Worldview is fronted by Oliver Shaw, an Oxford-based songwriter, performer … Read Full Bio ↴Worldview is fronted by Oliver Shaw, an Oxford-based songwriter, performer and producer. Worldview aims to fuse the sounds of rock, pop and dance music with insightful lyrics reminiscent of Elvis Costello or Morrissey and the melodic sensibility of the classic 60’s acts. Oliver began playing in bands, including one with Coldplay’s bassist-to-be, then spent several years honing a one-man band approach in his studio, writing, singing, recording and playing everything in the manner of Stevie Wonder, early Prince or World Party. He self-released a debut album, the relationship-themed “War Years”, in late 2002, culled from home sessions. It enjoyed some airplay and praise for the “timeless quality” of the songwriting. A second set, “Paying For It”, followed in January 2005, with a more diverse stylistic palette and topics ranging from celebrity and consumerism to the Iraq conflict. The Oxfordbands.com website judged it “chock full of good tunes, clever lyrics and…united by a consistent, if rather misanthropic, musical vision”. As well as gaining FM and online radio exposure his tracks were featured on various unsigned compilation CDs. He appeared many times at major Oxford venues with a backing band from the ranks of other fledging local acts, and played some solo acoustic sets at London venues. Oliver then put together a new gigging line-up of Worldview, combining live instruments and PC, playing dates in Oxford and London, and an album, “Our Condition”, is available at the iTunes store. “Worldview's aptly titled "Our Condition" takes a snapshot view of modern living, with its raw honest exploration of life today...It's a strong offering with music that combines the ballads of REM with the dance beats of Duran Duran" - Oxfordshire Music Scene. The Credit Crunch is the subject of download single, “Party’s Over”, which along with other Worldview tracks is a staple of Internet radio stations. It features on the new Worldview album "Schoolboy Errors", released in February 2012.

Wonder
Worldview Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh the starry sky above you
And the moral law within you
Caused you to wonder
And you made such use of this life
That you barely paused to give life
That's where I come from

Now I resolve to travel wide

Both in the world and in the mind
And climb aboard for any ride that calls my name

You were mad at want and hunger
But you had no truck with dogmas
You looked beyond them
Didn't care whose side you stood on
If it meant you got the job done
Sorting the problem

Now I resolve to take your lead
And shake the fruit from every tree
And weigh the truth of all beliefs that call my name

When your endless thirst for knowledge
Left you late for your appointments
We started to wonder
But those days as culture vulture
Meant that when the vultures circled
They hadn't been squandered

Now I will tap that energy
In honour of your memory
Though following your tempo won't come easily

You caused me to wonder
You caused us to wonder

Overall Meaning

In the first verse, the lyrics describe a person who is deeply inspired by the beauty of the starry sky and the sense of morality they possess. This sense of wonder drives them to live their life to the fullest and make the most of every opportunity. However, the lyrics also suggest that this person may have been too consumed by their own ambitions and desires, neglecting to give back or consider the impact of their actions on others. The phrase "That's where I come from" implies that the singer shares a similar mindset and perspective.

The second verse expresses a resolution to explore and experience the world both physically and mentally. The lyrics suggest a desire to embrace any opportunity that comes their way, whether it be through travel or intellectual pursuits. There is a sense of enthusiasm to explore new ideas and perspectives with an open mind.

In the third verse, the lyrics depict the subject as someone who rejects societal norms and dogmas. They are driven by a desire for change and progress, regardless of which side of an issue they may align with. The lyrics emphasize their dedication to solving problems and finding solutions, highlighting their commitment to looking beyond superficial divisions.

The final verse reflects on how the subject's insatiable thirst for knowledge sometimes led them to be late for appointments or commitments. However, this intellectual curiosity and cultural exploration were seen as valuable and not wasted. The lyrics pay homage to the subject's memory and suggest that the singer will harness their energy and continue to follow their lead, even if it may not be an easy path to navigate.

Overall, the song's lyrics celebrate the power of wonder and its ability to spark inspiration and intellectual growth. It recognizes the impact that this person had on the singer and others, causing them to question, explore, and ultimately wonder about the world around them.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh the starry sky above you
The vastness and beauty of the night sky captivated you

And the moral law within you
Your internal sense of right and wrong guided your actions

Caused you to wonder
It inspired your curiosity and desire for exploration

And you made such use of this life
You lived your life to the fullest and made the most of every opportunity

That you barely paused to give life
You were so focused on your own pursuits that you didn't prioritize creating new life or giving back

That's where I come from
My perspective and understanding are shaped by your example

Now I resolve to travel wide
I am determined to explore diverse experiences and perspectives

Both in the world and in the mind
I will venture into different physical locations as well as expand my intellectual horizons

And climb aboard for any ride that calls my name
I am open to embracing any opportunity or adventure that resonates with me

You were mad at want and hunger
You despised poverty and hunger

But you had no truck with dogmas
You rejected rigid belief systems or ideological doctrines

You looked beyond them
You sought deeper meaning and truth beyond superficial ideologies

Didn't care whose side you stood on
You prioritized finding solutions rather than aligning yourself with a particular group or faction

If it meant you got the job done
As long as it led to accomplishing the task or solving the problem, it didn't matter whose viewpoint you adopted

Sorting the problem
You were skilled at analyzing and resolving issues

Now I resolve to take your lead
I am committed to following your example

And shake the fruit from every tree
I will explore and extract knowledge or opportunities from every possible source

And weigh the truth of all beliefs that call my name
I will critically evaluate the validity and worth of different beliefs and ideologies that attract my attention

When your endless thirst for knowledge
Your insatiable desire for knowledge

Left you late for your appointments
Made you frequently tardy for your scheduled commitments

We started to wonder
We began to question and feel curious

But those days as culture vulture
That period of being deeply involved in cultural activities

Meant that when the vultures circled
When challenges or difficulties arose

They hadn't been squandered
Your time spent immersing in culture had not been wasted

Now I will tap that energy
I will draw upon that same passion and drive

In honour of your memory
As a tribute to your legacy

Though following your tempo won't come easily
Emulating your pace and intensity will be challenging for me

You caused me to wonder
You sparked my curiosity and sense of awe

You caused us to wonder
You inspired all of us to question and seek deeper understanding

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Oliver Shaw

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind