In the late 1990s Callier began his comeback to recorded music, contributing to Beth Orton's Best Bit EP in 1997 and releasing the album Timepeace in 1998, which won the United Nations' Time For Peace award for outstanding artistic achievement contributing to world peace. His colleagues at the University of Chicago never learned of Callier's life as a musician, but after the award the news of his secret life became widely known and subsequently led to his firing.[3][9]
As well as touring internationally, Callier continued his recording career, releasing five albums since Timepeace, including Lifetime (1999), Alive (2001), Speak Your Peace (2002) and Lookin' Out (2004). May 2009 saw his album Hidden Conversations featuring Massive Attack released on Mr Bongo records.[7][9] In 2001, Callier performed "Satin Doll" for the Red Hot Organization's compilation album Red Hot + Indigo, a tribute to Duke Ellington, which raised money for various charities devoted to increasing AIDS awareness and fighting the disease. Callier died on October 27, 2012, after a long illness.
Midnite Mile
Terry Callier Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a road without a wheel
Like a sun without the morning
People, that's the way I feel
But I'll be going home in style
Traveling one more midnight mile, yeah
Where man must walk alone
That was the home of Muddy Waters
And they called him Daddy Rolling Stone, yeah
They said the road is such a trial
Traveling one more midnight mile, yeah
Now heaven help the people
Who's scufflin' day by day
All they need is to find a hero
Who can help show them the way
And maybe he'll be here after awhile
Traveling one more midnight mile
I looked into the heart of darkness
The reflection burnt my soul
I had to try to find a healer
And her love has made me whole
She had me crying like a child
Traveling one more midnight mile, yeah
Terry Callier's song "Midnite Mile" is a powerful and emotive ballad about feeling lost and disconnected from the world. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person who feels like they are adrift, without direction or purpose. The opening lines of the song - "Like a ship without the ocean, like a road without a wheel, like a sun without the morning" - provide a stark metaphor for the feeling of being unmoored and without a sense of place or belonging. The singer of the song is searching for a connection, for a way to feel grounded and reconnected with the world.
The second verse of the song references the blues musician Muddy Waters, whose music captured the feeling of a people who were struggling to find their place in the world. The reference to Waters serves as a reminder that this feeling of being lost and disconnected is not unique to the singer of the song. Many people, throughout history and across different cultures, have experienced this feeling of being cut off from the world around them. The lyrics suggest that the singer wants to find a place where he can be alone - where he can be himself without the distractions and pressures of the world.
The final verse of the song offers a glimmer of hope. The singer suggests that what people need is a hero - someone who can show them the way forward. This hero could be anyone, but the implication is that they will be able to help people find their way out of the darkness and into the light. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer suggesting that love has the power to heal and reconnect us with the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Like a ship without the ocean
Feeling incomplete and directionless without something fundamental to hold onto
Like a road without a wheel
Feeling helpless and stalled without the right tools to move forward
Like a sun without the morning
Feeling alone and dark without the warmth and light of companionship
People, that's the way I feel
Sharing a universal experience of isolation and longing
But I'll be going home in style
Looking forward to the end goal and celebrating the journey along the way
Traveling one more midnight mile, yeah
Embracing the struggles and setbacks as part of the process of moving forward
I want a cold home or county
Seeking a place of challenge and isolation to test oneself
Where man must walk alone
Craving a sense of independence and self-sufficiency
That was the home of Muddy Waters
Finding inspiration in the legacy of blues and musical freedom
And they called him Daddy Rolling Stone, yeah
Recognizing the power and influence of those who came before
They said the road is such a trial
Acknowledging the hardships and challenges that come with pursuing one's dreams
Now heaven help the people
Feeling a sense of compassion and responsibility for those who are struggling
Who's scufflin' day by day
Recognizing the everyday difficulties that many people face
All they need is to find a hero
Believing that a single person can make a positive impact
Who can help show them the way
Feeling an obligation to help others find their path forward
And maybe he'll be here after awhile
Hoping that someone will step up and take on the role of a hero
I looked into the heart of darkness
Facing one's own fears and doubts head-on
The reflection burnt my soul
Feeling raw and exposed after confronting difficult truths
I had to try to find a healer
Seeking out a source of renewal and rejuvenation
And her love has made me whole
Finding redemption and wholeness through a loving relationship
She had me crying like a child
Experiencing vulnerability and emotional release
Traveling one more midnight mile, yeah
Continuing to move forward, even when the path is difficult or uncertain
Contributed by Dominic G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Geralette Magruder
I love love love this. I’ve been a Terry Callier fan a long time!
huby one
EXCELLENT GOOD MUSIC