Everything Flows: lyrics

Showing posts with label lyrics. Show all posts

Monday, 20 July 2026

Lay This Burden Down

Trust me #120
Lay This Burden Down by Mary Love

Discogs can provide a good indication of the value soul fans place on a song and record. 215 people have a 7-inch of Mary Love's Lay This Burden Down, but 1,498 want a copy. For those willing to sell, they can get up to £300 from collectors and fans willing to go that high. Fear not, the good folk at Kent Records have included the song on a couple of their excellent compilations - which is where I discovered the song.

I rediscovered it recently while browsing the soul section in Monorail with my sister Carla on Record Store Day. I advised Carla to get the Mary Love compilation that they had. And I'm glad that she did. Little sisters don't always take their big brothers advice!

Lay This Burden Down is 2-minutes and 35 seconds that are simultaneously heartbreaking and utterly exhilarating. Released in 1967, the energy leaps out of the record from the off, the rumbling bass and piano are joined by a fast and steady beat. The energy rises at 10 seconds in when Mary Love begins to sing.

I know I'm heading in the wrong direction

'Cause I'm weak from the lack of affection

I've been afraid to accuse you my darling

'Cause I didn't wanna lose you my baby

I've been knowing about your other love a long time

Given you a chance to make up your mind

Then Love explodes into the chorus, recognising what she needs to do, learning from her tears.

But

Tear stains on my pillowcase

Tells me not to hesitate

I've got to lay this burden down

The arrangement by Arthur Wright and production by Richard Parker is sublime, absolutely perfect. Everything flows, the band (the Arthur Wright Orchestra) are exceptional and Mary Love is completely in the zone. No wonder this song sends people on to dance floors to this very day.

The second verse feels even faster, the thunderous wall of sound, driving beat and bass that feels like a heart about to burst. The pace is phenomenal, Love singing about the stress of trying to hold on to a love.

And then back to the chorus, Love's tear soaked pillow cases underlining what she already knows in her heart of hearts. Love's voice entwined with her backing singers sounds sublime, through speakers or on headphones (for extra appreciation). Heartbreaking and euphoric.

It's grip on my heart, I've got to shake it
Hang around another boy, I've got to make it
I've got to get away so I won't be saved
By the things that make me weaker and fall deeper
I've made up my mind, to make a change
My whole life, to rearrange

But

Tear stains on my pillowcase

Tells me not to hesitate

I've got to lay this burden down

I've got to lay this burden down, yeah,

After an instrumental Love's voice soars and brings us back to the chorus, with a little bit of glorious ad libbing afterwards over her backing singers. What an absolute gem of a song, so much soul and emotion in just 2-minutes 35 seconds - POW!

Lay This Burden Down is added to my Trust Me playlist; search for Everything Flows - Trust Me on Spotify or CLICK HERE. Check below for all previous blogs in my Trust Me series.

