If Misch seems surprised, it’s because his fanbase has developed naturally. He never set out with any grand plan when he began making beats, and uploading roughly three tracks a week to Soundcloud at 16. “ I prefer a more organic approach to making music, but also to building a fanbase,” he reflects. “I don’t want a big push on my music as I don’t want to be as big as possible.” And yet, he’s rapidly become one of the U.K.’s most exciting emerging new artists, gaining 1.1 million monthly listeners on Spotify and playing a sold-out tour of the U.K., U.S. and Europe in 2016. Collaborating with a clutch of fellow trailblazers like Novelist, Loyle Carner, and Zak Abel, he’s accumulated a total of 75 million streams across all platforms to date — and it all started in his bedroom.
Misch’s earliest introduction to music came via his artistic family, including his psychiatrist father, a passionate violinist, who would take him to concerts and the opera as a child. He sang in a choir at school, and picked up the violin himself at the age of four. When one of his older sisters took up guitar and later abandoned it, nine-year-old Misch inherited the instrument, and taught himself to play Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Nirvana songs. Today, he also plays bass, banjo, and a smattering of keys.
It was one of his sister’s boyfriends who introduced him to the music of J Dilla at 15, and from then on, Misch was hooked. He took up Music Technology at school the following year, and began learning how to create his own “really chilled out, boom-bap kind of ‘90s hip-hop” on Logic Pro. “When I wasn’t at school, I’d be making beats,” he says. “It was just what I did.” As he began sharing his tunes on Soundcloud, he found the response was overwhelming. “You put songs out and you build a fanbase — it’s kind of addictive.”
A collaboration with his sister Laura, on the jazz-inflected “Follow,” was a major turning point for both siblings after it was uploaded to influencer YouTube channel Majestic Casual. The track features Laura on sax and Tom on beats and vocals, intertwined to mesmeric effect. “That was the point where I was like, okay, maybe I could do this as a career,” Misch reflects. “Suddenly it had 100,000 plays.” Shortly afterward, Soulection co-founder Joe Kay commented on one of Misch’s productions on Soundcloud, asking the teenage prodigy to guest on his radio show.
Soon afterward, in 2014, Misch contributed to Soulection’s White Label series, weaving together obscure jazz samples, guitar, and vocals to create the perfect summer listen (including the dreamy fan favourite “The Journey”). His Beat Tape series collected the best of his hip-hop instrumentals, the 5 Day Mischon project featured collaborations with grime MC Novelist and singer-songwriter Zak Abel, and his 2016 Reverie EP brought the official release of Misch’s most sophisticated songs to date. As well as soulful singers Carmody and Jordan Rakei, he struck up a collaborative relationship with fellow south Londoner Loyle Carner, whose mellow bars flow over Misch’s productions like a breeze on a hot day. Both artists form part of the much-hyped scene of singer-songwriters emerging from south east London, including King Krule and Cosmo Pyke. Each has a DIY mindset and a brooding, poetic approach to lyricism that weaves them loosely together. “There’s definitely a certain sound,” reflects Misch. “Everyone’s music in south London is really chilled. It reflects the vibe of this part of London — it’s laid back.”
Misch has lived in south London all his life, and he loves it so much that his new single, “South of the River,” is dedicated to it. “I much prefer the general vibe of south London,” he says. “I love this area, Peckham, Dulwich, Forest Hill. Singing that line — You should come south of the river — it just felt really good.” With its string arrangements mirroring disco synth stabs and a funky bassline, it’s an irresistible bop that nods clearly to Misch’s danceable new direction.
One of the biggest influences on Misch’s sound has long been jazz. With a degree in jazz guitar, Misch is an avid listener of Robert Glasper, Roy Hargrove, Cory Henry, and jazz-influenced songwriters like D’Angelo and Erykah Badu. “It’s kind of a warm feeling, when you hear a certain chord progression,” he explains.
In the making of his debut album, he’s also been drawing on inspiration from disco, house, and techno, discovered through the portal of producers like Kaytranada and Motor City Drum Ensemble. The euphoric feel of 1970s and ‘80s disco (think Earth Wind and Fire or Gwen McCrae), and the thump of nightclubs like Fabric or Corsica, inspired him to bring more movement into his songs. “I want people to dance at my live shows, I want to bring more energy,” he says. “When you’re in a club and you can feel the bass...I want people to have that experience.”
Misch’s sound is true to its roots — he still makes his tracks in the same bedroom studio in his parents’ house, and his mum produces his artwork. (“ Her work is very DIY, just like my music, and feels homespun,” he explains.) But he’s never afraid to explore new territory. “I think it’s really important to make music that hasn’t been made before,” he says. “I’m trying to work out what my sound is, and pursuing that.” Fans might think they know his style, but Misch is a restless experimentalist, keen to spend endless hours honing his craft. One of his favorite new songs is a “Brazilian-sounding” jam that reflects how deeply he feels about his work. As he puts it: “It’s about how you can’t take away my love for music. I’ll always have that.”
On My Mind
Tom Misch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the stars come out to play
I bet tomorrow I'll be sleeping
Sleeping all day
And this fire I feel
Why is it burning so slowly?
I can't stop thinking of you
Like the five pounds you owe me
'Cause you're on my mind
'Cause you're on my mind
You're all I can find
'Cause you're on my mind
Please tell me that you feel the same
That we're on the same train
If you're a little bit late and miss it
That would be a great shame
I miss your sweet, sweet kisses and lovin'
When they were mine
When are you down?
