After time in the Army Reserves, Paxton moved to New York City where he frequented the city's Greenwich Village coffeehouse circuit. His early success in Greenwich Village coffeehouses led to an ever-increasing circle of work. He made his professional debut at the Gaslight, the renowned folk haunt that also issued the singer's first album. In 1962 Gaslight Records would press 2,000 copies of his debut album, I'm The Man Who Built The Bridges.
Paxton also auditioned to join the Chad Mitchell Trio, but although he failed, the group enjoyed a 1963 hit with "The Marvelous Toy," one of Paxton's early songs. Paxton performed at the 1963 Newport Folk Festival, a performance that would be recorded-and released-by Vanguard Records. Paxton would go on to record a second album with Vanguard-at the Newport Folk Festival the following year - but his association with that record company lapsed, and it would not be until the year 2000 that Vanguard once again released a Tom Paxton album, Tom Paxton: Best of the Vanguard Years. In 1964 Paxton was signed to Elektra Records for whom he recorded his best-known work. Then in 1965 he made his first tour of the United Kingdom - the beginning of a still-thriving professional relationship that has included at least one tour in each of the succeeding years.
He and his wife Midge have been married since 1963 and have two daughters, Jennifer and Kate. All three women have served as inspiration for many of Paxton's songs. He now has three grandsons, Christopher, Sean, and Peter.
In addition to songwriting, Tom Paxton has written many critically acclaimed children's books, some of which were inspired by his songs for children.
He has performed thousands of concerts around the world in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, Scandinavia, France, Italy, Belgium, Holland, England, Scotland, Ireland and Canada. Paxton enjoys a strong relationship with fans throughout the world. His songs have experienced enduring appeal, including modern standards such as "The Last Thing on My Mind" (perhaps Paxton's best-known song, it has been recorded by dozens of artists, including Judy Collins, Sandy Denny, Dolly Parton, and Porter Wagoner), "Ramblin' Boy", "Bottle of Wine", "Whose Garden Was This", "The Marvelous Toy", and "The Hostage" (which recounts the 1971 uprising at Attica State Prison).
In February 2002, Tom Paxton was honored with the ASCAP Lifetime Achievement Award in Folk Music. A few days later, he received three Wammies (Washington, DC, Area Music Awards); as Best Male Vocalist in the "traditional folk" and "children's music" categories, and for Best Traditional Folk Recording of the Year for Under American Skies (the duo album he made with Anne Hills in 2001). This was the first Paxton album to receive an award of any kind.
Paxton has been nominated four times for Grammy Awards in his career, all since 2002.
In 2004, the Martin Guitar Company introduced the HD-40LSH Tom Paxton Signature Edition acoustic guitar in his honor.
In 2005, Paxton received a Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting at BBC Radio 2's Folk Awards at London's Brewery Arts Centre.
In 2006, Paxton received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the North American Folk Music and Dance Alliance.
On January 22, 2007, Paxton was honored with an official UK Parliamentary tribute at the British House of Commons at the start of his 2007 United Kingdom tour.
On May 3, 2008, Paxton was honored with a special lifetime tribute from the World Folk Music Association, and a concert was held at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center at Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria Campus, in Alexandria, Virginia.
Mr Blue
Tom Paxton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The evidence is clear, that you've been scheming.
You like to steal away and while away the day.
You like to spend an hour dreaming.
What will it take, to whip you into line?
A broken heart?
A broken head?
It can be arranged.
Step softly Mister Blue, we know what's best for you.
We know where your precious dreams will take you.
You've got a slot to fill, and fill that slot you will.
You'll learn to love it, or we'll break you.
Oh, what will it take, to whip you into line?
A broken heart?
A broken head?
It can be arranged.
It can be arranged.
Be careful Mister Blue this phase you're going through,
Can lead you nowhere else, but to disaster.
Excuse us while we grin, you've worn our patience thin.
It's time to show you who's your master.
What will it take, to whip you into line?
A broken heart?
A broken head?
It can be arranged.
It can be arranged.
Don't worry Mister Blue, we'll take good care of you.
Just think of it as sense and not surrender.
But never think again, that you can think again,
Or you'll get something you'll remember.
What will it take to whip you into line?
A broken heart?
A broken head?
It can be arranged.
It can be arranged.
The lyrics to Tom Paxton's "Mr Blue" is a cautionary tale of someone who is being watched and controlled by an unknown force. The lyrics divide into different sections, with each part chronicling the increasing control and manipulation imposed by the mysterious entity onto 'Mr Blue'. The first verse starts with a greeting that sounds friendly but is loaded with accusation and suspicion. The second part takes on a more threatening tone, warning Mr. Blue of consequences if he doesn't conform to whatever the force wants. The third part sounds both threatening and mocking, informing Mr. Blue that he has worn out his welcome with his resistance and that he needs to surrender. And, in the final verse, the tone turns confessional, with the entity stating that it has Mr. Blue's "best interests" at heart but, at the same time, issuing a warning that he will be punished for anything resembling defiance.
As a song, "Mr Blue" is a commentary on the way that conformity can be enforced through psychological pressures such as shaming and intimidation. Mr. Blue represents anyone who rejects the limits that society and those around them try to impose and the entity represents the society that enforces those limits. The song reflects the struggles of independent-minded people who refuse to conform.
Line by Line Meaning
Good morning Mister Blue, we've got our eyes on you.
We are watching you closely, Mister Blue.
The evidence is clear, that you've been scheming.
We know you've been planning something.
You like to steal away and while away the day.
You enjoy wasting time.
You like to spend an hour dreaming.
You daydream a lot.
What will it take, to whip you into line?
What will we have to do to make you obey us?
A broken heart?
Will it take heartbreak to make you listen?
A broken head?
Or will we have to physically hurt you?
It can be arranged.
We can make that happen.
Step softly Mister Blue, we know what's best for you.
Be careful, we think we know what's best for you.
We know where your precious dreams will take you.
We understand your aspirations.
You've got a slot to fill, and fill that slot you will.
We have a specific role for you to play, and you will comply.
You'll learn to love it, or we'll break you.
You'll accept your role, or we'll make you.
Be careful Mister Blue this phase you're going through,
Be cautious of the situation you've gotten yourself into,
Can lead you nowhere else, but to disaster.
It will end badly if you don't obey.
Excuse us while we grin, you've worn our patience thin.
We're getting impatient with you.
It's time to show you who's your master.
We need to prove that we're in control.
Don't worry Mister Blue, we'll take good care of you.
We'll take care of you as long as you obey.
Just think of it as sense and not surrender.
Try to see it as a logical decision and not giving up.
But never think again, that you can think again,
Don't ever question our authority again,
Or you'll get something you'll remember.
Or we'll punish you in a memorable way.
What will it take to whip you into line?
What will we have to do to make you obey us?
A broken heart?
Will it take heartbreak to make you listen?
A broken head?
Or will we have to physically hurt you?
It can be arranged.
We can make that happen.
Contributed by Declan G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.