Previous Trust Me blogs

1. Something On Your Mind by Karen Dalton
1A. Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells
2. I Am, I Said by Neil Diamond
3. Where's The Playground Susie? by Glen Campbell
4. If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lighfoot
5. Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon
6. Gone With The Wind Is My Love by Rita and the Tiaras
7. In The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans
8. The Music Box by Ruth Copeland
9. The Ship Song by Nick Cave
10. Sometimes by James
11. I Walk The Earth by King Biscuit Time
12. Didn't Know What I Was In For by Better Oblivion Community Centre
13. When My Boy Walks Down The Street by The Magnetic Fields
14. The Man Don't Give A F**k by Super Furry Animals
15. All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun by Jeff Buckley and Liz Fraser
16. Are You Lookin' by The Tymes
17. A Real Hero by College & Electric Youth
18. Feelings Gone by Callum Easter
19. Sunday Morning by The Velvet Underground
20. Did I Say by Teenage Fanclub
21. Don't Look Back by Teenage Fanclub
22. Your Love Is The Place Where I Come From by Teenage Fanclub
23. Belfast by Orbital
24. Clouds by The Jayhawks
25. Dreaming Of You by The Coral
26. Everlasting Love by Love Affair
27. Walk Away Renee by The Left Banke
28. Teenage Kicks by The Undertones
29. Shaky Ground by Sneeze
29. Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells
30. I Can Feel Your Love by Felice Taylor
31. The State We're In by The Chemical Brothers w/ Beth Orton
32. Sunshine After The Rain by Ellie Greenwich
33. Losing My Edge by LCD Soundsystem
34. Mondo 77 by Looper
35. Les Fleurs by Minnie Riperton
36. Rat Trap by The Boomtown Rats
37. How High by The Charlatans
38. I Can't Let Go by Evie Sands
39. Pop Song 89 by R.E.M.
40. Summertime Clothes by Animal Collective
41. There She Goes by The Las
42. We're Going To Be Friends by White Stripes
43. Autumn Sweater by Yo La Tengo
44. Sister Rena by Lomond Campbell
45. Revolution by The Beatles
46. Lazarus by The Boo Radleys
47. Wrote For Luck by Happy Mondays
48. American Trilogy by The Delgados
49. Loser by Beck
50. Silent Sigh by Badly Drawn Boy
51. Comedy by Shack
52. Take The Skinheads Bowling by Camper Van Beethoven
53. Freakscene by Dinosaur Jr
54. Thank You For Being You by The Pastels
55. I Think I'm In Love by Spiritualized
56. Chestnut Mare by The Byrds
57. Cannonball by The Breeders
58. Like A Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan
59. You Make Me Weak At The Knees by Electrelane
60. Lucky by Radiohead
61. Strange Currencies by R.E.M.
61. I Am The Cosmos by Chris Bell
62. Like A Ship (Without A Sail) by Pastor TL Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir
63. Nothing But A Heartache by The Flirtations
64. Made of Stone by The Stone Roses
65. Tonight In Belfast by Orbital, David Holmes, DJ Helen and Mike Garry
66. Anything by Adrianne Lenker
67. I Hold Something In My Hand by Bill Ryder-Jones
68. I Meant Every Word by Burnett Sisters
69. Dream Baby Dream by Suicide
70. Stove by The Lemonheads
71. Red Lady by Phil Cordell
72. Little Fluffy Clouds by The Orb
73. I Can Do It With A Broken Heart by Taylor Swift
74. Turnin' My Heartbeat Up by The M.V.P.'s
75. Razzle Dazzle Rose by Camera Obscura
76. Such Great Heights by The Postal Service
77. The Rat by The Walkmen
78. My God Has A Telephone by Aaron Frazer
79. Unfinished Sympathy by Massive Attack
80. Sweet and Tender Romance by The McKinleys
81. Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros
82. 69 Police by David Holmes
83. Hey Lisa by David Holmes
84. I Am A Rock by Simon & Garfunkel
85. Kung Fu by Ash
86. Kids by MGMT
87. Slight Return by The Bluetones
88. Give Peace A Chance by John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band
89. Cut Your Hair by Pavement
90. Race for the Prize by The Flaming Lips
91. Waitin' for a Superman by The Flaming Lips
92. Acquiesce by Oasis
93. This Is Music by The Verve
94. Lone Swordsman by Daniel Avery
95. Sparky's Dream by Teenage Fanclub
96. Common People by Pulp
97. Let Our Love Grow Higher by Eula Cooper
98. Regret by New Order
99. Keep On Keepin' On by Nolan Porter
100. Sit Down by James (Live at G-Mex) by James
101. Never Lose Your Sense Of Wonder by Yeti
102. Just When You're Thinkin' Things Over by The Charlatans
103. Life Is Sweet by The Chemical Brothers
104. How Can I Tell You (To Love Me More) by Brooke Coombe
105-107. Wigan Casino - Three Before Eight - Time Will Pass You By by Tobi Legend, Long After Tonight Is All Over by Jimmy Radcliffe, I'm On My Way by Dean Parrish
108. Cobra by Geese
109. All I Have To Do Is Dream by The Everly Brothers
110. Vapour Trail by Ride
111. Teardrop by Massive Attack
112. Since I Left You by The Avalanches
113. Good Dancers by The Sleepy Jackson
114. Kiss My Love Goodbye by Bettye Swann
115. What Difference Does It Make? by The Smiths
116. Get Out Of My Dream by The Clouds
117. Sundress by Ben Kweller
118. I Love You by Primal Scream
119. Calico Skies by Paul McCartney

