Tim Hutton is a UK producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist (guitarist, … Read Full Bio ↴Tim Hutton is a UK producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist (guitarist, bassist, drummer, and also classically trained as a brass and piano player).

His musical career began in the early 80’s playing drums and bass for two bands, The Mob and Zounds, on the anarchist punk label Crass Records, and touring Europe and UK several times over.

A burgeoning fascination for funk led to him striking out on his own, which led to signing to EMI and recording an album as The Neighbourhood, which was a seven piece band (including Dexy’s original horn section) he subsequently put together. More touring followed, and a spot featuring as a singer on Afrika Bambaataa’s album The Light.

Two more solo albums followed, and stints working with the Horny Horns, Lee Perry and reggae singer Bob Andy amongst others, before the Acid House boom took him, along with many others, in a different musical direction.

What followed was several albums, twelves and ep’s, under various guises on labels such as Reflex, Germany’s Source and San Francisco’s Reflective. This was purely electronic music, with no involvement of any instrumental playing or singing; as a long time singer and player of guitar, bass, drums, brass and keyboards, this was a period of stripping back, influenced by the “faceless techno bollocks” represented by artists and labels such as Aphex Twin and Basic Channel.

It was followed after a while by two albums of more pronounced musicality welded to the electronic and dance music values he had explored in the previous few years. These were his solo album Everything on PIAS Recordings (an album of songs taking in lo-fi, jazz standard and electronic-tinged folk influences) and Variations under the moniker Soul Ascendants (along with DJ Nick the Record) on Nuphonic. The latter was a mixture of house, jazz and afro-beat, featuring collaborations with Fela Kuti’s bandleader and drummer from the Africa 70, Tony Allen.

Both these albums were released in 2000, and it was at this time that he was asked to contribute as writer and vocalist to Groove Armada’s third album Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub). This preceded a period of touring with the band during 2001 – 2002 as vocalist, also helping on trumpet, guitar and keyboard duties, and featuring as vocalist on their next album Lovebox.

Moving on once again, at the end of 2002 he toured with Paul Oakenfold in the States as lead and bass guitarist and vocalist to promote the Oakenfold's album Bunkka, and then as bass player with the breaks-based outfit Hybrid, providing live the bass parts Peter Hook had played on record.

In late 2003 he started working with Tom Findlay from Groove Armada, leading to a remix album Launchpad Remixes.
In 2004 Tim provided horns on several songs on Ian Brown’s album Solarized. He also co-wrote and played guitars and bass on song Time Is My Everything.

Colors
Tim Hutton Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Looking out from day to day
At a dirty old expensive motorway
I dream of colours when all around is grey
I dream of colours and sunlight
There's a way i'd rather be
Than the person who pretends that he is me
I dream of colours to be what i would be
I dream of colours, inspires me

Suddenly, a shaft of light breaks through
Illuminates the room (gloom?)
When all around was darkened
And tender hues of light and shade
It paints a picture over(?) All together brighter day
Looking out from day to day
At a dirty old expensive motorway
I dream of colours when all around is grey

I dream of colours.. And sunlight
Sunlight.. Sunglight.. And sunlight..

Overall Meaning

The song Colors by Tim Hutton speaks about the desire for color and brightness in a monotonous and dull world. The first verse expresses his longing for colors and sunlight amidst a gloomy and gray environment. The lyrics indicate that the singer, although surrounded by the dullness of everyday life, chooses to dream of a brighter future with colors that can inspire him. The second verse depicts a sudden beam of light that illuminates the room, offering hope in the midst of darkness. The light creates a picture of tender hues of light and shade that paint a picture of a brighter day.

In the chorus, the singer repeats the desire to dream of colors and sunlight to implore that it inspires him. This repetition reinforces the importance of these elements in his life and highlights how they serve as a source of inspiration for him. In the bridge, the singer acknowledges that there is a way he would rather be than pretending to be someone he is not, indicating he values authenticity and individuality. The song Colors speaks to the human desire for hope and beauty, where colors and sunlight serve as symbols of optimism, creativity, and vitality.

Line by Line Meaning

Looking out from day to day
Observing the world on a daily basis

At a dirty old expensive motorway
Watching the unattractive and pricey highway

I dream of colours when all around is grey
Desiring vibrant hues when everything is dull

I dream of colours and sunlight
Aspiring for vivid shades and warmth

There's a way i'd rather be
Preferring a different state of being

Than the person who pretends that he is me
Rather than pretending to be someone else

I dream of colors to be what i would be
Desiring colorful expression of oneself

I dream of colours, inspires me
The inspiration drawn from colorful dreams

Suddenly, a shaft of light breaks through
An unexpected beam of light appears

Illuminates the room (gloom?)
Brightens up the dimly lit space

When all around was darkened
In a gloomy environment