Smith grew up in the Wester Hailes area of Edinburgh, and was encouraged to learn the tenor saxophone from the age of twelve onwards. At the age of sixteen, he obtained a scholarship to study at Berklee College of Music; there he joined Gary Burton's group.
He has become one of Scotland's leading jazz musicians and composers, an internationally recognised soloist and bandleader since the late-1980s and the musical director and driving force behind the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and his own Youth Jazz Orchestra.
He has composed for and performed with classical orchestras and ensembles including the Orchestra of St John's Square, the Scottish Ensemble, the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra and the Paragon Ensemble. He has also recorded and performed with classical pianist Murray McLachlan, pop group Hue & Cry, and Scottish traditional musicians including Gaelic singer Karen Matheson and accordionist/keyboards player Donald Shaw from Capercaillie.
Emily
Tommy Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waiting for a sign
To show you where to go
Lost, in a silent stare
Looking anywhere
For answers you don't know
[Chorus:]
Balancing your dreams
Hoping ends will meet their means
You feel alone
Uninspired
Well does it help you to
Know that I believe in you
You're an angel waiting for wings...Emily
You, going through this stage
It's a restless age
Young and insecure
Sill, there are doubts to fade
Moments to be made
And one of them is yours
[Chorus]
On the wire
Balancing your dreams
Hoping ends will meet their means
But you feel alone
Uninspired
Oh does it help you to
Know that I believe in you
You're an angel waiting for wings
Oh, you're an angel waiting for wings...Emily
The song "Emily" by Tommy Smith is a touching and poignant tribute to a young girl who is going through a difficult stage in her life. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a young woman who is lost, confused, and searching for her place in the world. The first verse describes a sense of frustration and aimlessness, as Emily is "caught in an endless time" and "waiting for a sign" to show her where to go. She is "lost in a silent stare" and "looking anywhere for answers she doesn't know." These lines convey a sense of helplessness and despair, as Emily struggles to find her way in life.
However, the chorus provides a glimmer of hope and encouragement. Tommy Smith asserts that Emily is "an angel waiting for wings" and that he believes in her. He acknowledges that she is "balancing her dreams" and hoping that they will come true, but that she also feels "alone" and "uninspired." Despite this, he wants her to know that she is not alone and that he has faith in her abilities.
The second verse reinforces this message of hope, as Tommy Smith acknowledges that this is a "restless age" and that Emily is "young and insecure." However, he encourages her to seize the moment and make the most of her opportunities, telling her that "there are doubts to fade" and "moments to be made." These lyrics demonstrate Tommy Smith's belief in Emily's potential and his desire to support her as she navigates this difficult time in her life.
Overall, "Emily" is a powerful and moving song that speaks to the challenges that many young people face as they try to find their way in the world. Tommy Smith's lyrics are thoughtful and insightful, conveying a sense of empathy and understanding for Emily's struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
Caught, in an endless time
You are stuck in an indefinite amount of time without a clear purpose or direction.
Waiting for a sign
You are actively anticipating a symbol or message to guide your way forward.
To show you where to go
To illuminate a clear and certain path towards your goal.
Lost, in a silent stare
You are bewildered, staring ahead to nowhere in particular, grappling with uncertainty.
Looking anywhere
Searching for answers both high and low with a sense of urgency.
For answers you don't know
Despite your persistent searching, you remain clueless and perplexed.
On the wire
You are perched atop a tightrope, delicately balancing your dreams and desires.
Balancing your dreams
Treading carefully to ensure that your aspirations are not at risk of slipping away.
Hoping ends will meet their means
Expecting that the results of your endeavors will match up to your ambitions.
You feel alone
Despite your best efforts, you are burdened by the feeling of being isolated and unsupported.
Uninspired
Feeling unmotivated and unenthused due to a lack of encouragement and inspiration.
Well does it help you to
Asks about the efficacy of providing an assertion in offering comfort or clarity.
Know that I believe in you
Acknowledges that despite the struggles and setbacks, the singer has faith and confidence in your abilities.
You're an angel waiting for wings
Reinforces the notion that regardless of present circumstances, you have potential and capacity for greatness.
You, going through this stage
Acknowledges and empathizes that you are experiencing a particular and challenging time in your life.
It's a restless age
Emphasizes the discomfort and anxiety that comes with growing and changing in a complex world.
Young and insecure
Recognizes the vulnerability and self-doubt that comes with youth and inexperience.
Sill, there are doubts to fade
Posits that despite difficulties, progress can be made towards dispelling uncertainties.
Moments to be made
Expands the idea that success and progress can be achieved during this challenging time.
And one of them is yours
Specifies that there is a particular moment, potential win or triumph that belongs to you specifically.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP
Written by: WAYNE KIRKPATRICK, MICHAEL W. SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Crystal Rusmisel
No child should loose a parent at such a young age. Praying that she heals and is able to move forward. Much love
Freedom❤
Is this true? And how he pass at age 29? I heard he cheated on savanna 😢 wss he good dad ? I'm shocked and feel bad for everleigh if this is a true story 😢 wss he doing drugs or what ??
Mel🍯 ☁️💜
@Freedom❤ you should be ashamed of yourself. How about you just send your condolences and move on.
Freedom❤
@Mel🍯 ☁️💜 ? I'm asking what.happened to him ? I feel bad he passed if this is true story? There's bad rumors about him which is sad so so I'm asking for more details ?
Josephine Britt
I lost my father at age 4
Freedom❤
@Josephine Britt 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Ashli Smith
OMG I'm speechless. All my deepest condolences and thoughts to the family🙏
Mk 3
I got really freaked out for a second because all I saw was daughter but it’s still extremely sad
Onyx Ross
I love your vibes from Ellamei
Mama Joe 123
I wonder how he passed away ?