Tuesday, 14 July 2026

Calico Skies

Trust me #119
Calico Skies by Paul McCartney

McCartney by the campfire - Calico Skies

Calico Skies is a gorgeous mid-period Paul McCartney song from 1997's Flaming Pie album. It's one that I always come back to and regularly discuss with my good friend Dougie.

Dougie and his lovely wife Fiona played Calico Skies to their newly born daughter Ailsa when they were en route home from the hospital. When you hear the chorus you might suddenly find something making your eyes water. A perfect choice.

In case, like me, you wondered what a calico sky actually is, here is what google returned - it is a meteorological term for a sky covered in patchy, high-altitude clouds, typically cirrocumulus or altocumulus. These clouds break up into small, distinct and puffy white or grey sections separated by blue sky, closely resembling the patchy, multi-coloured coat of a calico cat.

So there you go!

As for the song, McCartney is at his melodic and romantic best. The acoustic guitar riff is playful, McCartney's voice is tender and sincere. There is no doubt who McCartney is singing to - Linda - the love of his life.

It was written that I would love you

From the moment I opened my eyes

And the morning when I first saw you

Gave me life under calico skies

Then we have the gorgeous chorus, McCartney pouring his heart out. Pure love and pure care. Beautiful. This melts my heart every single time I hear it!

I will hold you, for as long as you like

I'll hold you, for the rest of my life

McCartney then ups the romance! What a guy. What a songwriter. The second verse is heartfelt, a complete outpouring of love, beautiful to hear and to read. Imagine having someone write poetry like this for you. Macca was head over heels for Linda.

Always looking for ways to love you

Never failing to fight at your side

While the angels of love protect us

From the innermost secrets we hide

Then back into the chorus, that sounds even better second time in.

McCartney has described Calico Skies as "a gentle love song that becomes a gentle protest song", as you can tell from the third verse. The last line really nails Paul's colours to the mast.

Long live all of us crazy soldiers

Who were born under calico skies

May we never be called to handle

All the weapons of war we despise

Then we're into a double chorus which includes a subtle but clever single word change second time round, with Paul changing hold to love.

I will hold you, for as long as you like

I'll hold you, for the rest of my life

I'll hold you, for as long as you like

I'll love you, for the rest of my

For the rest of my life

McCartney turned 84 in June, shortly after releasing his latest album The Boys Of Dungeon Lane. His rich catalogue of music from The Beatles, Wings, as The Fireman, his classical work and his 20 solo album is truly exceptional.

Since Love Me Do b/w P.S. I Love You, Paul has written/co-written and released hundreds of songs into the world. For its warmth, heart, charm and melody, Calico Skies is a real favourite of mine.

Calico Skies is added to my Trust Me playlist; search for Everything Flows - Trust Me on Spotify or CLICK HERE. Check below for all previous blogs in my Trust Me series.

