With some mild success with singles during the mid-late 1960s, Bunyan released the LP, Just Another Diamond Day, in 1970. This consisted of songs written while traveling in a horse drawn gypsy cart. Critics panned the album and a discouraged Vashti soon disappeared from the music scene. However, by the 2000s her work had finally been finding an audience among contemporary artists and fans of folk music.
In 2002, she was invited by Piano Magic musician Glen Johnson to sing guest vocals on his song "Crown of the Lost", her first recording in over 30 years. After guesting on Piano Magic's album 'Writers Without Homes', she released her critically-acclaimed second album, Lookaftering, 35 years after its predecessor.
In 2006 she collaborated with Adem and began to tour for the first time, accompanied by various musicians including Jo Mango and Gareth Dickson. She collaborated with Animal Collective on the Prospect Hummer EP. Vashti also sang with Devendra Banhart on his album Rejoicing in the Hands.
Bunyan's cover of the late John Martyn's "Head and Heart" appeared on the 2011 tribute album, Johnny Boy Would Love This...A Tribute to John Martyn.
Heartleap
Vashti Bunyan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heartbreak, head down, heartfelt
Heart melt, headstrong, heart spring
Heart sing, head gone, heart leap
Heart sleep, head space, heartsease
Heart please, headache, heartsearch
Heart lurch, headfirst, heart long
Heart song, head done, heart leap
The lyrics to Vashti Bunyan's "Heartleap" express a range of emotions associated with the heart and head. The verses are structured around a pattern of two words that are opposite in meaning but share the word "heart" or "head." The use of paradoxical imagery creates a sense of tension and ambiguity, suggesting that the head and heart are in conflict with each other. The repetition of the phrase "heart leap" provides a unifying thread throughout the song, conveying a sense of yearning and desire.
The first verse pairs "heart leap" with "headlong" and "heartache" with "heartbreak." The imagery suggests the impulsive nature of the heart, which can lead to both joy and sorrow. The second verse contrasts "heart melt" with "headstrong" and "heart spring" with "heart sing." Here, the heart is associated with vulnerability and surrender, while the head is seen as more determined and resolute. The third verse combines "heart sleep" with "head space" and "heartsease" with "heart please." This verse captures the idea that the heart and head need rest and relaxation, as well as stimulation and challenge. The final verse links "heart lurch" with "headfirst" and "heart long" with "heart song." The word "long" has a double meaning here, suggesting both yearning and length of time. Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of the complexity and depth of human emotion, and the ways in which the heart and head are intertwined.
Line by Line Meaning
Heart leap, headlong, heartache
A sudden rush of emotion leads me towards an uncertain path with conflicts and pains.
Heartbreak, head down, heartfelt
My shattered heart and disappointment make me bow my head while every feeling powerfully comes to the surface.
Heart melt, headstrong, heart spring
The intensity of my strong will and desires melts my heart, making it plentiful with love and hope.
Heart sing, head gone, heart leap
My heart exults in euphoric spirits that make me lose my mind while I leap with joy.
Heart sleep, head space, heartsease
With peace and calmness prevailing in my heart and soul, I find a tranquil moment of respite and rest.
Heart please, headache, heartsearch
I strive hard to satisfy my heart's desires, causing me mental exhaustion while trying to find my true self.
Heart lurch, headfirst, heart long
My heart pulls me in different directions, making me take risks and plunge headfirst into seeking fulfillment and satisfaction.
Heart song, head done, heart leap
My heart sings its melodious tune, leaving no room for confusion or doubt as I leap with eagerness into the unknown.
Writer(s): Jennifer Vashti Bunyan
Contributed by Anthony B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Teddy Bear
Santo Humo - Vashti Bunyan
Suspiro con cada aliento que estoy respirando
Es una especie de santa bocanada que creo
Me llevará en mi camino
Un vagabundo: "el polvo en mis viejas botas se está asentando
Y estoy lentamente hechando raíces' yo le dije que
Nunca me ordenaría.
Uhoh, uhoh, uhoh, uhoh
Recuerdo lo que me dijo un viejo amigo.
Él dijo: "No te andes preocupando por mí
Solo estoy tan triste como quiero ser "
Bueno, eso es así tal vez, pero ¿quiero ser como árboles
Quien se encuentra rodeado de la congelada niebla
Para que la primavera venga a mi?
Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh noo
lyrics
Holy Smoke - Vashti Bunyan
I sigh with every breath I'm breathing
It's some kind of holy smoke that I believe
Will take me on my way
Some hobo - the dust on my old boots is settling
And I'm slowly growing roots I said
Would never tidy me away
Uhoh, uhoh, uhoh, uhoh
I do remember what an old friend told me
He said "don't you go worrying about me
I'm only sad as I want to be"
Well that's as maybe, but do I want to be like trees
Who stand round in freezing fog just waiting
For the spring to come for me?
Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh noo
Timothy Ivey
That's quite presumptuous of you. I, and MANY others out there, were listening to Vashti probably before you could even read...let alone write that ridiculous heading.
Teddy Bear
@fawfulBeans yea! masterpiece!
hooplehead
This is the most Michael Malice thing I have ever come across.
Cerese [ABANDONED CHANNEL, moved to Mimosa N]
ok boomer
DAPS1
She was about 70 when she did this. My god she still sounds so beautiful.
A R
What?
Mo Fo
DAPS1 i cant believe her voice doesnt change at all with age
Jenner L.
the only good thing that has come out of quarantine is finding this
Starcloud Hidden
A few other things,,,but definitely in Top Ten.... Today 4 Me
💞🕊️🕊️💞
TY
Grim R.
I've wanted to make something animated with one of her albums as the soundtrack for SO long...