Any minute now my ship is coming in…I’m ‘Waiting For My Real Life To Begin’….

If the only thing you know about Colin Hay is that ‘he’s that singer from that 80’s band Men At Work’ (if you even know that)…than you are missing out on not only a great songwriter, but a great performer and singer. Originally from Scotland circa 1953 he moved to Australia in ’67 and formed what would be Men At Work in 1978 hitting the charts in ’82 and disbanding ’85. Shortly thereafter in ‘87 he released his first solo album entitled Looking For Jack. There have been nine releases since including Man At Work (2003) a fabulous collection of M.A.W. songs redone and a few new songs where you can find today’s title quote. His most recent release is Are You Looking At Me? from last year.

I have to admit that although I am a fan of Men At Work I didn’t start paying attention to Hay’s solo work until 2002 when I heard “Beautiful World” on the Scrubs soundtrack (also on his release Company Of Strangers). That song got my brain thinking and looking for his stuff (amazing what a well put together soundtrack can do). Around that same time I saw him play at Largo here in Los Angeles where he was promoting his then upcoming release Man At Work. The show was one of the best I’ve ever seen - just him, his guitar and his wife, Cecilia Noel. That show opened up a whole other world for me where his music is concerned and it’s where I first heard “Waiting For My Real Life To Begin” (even more powerful live) and “I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You” from Transcendental Highway (also found on the Garden State soundtrack where is also listed as a Producer). Clearly there is so much of his music I have yet to discover but I look forward to it because this guy has seen the world and he is still clearly not stopping any time soon. Check him out at www.colinhay.com and www.myspace.com/colinhay

Here he is performing “Waiting For My Real Life To Begin” with Cecilia Noel (typed lyrics follow)…..




“Waiting For My Real Life To Begin”

Any minute now my ship is coming in
I'll keep checking the horizon
And I'll stand on the bow
And feel the waves come crashing
Come crashing down, down, down on me

And you said,"Be still, my love
Open up your heart
Let the light shine in"
Don't you understand?
I already have a plan
I'm waiting for my real life to begin

When I awoke today suddenly nothing happened
But in my dreams I slew the dragon
And down this beaten path
And up this cobbled lane
I'm walking in my own footsteps once again

And you say,"Just be here now
Forget about the past
Your mask is wearing thin"
Let me throw one more dice
I know that I can win
I'm waiting for my real life to begin

Any minute now my ship is coming in
I'll keep checking the horizon
And I'll check my machine
There's sure to be that call
It's gonna happen soon, soon, oh so very soon
It's just that times are lean

And you say,"Be still, my love
Open up your heart
Let the light shine in"
Don't you understand?
I already have a plan
I'm waiting for my real life to begin

Hey heyeyeyeyey
Hey yeeeeeee
Hey heyeyeyeyey
Eeh eeh eeh eeh eh x5

On a clear day
I can see, see for a long way

On a clear day
I can see, see a very long way

(Colin Hay/Thom Mooney courtesy of www.metrolyrics.com)

So there you have it. This is where my brain is these days. ‘Nuff said.

Thanks for tuning in….Until next time…..CHEERS!! and don’t forget to go Rock The Vote next Tuesday the 4th…..