Previous Trust Me blogs

1. Something On Your Mind by Karen Dalton
1A. Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells
2. I Am, I Said by Neil Diamond
3. Where's The Playground Susie? by Glen Campbell
4. If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lighfoot
5. Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon
6. Gone With The Wind Is My Love by Rita and the Tiaras
7. In The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans
8. The Music Box by Ruth Copeland
9. The Ship Song by Nick Cave
10. Sometimes by James
11. I Walk The Earth by King Biscuit Time
12. Didn't Know What I Was In For by Better Oblivion Community Centre
13. When My Boy Walks Down The Street by The Magnetic Fields
14. The Man Don't Give A F**k by Super Furry Animals
15. All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun by Jeff Buckley and Liz Fraser
16. Are You Lookin' by The Tymes
17. A Real Hero by College & Electric Youth
18. Feelings Gone by Callum Easter
19. Sunday Morning by The Velvet Underground
20. Did I Say by Teenage Fanclub
21. Don't Look Back by Teenage Fanclub
22. Your Love Is The Place Where I Come From by Teenage Fanclub
23. Belfast by Orbital
24. Clouds by The Jayhawks
25. Dreaming Of You by The Coral
26. Everlasting Love by Love Affair
27. Walk Away Renee by The Left Banke
28. Teenage Kicks by The Undertones
29. Shaky Ground by Sneeze
29. Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells
30. I Can Feel Your Love by Felice Taylor
31. The State We're In by The Chemical Brothers w/ Beth Orton
32. Sunshine After The Rain by Ellie Greenwich
33. Losing My Edge by LCD Soundsystem
34. Mondo 77 by Looper
35. Les Fleurs by Minnie Riperton
36. Rat Trap by The Boomtown Rats
37. How High by The Charlatans
38. I Can't Let Go by Evie Sands
39. Pop Song 89 by R.E.M.
40. Summertime Clothes by Animal Collective
41. There She Goes by The Las
42. We're Going To Be Friends by White Stripes
43. Autumn Sweater by Yo La Tengo
44. Sister Rena by Lomond Campbell
45. Revolution by The Beatles
46. Lazarus by The Boo Radleys
47. Wrote For Luck by Happy Mondays
48. American Trilogy by The Delgados
49. Loser by Beck
50. Silent Sigh by Badly Drawn Boy
51. Comedy by Shack
52. Take The Skinheads Bowling by Camper Van Beethoven
53. Freakscene by Dinosaur Jr
54. Thank You For Being You by The Pastels
55. I Think I'm In Love by Spiritualized
56. Chestnut Mare by The Byrds
57. Cannonball by The Breeders
58. Like A Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan
59. You Make Me Weak At The Knees by Electrelane
60. Lucky by Radiohead
61. Strange Currencies by R.E.M.
61. I Am The Cosmos by Chris Bell
62. Like A Ship (Without A Sail) by Pastor TL Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir
63. Nothing But A Heartache by The Flirtations
64. Made of Stone by The Stone Roses
65. Tonight In Belfast by Orbital, David Holmes, DJ Helen and Mike Garry
66. Anything by Adrianne Lenker
67. I Hold Something In My Hand by Bill Ryder-Jones
68. I Meant Every Word by Burnett Sisters
69. Dream Baby Dream by Suicide
70. Stove by The Lemonheads
71. Red Lady by Phil Cordell
72. Little Fluffy Clouds by The Orb
73. I Can Do It With A Broken Heart by Taylor Swift
74. Turnin' My Heartbeat Up by The M.V.P.'s
75. Razzle Dazzle Rose by Camera Obscura
76. Such Great Heights by The Postal Service
77. The Rat by The Walkmen
78. My God Has A Telephone by Aaron Frazer
79. Unfinished Sympathy by Massive Attack
80. Sweet and Tender Romance by The McKinleys
81. Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros
82. 69 Police by David Holmes
83. Hey Lisa by David Holmes
84. I Am A Rock by Simon & Garfunkel
85. Kung Fu by Ash
86. Kids by MGMT
87. Slight Return by The Bluetones
88. Give Peace A Chance by John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band
89. Cut Your Hair by Pavement
90. Race for the Prize by The Flaming Lips
91. Waitin' for a Superman by The Flaming Lips
92. Acquiesce by Oasis
93. This Is Music by The Verve
94. Lone Swordsman by Daniel Avery
95. Sparky's Dream by Teenage Fanclub
96. Common People by Pulp
97. Let Our Love Grow Higher by Eula Cooper
98. Regret by New Order
99. Keep On Keepin' On by Nolan Porter
100. Sit Down by James (Live at G-Mex) by James
101. Never Lose Your Sense Of Wonder by Yeti
102. Just When You're Thinkin' Things Over by The Charlatans
103. Life Is Sweet by The Chemical Brothers
104. How Can I Tell You (To Love Me More) by Brooke Coombe
105-107. Wigan Casino - Three Before Eight - Time Will Pass You By by Tobi Legend, Long After Tonight Is All Over by Jimmy Radcliffe, I'm On My Way by Dean Parrish
108. Cobra by Geese
109. All I Have To Do Is Dream by The Everly Brothers
110. Vapour Trail by Ride
111. Teardrop by Massive Attack
112. Since I Left You by The Avalanches
113. Good Dancers by The Sleepy Jackson
114. Kiss My Love Goodbye by Bettye Swann
115. What Difference Does It Make? by The Smiths
116. Get Out Of My Dream by The Clouds
117. Sundress by Ben Kweller
118. I Love You by Primal Scream

