surface
Fell down and I bumped my knee but I
Got up to dance
Despite minor setbacks, I am resilient and continue to move forward
With a sound of a million voices in the distance calling
The world outside my memory is chaotic and full of activity
Wherever I may go
You'll be there with me in the corner of my heart
The memory will always stay with me, no matter where life takes me
Someone I can turn to when I'm lost and torn apart
The memory provides a sense of emotional support when things get tough
And whoever I may know
You'll be there with me in the softness of her skin
The memory is intimately connected to specific people
Tattooed on my mind
That hazy state I'm in
The memory is deeply ingrained in my psyche, despite being somewhat unclear
And it's all clear to me now
It's like a footprint in the history of my life
The significance of the memory is now apparent and will remain a part of my personal history
Something I can turn to when I'm lost and full of strife
The memory serves as a source of guidance during difficult times
I fell down and bumped my knee but I
Got up to dance
Minor obstacles will not prevent me from engaging with the world around me
Walking
The act of moving forward, despite any challenges faced
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Desmond Botha
Really the best song I have heard in months. It now sits with me and I keep coming back to it.
Seymour Howe
My absolutely favourite song from Syd. Great song, wonderful Soul.
Neil Coll
I still battle with the very thought that Syd no longer walks among us but his SPIRIT ALWAYS WILL..his songs remind me of what a beautiful world we once knew, and the wonderful pictures he shared with us all through his songs..Thank You Syd🌹🌹💕..
Dr Martin Young
I am so playing this at my next appearance!! This is a song I truly wish I had written myself!
John Knottenbelt
Just plain stunning Syd ! Sending you Durban vibes, to your new & happy place. Keep it Cool in the palm of your hand, now won't you !
Evan Wannerton
SA MUSIC LEGEND..... if we only knew then, what we understand now
keith lomas
Nice one!
matthew taljaard
this was my grandfather syd kitchen his daughters name is sev kitchen witc is my mom i was 2 when he died but when i play this song it feels like he is next to me
Snugl Macleod
So Cool Syd...
Safari Magic
remember sitting in that chair to his left for guitar lessons!