Story Behind The Song

1991: breaking up with a long term girlfriend, moved from Boston to Minneapolis to start a new life. Recorded a 4 track demo using Princes' piano at his Paisley Park Studios. (I was working there at the time). Performed it live throughout the next 15 years, changing the rock beat to a Reggae beat. 2007: finished the lyrics with my friend Alan Anderson and recorded a proper version of it featuring horns and Wurlitzer Piano. To be released on my forthcoming CD Long Play Record on Hi-n-Dry records.

Song Description

Even though this is a break up song, I think it had a deeper meaning in regards to self-resilience. I use weather to describe the situation and the characters. Sometimes our moods and actions are like the wind or rain or oceans... and sometimes you feel like an island in the middle of the ocean, or the calm center of a storm. It might seem poorly pitched for a documentary about enduring marriages, but what marriage hasn't had its rough patches? Everyone feels alone from time to time, even in a happy marriage.

Lyrics

I an an island in the sun
out on the sea I never need anyone
I use to think that I
would never ever cry

I was so far out of reach
but that changed the day you came and swept down my beach
I had never felt the rain
but you bent my trees like a hurricane

You showed me things that I never knew
but you never taught me how to let go of you
Bye bye

It use to be me myself and I
the sun and the moon the ocean blue and the sky
you were but a single cloud
but you soon spread wide and wild and proud

My branches danced inside your storm
and you gave me life like I was just being born
but once you'd had your fun
you gathered up your rain and left me none

Even though you're gone I still can't give you up
I gained the world when I lost your love

Bye bye

You raged right through and blew my mind
but you never saw the mess you left behind
Bye bye

I am an island in the sun
now that you're gone I feel my life's just begun
today's the day it starts