Friday, 8 May 2026

I Think That I Might Love You

I Think That I Might Love You is my sister Carla's fifth solo album. When you add in the TeenCanteen and Poster Paints albums, she has built up quite a discography since the summer and fall of 2016 when she released debut album Homemade Lemonade (originally under the guise of Ette) and Say It All With A Kiss (TeenCanteen) in quick succession.

This, at least for me, is Carla's best album. It's warm, melodic, there is lots of space, it's beautifully produced, sounds lovingly organic, great people play on it and it's Carla's first album since she started playing guitar.

Carla and her amazing band play The Rum Shack in Glasgow on Friday 29th May - Tickets For further dates in London, Leeds and Manchester visit carlajennifereaston.com/

Read on for a feature length review and some words from Carla.

Carla - It started with a 'f*ck it' flight to Nashville.

I'd been told about 'fuck it' flights. When everything is broken, and you have nothing left to give, you do something entirely for yourself. A selfish act, if you will.

You point to a place on the world map that you've always wanted to go but held yourself back from, and you go. You worry about the cost later. The immediate place that came to my mind was Nashville.

Trips to the Stax Museum, Third Man Records, borrowing equipment, playing the Bluebird Cafe, recording demos, riding electric scooters round town, hanging with old friends from Banff Arts Centre ... the 'f*ck it' trip was productive!

Carla - I left Nashville whole again, with voice notes and notebooks that held the beginnings of new songs. Those songs became an album.

Working on ideas with friends in Glasgow and online with friends from further field, Carla created an album. Meeting so many amazing women through Since Yesterday, her award winning documentary led to Carla picking up (and learning) the guitar. There was only one person Carla wanted to produce the album - Howard Bilerman; friend, mentor and producer of her Impossible Stuff album. Amazingly, Howard was up for flying over to produce the album in CHEM19! What a guy!

I was fortunate to enjoy an early morning game of tennis at the Gorbals with Howard and visit the studio a couple of times during his time in Scotland. His relaxed attitude and ability to create the right atmosphere to capture performances was remarkable. Howard has a fantastic ear for sound.

It's not often you play tennis with a Grammy nominated producer ... in The Gorbals Leisure Centre!

CHEM19 was booked for a week and the band literally ran through each song a couple of times before Howard hit record. A couple of times, he hit record on second play.

As a result, there is a beautiful freshness throughout the whole album, whether it's the zip of Oh Yeah, or the melancholic glow of You Might Be The Sun.

Carla - This album is friendship. And community. It's celebrating, remembering, and letting go all at once. It's all those connections that surround us all the time if we just open ourselves up to seeing them.

Oh Yeah bursts immediately into life, it's bittersweet power-pop ache in under 2-minutes. Carla and band lost in the music.

Carla - Oh Yeah is the sound of loving someone who doesn’t quite love you back, of giving anyway. Knowing the cost and paying the price with a defiant smile. Beauty with a bruise underneath. Reaching outward, leaning forward, heart wide open, and hoping to be caught.