I'll make sure I'm in town
'Cause you're on my mind
You're on my mind
You're all I can find
'Cause you're on my mind
'Cause you're on my mind
'Cause you're on my mind
You're all I can find
'Cause you're on my mind
All the colors, they shine through
Night time, and I'm thinking of you
Each dawn of every day
You're on my mind
(You're on my mind)
(You're on my mind)
(You're all I can find)
(You're on my mind)
You're on my mind
You're on my mind
You're all I can find
'Cause you're on my mind
You're on my mind
You're on my mind
You're on my mind
You're on my mind
The song "On My Mind" by Tom Misch is a heartfelt tribute to a love interest that seems to occupy the singer's thoughts constantly. As the sun sets and the stars come out, the singer anticipates sleeping through the next day, as this fire he feels burns so slowly. The song speaks of a love that's deep and persistent, where the person it refers to is all the singer can find on his mind.
The singer pleads with his love interest to acknowledge their relationship, hoping they are both on the same train together. He misses the sweet kisses and affection they shared before, vowing to be in town whenever they are around. The bridge talks of the colors that shine through at night when the singer thinks of his love, with every dawn of every day bringing memories of the person he can't stop thinking of.
The song's lyrics convey the emotions of the singer who struggles to let go of their love interest. It speaks to the feeling of missing someone who meant a lot to you and not being able to forget them. The song's brilliance lies in the simplicity of its lyrics, conveying to the listener that sometimes the feelings we have for someone are best expressed with sincerest simplicity.
Line by Line Meaning
And as the sun goes down
As night falls
And the stars come out to play
And the stars become visible in the night sky
I bet tomorrow I'll be sleeping
I predict that I'll sleep in tomorrow
Sleeping all day
I'll stay in bed all day
And this fire I feel
This intense feeling/emotion I have
Why is it burning so slowly?
Why is the intensity of this feeling subdued?
I can't stop thinking of you
You're always on my mind
Like the five pounds you owe me
Like a small debt, you're always on my mind
'Cause you're on my mind
Because you're always in my thoughts
You're all I can find
You're my only thought
Please tell me that you feel the same
Let me know if you share my feelings
That we're on the same train
That we're on the same path/journey
If you're a little bit late and miss it
If you're delayed and fail to join me
That would be a great shame
It would be a huge disappointment
I miss your sweet, sweet kisses and lovin'
I reminisce about our moments together
When they were mine
When we were in a relationship
When are you down?
When will you be available?
I'll make sure I'm in town
I'll ensure that I'm present
All the colors, they shine through
Vibrant colors come to life
Night time, and I'm thinking of you
At night, you're all I can think about
Each dawn of every day
Every day when the sun comes up
You're on my mind
You're constantly on my mind
(You're on my mind)
Repetition of the above line
(You're all I can find)
Reiteration that thoughts of you consume me
(You're on my mind)
Repetition of the above line
You're on my mind
You're always in my thoughts
You're on my mind
You're my primary thought
You're on my mind
You occupy my thoughts completely
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JESSICA CARMODY NATHAN, THOMAS ABRAHAM MISCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fatimanauifrancisco1739
You're On My Mind (Lyrics)
[Verse 1]
And as the sun goes down
And the stars come out to play
I bet tomorrow I’ll be sleeping
I’ll be sleeping all day
And this fire I feel
Why is it burning so slowly?
I can’t stop thinking of you
Like the five pounds you owe me
[Chorus]
Cos you’re on my mind
Cos you’re on my mind
You’re all I can find
Cos you’re on my mind
[Verse 2]
Please tell me that you feel the same
That we're on the same train
If you're a little bit late and miss it
That would be a great shame
I miss your sweet, sweet kisses and lovin’
When they were mine
When are you down?
Make sure I’m in town
[Chorus]
Cos you’re on my mind
Cos you’re on my mind
You’re all I can find
Cos you’re on my mind
Cos you’re on my mind
Cos you’re on my mind
You’re all I can find
Cos you’re on my mind
[Bridge]
All the colors they shine through
Night time, and I’m thinking of you
Each storm of every day
You’re on my mind
[Instrumental Solo]
[Chorus]
Cos you’re on my mind
Cos you’re on my mind
You’re all I can find
Cos you’re on my mind
Cos you’re on my mind
Cos you’re on my mind
You’re all I can find
Cos you’re on my mind
@philemonmjoli39
Lost my dad on the 10th of October 2018. We only found his body four days later. I played this song every day while we were searching for him. Couldn't play this song without tearing up. Today is the first day I can bear to listen to this song. Tom thank you for making music that provides an escape for the soul and a platform to fully appreciate life.
@siknotesimpkins4222
that touched me :( i hope things for you and family have become as they can be after such a loss. much love and RIP to your father
@stevenchurney2416
So very sorry for that ourney. Misch is priceless
@eastallyih
Im so sorry
@StickySinger
DesereyeeyyeyywyyeeyeyyyyyyyyyyyyyeyeeyeyeyeyeyeyeyeyeyeyyeeyeySsssfhhshhhsasassaaaahaaasxe
@bennyblanco7487
Stay strong ✊🏽 you got this❤️
@wvfootball
I sing this to my daughter everyday in the Morning when she takes her nap to let her lnow daddy is always thinking of her
@krisraps
That's So Cute ! You Must Be A great Father To Her...
I Hope, When You Gone After Many many Many years, She Will Read Your Comment ...
@felixthecat1802
lovely!
@Deftonedd4
You can bet when I get married I’ll have Tom Misch playing