Born 1943, Yorkshire, UK, Christie started his musical life in 1960 in a duo called the Grant Brothers, and until 1969 he simply fronted bands. In 1969 he signed up with MCA Records. Hits such as Amarillo and I Did What I Did for Maria followed.
Christie sold over 10 million records in the 70s. The 80s saw a slowdown due to changing musical taste, however he was awarded Die Golden Europa by German radio for superb showmanship.
The 90s led to more hits such as the song Sweet September and the Jarvis Cocker song Walk like a Panther.
Peter Kay brought Christie to a whole new generation of youth with the song (Is This the Way To) Amarillo and Avenues and Alleyways.
Christie is still going strong and he got into the football spirit with (Is This the Way To) The World Cup.
Ruby
Tony Christie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ruby are you contemplating going out somewhere?
The shadow on the wall tells me the sun is going down
Oh Ruby, don't take your love to town
It wasn't me that started this whole crazy Asian war
But I was proud to go and do my patriotic chore
Yes, it's true that I'm not the man I used to be
It's hard to love a man whose legs are bent and paralyzed
And the wants and the needs of a woman your age, Ruby, I realize
But it won't be long, I've heard them say until I'm not around
Oh Ruby, don't take your love to town
She's leaving now 'cause I just heard the slamming of the door
The way I know I've heard it slam one hundred times before
And if I could move I'd get my gun and put her in the ground
Oh Ruby, don't take your love to town
Oh Ruby, for God sakes turn around
The song "Ruby" by Tony Christie tells a poignant story of a disabled veteran who is pleading with his wife not to leave him. The first stanza describes Ruby getting dressed up to go out, and the singer noticing that the sun is going down. This could be a metaphor for the end of his own life, as he is paralyzed and likely nearing the end of his time. He begs her not to take her love out into the world and leave him all alone.
The second verse provides some context as to why the singer is paralyzed - he fought in an Asian war, likely referring to the Vietnam War. He went to fight for his country, but the experience has left him forever changed. He acknowledges that he isn't the same man he once was, but still longs for companionship from his wife.
The final stanza is the most heartbreaking, as he hears the door slam and knows that she's leaving him. The line "the way I know I've heard it slam one hundred times before" implies that this is a regular occurrence for them. The singer is consumed with anger and frustration, wishing he could physically defend himself and make her stay. The final line, "Oh Ruby, for God sakes turn around" is a desperate plea for her to reconsider and stay with him.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the devastating effects of war on individuals and relationships. It paints a vivid picture of a disabled veteran's struggle to maintain a connection with his loved one and avoid becoming completely isolated.
Line by Line Meaning
You've painted up your lips and rolled, and curled your tinted hair
You've taken so much care to make yourself look pretty
Ruby are you contemplating going out somewhere?
Ruby, are you thinking about leaving the house tonight
The shadow on the wall tells me the sun is going down
I can tell from the shadow on the wall that the day is ending
Oh Ruby, don't take your love to town
Oh Ruby, please don't go out and find someone else to love
It wasn't me that started this whole crazy Asian war
I'm not the one who began this insane war in Asia
But I was proud to go and do my patriotic chore
But I was glad to go and serve my country
Yes, it's true that I'm not the man I used to be
It's true that my health and abilities have declined
Oh Ruby, I still need some company
But Ruby, I still long for your companionship
It's hard to love a man whose legs are bent and paralyzed
It's difficult to love a man who can no longer walk due to paralysis
And the wants and the needs of a woman your age, Ruby, I realize
I understand that as a woman your age, you have desires and needs
But it won't be long, I've heard them say until I'm not around
But I've heard people say that I don't have much time left to live
Oh Ruby, don't take your love to town
Oh Ruby, don't abandon me and find love elsewhere
She's leaving now 'cause I just heard the slamming of the door
She's leaving now because I heard the sound of the door slamming
The way I know I've heard it slam one hundred times before
I recognize the slamming sound because I've heard it many times before
And if I could move I'd get my gun and put her in the ground
And if I could move, I would get my gun and kill her for leaving me
Oh Ruby, don't take your love to town
Oh Ruby, please don't leave me and find love somewhere else
Oh Ruby, for God sakes turn around
Oh Ruby, please reconsider and come back to me
Contributed by Adrian I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.