It’s not bitter, it’s brave, letting yourself glow for someone even if they are half a step away. Big Teenage Fanclub guitars, huge strings, harmonies stacked like confessions you never quite say out loud. It’s standing in your bedroom, heart pounding, replaying voice notes that don’t say what you hope they will, and still pressing play again.

If Oh Yeah bursts into life, Red Kites In The Sun pulses beautifully, building to the chorus that gave Carla the album title. Stevie Jackson from Belle & Sebastian add harmonica, and all of a sudden things are driven by a pounding Motown beat.

There is more urgency with Never Really Wanted To Say which transcends towards the heavens, with sublime string effects lifting the chorus.

Older

Doesn't mean I'm wiser

I keep falling

In and out of love

Pillars Crash Down is gorgeously melancholic, but with real fire. A warm melody, one of Carla's finest vocal performances. I love the line;

We walk together, the radio playing

But it was never our song

Pounding drums kick in for the chorus that ends with optimism;

There'll be another summer that calls, me around

Then there is a breakdown (below) that leads back to the spine tingling chorus with that glorious tinge of hope in the final line.

A tonne of feathers is still a tonne

So I'll fly

Alone

Away, from you

Although this is a guitar led album, there is room for deliciously sugary and gooey synth pop in the shape of Let's Make Plans For The Weekend. What a delight! I first heard this when Carla played a show for Tiny Changes at the Old Hairdressers and it was a blast. Brilliant pop music. Loads of hooks, I mean listen a few times and count them! Humour, cheek and the honest reflection on how good it is to go out dancing with friends on the weekend.

The double chorus is sensational pop;

So lets make plans for the weekend, weekend

Take my hand tell me what you're scheming

Everybody drinking, no sleeping

Friday nights were made for feeling

Up all night and my heart is racing

Reach that high that we're always chasing

Chemical reaction, so amazing

Me and you are trouble making

And I love this section;

We don't care, we don't care anymore

If we're out there, we're out there on the floor

Carla - I love this song so much. I knew the album was leaning more toward guitar indie-pop, but I couldn’t NOT include this. My friend Pedro Cameron (Man of the Minch) and I wrote and demoed it in two hours; we’re both massive fans of Kylie Minogue and Girls Aloud. We wanted to write something that celebrates friendship, dancing, and that feeling you chase every weekend after a hard week.

It’s the token synth-pop banger on the album, the guilty pleasure, the one that gets you dragging your friend onto the dancefloor.

You Might Be The Sun is all stripped back, gooey, romantic, reflective ... One of Carla's most beautiful songs? At the time of writing, I very much think so.

I know you didn't mean it when you took all of your light away

I guess I'll never see it but I feel the glimmer anyway

Really, Really, Really, Really Sad is a co-write with Darren Hayman and Carla's love of 60's girls groups shines brightly. Vivid imagery topped with a catchy and sugary chorus.

Lift Your Head Up Kid has all kinds of Juliana Hatfield with The Lemonheads moments of wonder, warmth and wistfulness.

Start It Again also oozes warmth, reflection and advice. The sound is absolutely spot on - band, producer and studio all working in complete harmony. Blissful.

Don't wait until the right time

It can take a lifetime

Moth To A Flame is one of my favourite songs from the album. I love the melody, the imagery, the way the backing vocals come in for the no they don't, no they don't, no they don't section. The strings are beautiful

Like moths to a flame

I'm sometimes seeking out the pain

If You Found A Thread is a gorgeous closing song, the guitars chime at times and there are echoes of George Harrison as the song closes as Carla sings I'll wind my way back to you.

Carla - The song my friend and I wrote together in Nashville, the song that began this journey, holds that feeling more than anything.

