Origin: Solid Air (John Martyn)

Subject: Nick Drake / John Martyn / Solid Air
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Jul 01 - 06:51 PM

Is John Martyn's song 'Solid Air' about Nick Drake?

What does it all mean?

Subject: RE: Nick Drake / John Martyn / Solid Air
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 17 Jul 01 - 08:15 PM

Yes, every interview/article I've read about John Martyn mentions this. I believe that there's the chorus of Solid Air on the 4 LP box set of Nick's recordings that Island release in the late '70's, printed on the booklet (give me an excuse to check out my copy again). I think in these days, Nick Drake would have been diagnosed with depression and I think that's the gist of John Martyn's song. I understand that John Martyn doesn't talk much about Nick Drake these days, understandably. My interpretation of the words is that it's more of a mood song, than a linear song. Sort wishing to help, but knowing there's not much you can do.

Subject: RE: Nick Drake / John Martyn / Solid Air
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Jul 01 - 10:34 AM

refresh

Subject: Lyr Add: SOLID AIR (John Martyn)
From: Brendy
Date: 24 Jul 01 - 02:12 AM

SOLID AIR

John Martyn
You've been taking your time
And you've been living on solid air.
You've been walking the line,
You've been living on solid air.
Don't know what's going wrong inside,
And I can tell you that it's hard to hide when you're living on
Solid air.

You've been painting it blue,
You've been looking through solid air.
You've been seeing it through
And you've been looking through solid air.
Don't know what's going wrong in your mind,
And I can tell you don't like what you find,
When you're moving through
Solid air.

I know you, I love you;
And I can be your friend,
I could follow you - anywhere.
Even through solid air.

You've been stoning it cold,
You've been living on solid air;
You've been finding it cold,
You've been living on solid air.
I don't know what's going wrong inside,
I can tell you that it's hard to hide
When your living on
Solid air - solid air.

You've been cutting too deep,
You've been living on solid air
. You've been missing your sleep
And you've been moving through solid air.
I don't know what's going on in your mind;
But I know you don't like what you find
When you're moving through
Solid air.

I know you, I love you;
I'll be your friend,
I could follow you - anywhere.
Even through solid air.

You've been walking your line,
You've been walking on solid air;
You've been taking your time
'Cause you've been walking on solid air.
Don't know what's going wrong inside;
But I can tell you that it's hard to hide
When your living on
Solid air - solid air.

You've been painting it blue,
You've been living on solid air.
You've been seeing it through
And you've been living on solid air.
I don't know what's going on in your mind;
But I can tell you don't like what you find
When your living on
Solid air - solid air.

I know you, I love you;
And I'll be your friend,
I could follow you - anywhere.
Even through solid air.

I see solid air.

Quote from John Martyn

B.

Subject: RE: Nick Drake / John Martyn / Solid Air
From: Brendy
Date: 24 Jul 01 - 02:16 AM

Messed the breaks up a bit there.
Sorry about that!

B.

Subject: RE: Nick Drake / John Martyn / Solid Air
From: GUEST,Ewan McVicar
Date: 24 Jul 01 - 03:54 PM

I ust tell you that I have had four different people unequivocally identified to me as the person May You Never was written to.

Subject: RE: Nick Drake / John Martyn / Solid Air
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jul 01 - 04:50 AM

Does this mean that the song wasn'nt written about Drake?