The Idle Race were a rock group from Birmingham, England in the late 1960s.… Read Full Bio ↴The Idle Race were a rock group from Birmingham, England in the late 1960s. They are best known for the material released while Jeff Lynne was a member.

Rhythm guitarist Dave Pritchard, bass guitarist Greg Masters and drummer Roger Spencer were the core of a band initally known as Billy King and the Nightriders, then later known as Mike Sheridan and the Nightriders and briefly as just The Nightriders.

In 1966 they advertised for a new guitarist/vocalist, Jeff Lynne applied and joined the band. After releasing one single they changed their name to Idle Race. Under Jeff Lynne's leadership they released two albums that sold poorly, despite support from John Peel and Kenny Everett.

In 1970, Jeff Lynne decided to join The Move so he and Roy Wood could work on what would eventually become Electric Light Orchestra

The remaining members of The Idle Race recruited 2 new members and released one further album. After Greg Masters left the group they became The Steve Gibbons Band.

I Will See You
The Idle Race Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When the flowers still bloom in the winter
And the rain doesn't rain anymore

When the grades of tree becomes a splinter
And the ship leaves the captain on the shore

I will see you
I will see you

I will, I will see you
I will see you

When the fish don't swim in the ocean
But soar with wings up in the sky
When the light glows dark on the mountain
Then and only then will I

I will see you
I will see you
I will, I will see you
I will see you
I will see you

I will see you
I will see you
I will, I will see you
I will see you

When words that are spoken have no meaning
To be wasted on a paper that is plain
When dawn birds are singing in the evening
Maybe then I will return

I will see you
I will see you
I will, I will see you
I will see you

I will, I will see you
I will see you

Overall Meaning

The Idle Race's song "I Will See You" is an enigmatic piece of art that opens up a lot of possibilities for interpretation. The lyrics seem to talk about a time when everything is out of balance, and nature no longer behaves in the way we expect it to. When flowers are in bloom in winter and rain no longer falls, it is a sign that something is wrong. However, the lyrics seem to suggest that this is also the time when the singer will see someone they have been longing to see.

The lyrics also talk about fish soaring in the sky and trees becoming splinters. This imagery suggests that the world has turned upside down and the natural order of things has been disrupted. However, the singer still holds on to the hope that they will see this person they long to see during this chaotic time.

The lyrics also mention words that have no meaning and birds that sing at the wrong time of day. This suggests that not only has the world been disrupted, but communication and understanding have also broken down.

Overall, the song seems to talk about a time when everything is out of balance, and the things we expect to happen are not happening. Despite this, the singer still holds on to the hope that they will be reunited with someone they care about.

Line by Line Meaning

When the flowers still bloom in the winter
I will see you when impossible things come true, such as flowers blooming in winter.

And the rain doesn't rain anymore
I will see you when something that was a constant no longer is. In this case, rain ceases to exist.

When the grades of tree becomes a splinter
I will see you when something large and sturdy, such as a tree, becomes small and fragile like a splinter.

And the ship leaves the captain on the shore
I will see you when the roles of power are reversed, such as a captain being left behind by their own ship.

When the fish don't swim in the ocean
I will see you when the natural order of things is disrupted, such as fish swimming in the sky instead of the ocean.

But soar with wings up in the sky
I will see you when something unexpected and impossible happens, such as fish having the ability to fly.

When the light glows dark on the mountain
I will see you when something that is usually bright and illuminating, such as a mountain, becomes dark and shadowy.

Then and only then will I
I will only see you under these specific and unexpected circumstances.

When words that are spoken have no meaning
I will see you when communication breaks down and words lose their significance, becoming meaningless.

To be wasted on a paper that is plain
I will see you when trying to express oneself seems futile and meaningless, such as writing on a blank and unresponsive piece of paper.

When dawn birds are singing in the evening
I will see you when the natural order of things is once again reversed, such as birds singing at a time of day they typically do not.

Maybe then I will return
Under the aforementioned circumstances, there is a possibility that I will return and see you again.

I will, I will see you
I am determined to see you under these unusual and unexpected circumstances.

I will see you
No matter what the circumstance, I will find a way to see you.

Contributed by Nolan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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