A personal memory from just before Carla recorded the album;

Back in October 2024 Carla played a show at Cottiers Theatre in the West End of Glasgow, supporting Norman Blake. It was just Carla and her great friend Paul Kelly on guitars. They ran through the songs that they were going into CHEM19 with and I was blown away. After Norman's show we went through to the bar and drank whisky - something I very rarely do. But I was in the mood for a catch up and happy on the high of live music, so Carla chose a nice whisky - mainly because she was choked with the cold - and we had a couple, or was it three?! Anyway, it was lovely to just chat about music. The excitement of Howard coming over, going into CHEM19 for the first time, her friends coming to play on the album and the forthcoming Since Yesterday Glasgow premiere. It was all going on! So I love this happy (whisky fuelled) picture of the two of us from that night in Cottiers.

Wednesday, 1 April 2026

Robyn at Assai Records

It's not every day that you meet an international pop star!

I was browsing Instagram at the start of March when a post from Assai Records Glasgow popped into my feed. Robyn, the pop genius, was coming to the store to sign copies of her new album Sexistential.

Really?

Robyn? In town? For a record store signing session? 3-months ahead of her Hydro show?

I took a chance, ordered a copy of the record for my daughter Rosie who is slowly but surely building a cool collection that includes; Robyn (my sister Carla had got her a cracking ltd edition RSD album for Christmas), Gracie Abrams, CMAT, Madonna and Taylor Swift. I also ordered a CD to ensure I could definitely get in with Rosie.

As time progressed, I really wondered if I was dreaming and found myself checking the Assai Insta post and my email confirmation on multiple occasions. But yes, it seemed like Robyn was coming to Glasgow and Rosie and I were going to meet her.

Assai sent an email the day before the event to say that we should get there for 1.50pm. So, on the day ... still scarcely believing we were going to meet an international pop star, a true pioneer of synth pop, a brave woman who stepped away from the industry cycle to do things on her own terms, songwriter and performer of pure pop magic ... Rosie and I jumped the 1144 train into town. We grabbed lunch at the excellent Franco Manco near Central, walked up to Waterstones on Sauchiehall Street (where Rosie grabbed the new Hannah Gold book) and then sauntered further up to Assai at around 1.30pm.

I was surprised to find the shop pretty quiet, but posters were up, staff were getting ready and then (by chance) someone said; 'Are you Murray?' To which I replied; 'Are you Radhika?' After we both confirmed we were who each other thought, I introduced Rosie, to which Radhika replied 'Yes, I've seen you in Since Yesterday.'

It was lovely to meet in person. Radhika very kindly answered some questions for my blog back in January. I'm excited to hear Cine-Pop, her forthcoming debut album and finally get to see Radhika perform live with her band at Mono on 5th June. TICKETS

Radhika told us that Robyn would be arriving soon and that we should join the queue outside. Thankfully, the rain (which has been super heavy overnight and through the morning) had stopped. We sheltered in a doorway round the corner and got caught up in the excitement when 2 blacked out mini-buses arrived and Robyn's team came out to meet the Assai team. We could see someone make a call to confirm everything was OK and one of the buses zipped off to collect Robyn.

The Assai team started to move people in, but thankfully we were just on the corner when Robyn arrived and went in the side entrance. It was cool to see Rosie getting excited. As was I! We enjoyed some chat with a couple of lovely guys behind us, one in particular was a huge Robyn fan and had a clutch of her records with him. His friend/partner had an amazing pair of shows on - I was glad he got inside before the rain came back on!

Robyn was in, signing records and posing for photos, and we began to edge round the shop to the front of the queue. Radhika was taking peoples phones to ensure they got photos, so it was lovely to hand my phone to a young musician to take a photo of Rosie meeting another.

Rosie was the only kid there! Robyn smiled as she approached with her record (vinyl as the hipsters in the shop call it) and asked her name. 'Is that Rosie with a Y or I E?' There was a short chat and then Robyn ushered Rosie to come alongside her and she put her arm around her which was lovely.

And then it was my turn. Robyn asked if the CD should be made out to me, or Rosie. I said Rosie, and talked of how she had a record player and was enjoying buying albums and how she loved music and dancing. As I then grabbed a photo, I also said, thanks for creating such amazing pop music.

Dancing On My Own, Hang With Me, Dopamine, With Every Heartbeat, Call Your Girlfriend ... as mentioned at the start of this blog, Robyn is a genuine pop genius.

Sexistential is a cracking album. Dopamine (the first single) is sublime, Rosie and I first heard it on 6Music while driving home from her dance class. 'Is that Robyn?' she asked, leaning forward to turn the radio up as familiar sounding synths kicked in. Indeed it was Robyn, with an outstanding burst and rush of electronic pop brilliance.

Nothing's ever gonna cut you as deep

As the very first time

Nothing's ever gonna taste just as sweet

As when it is just out of reach

Blow My Mind (about her son) is a cool groove that melts my heart.

It's like you're the cloud underneath my feet

And you're the reason that I breathe

Light Up is spine tingling with brilliant synth sounds, the song threatens to drop big beats several times but somehow refrains. Album closer Into The Sun is all kinds of 80's pop bliss with a modern sheen. 9 songs, 29 minutes, brilliant pop music that will leave you wanting to play it all again.

Thursday, 7 August 2025

Just When You're Thinkin' Things Over

Trust me #102
Just When You're Thinkin' Things Over by The Charlatans

Released on August 7th 1995, just as the country was getting fixated with the Blur v Oasis Battle of Britpop, The Charlatans released the infinitely cooler and superior Just When You're Thinkin' Things Over , showcasing a loose, groove-infused sound reminiscent of Exile On Main Street-era Rolling Stones.

For me, this was the sound of summer sun. At T in the Park the previous month, the band had kicked up a dust storm as they played in baking hot sunshine, with this song sounding particularly sweet and soulful.

Check the TV footage that someone has thankfully uploaded to YouTube. Burgess and co are playing a blinder, finding a real dirty groove to ride at the end. My brother and I were right down the front and it was immense.

Official video

T in the Park 1995

Tim Burgess, main stage, T in the Park 1995

The Charlatans were in a deeply rich period of creativity during the mid-90's that saw them release 3 incredible albums and 10 singles within 4-years.

1994 – Up To Our Hips

Can’t Get Out of Bed – January 1994 / I Never Want an Easy Life If Me and He Were Ever to Get There – April 1994 / Jesus Hairdo – August 1994

1995 – The Charlatans

Crashin’ In – Boxing Day 1994 / Just Lookin’ / Bullet Comes” (double A-side) – May 1995 / Just When You’re Thinkin’ Things Over – August 1995

1997 – Tellin’ Stories

One to Another – August 1996 / North Country Boy – March 1997 / How High – May 1997 / Tellin’ Stories – September 1997

Just When You're Thinkin' Things Over begins in the groove. Acoustic guitar and piano sounding like they were made for each other. Burgess comes in with an infectious top line melody, instantly recognisable, immediately memorable. By 40-seconds he's into the chorus that includes the beautiful line you look good when your heart is on fire.

I'm coming home

You look good when your heart is on fire

It's a matter of taste yeah!

Mark Collins introduces a piercing guitar solo after the second chorus and at 2-minutes 30 the song bursts further into life with Burgess singing to an old friend/flame?

Right now, where do you come from

Kick up, yeah go find your love

I ain't knocking on your door

Things slow down to the acoustic groove, before piano and beats come back in and it all sounds beautifully simple, easy and natural.

and all your friends seem disappointed

'cause they're not your friends now

Tim and the band are in full flight as they fly to the end, finding the kind of groove they could ride for hours. I wonder if there is an old demo of them just playing on and on.

What a song, what a band ... I can't wait to see them again in The Barrowland Ballroom this December.

Just When You're Thinkin' Things Over is added to my Trust Me playlist; search for Everything Flows - Trust Me on Spotify or CLICK HERE. Check below for all previous blogs in my Trust Me series.