The Big Idea, by Steve Ison

The Big Idea

by Steve Ison

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Full Digital Discography

8

releases

Get all 8 Steve Ison releases available on Bandcamp and save 35%.

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of The Big Idea, Caught On A Wet Day, Velvet Dream 13, Catch 22, Love In A Strange World, On The Way Up, April Songs, and The Stars Are Never Really Distant. , and , .

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1.	The Story Of Love 03:06	lyrics	buy track
Walking in a fable where giant men roam for rescuing my baby & find a way home In the shadows danger, my darkest fear Don't know if i'll make it clear We all feel the story of love We all feel the story of love & I dream you will find it & I dream you will find it Locked up in a tower where eagles fly Her feet are stuck in chains but her eyes are on sky Sends a note through the airwaves, she kept her word Faith within a faithless world We all feel the story of love We all feel the story of love & I dream you will find it & I dream you will find it
2.	Light Of The World 03:15	lyrics	buy track
I look at the city glow From up here tonight I'm flying on the skylight of the world I'm watching a movie show where lovers unite enraptured in the highlight of the world Its always all change & gone with the old ways Those ancient stars gaze back from the twilight of the world they walked upon See Lennon so far away up there on the mic & they're crazy for this strange light of the world A billion songs today all needing a like All waiting for the headlight of the world Its always all change & gone with the old ways Those ancient stars gaze back from the twilight of the world they walked upon Into the night , the things of today soon light years away as we'll be too....
3.	Take It Outside 03:53	lyrics	buy track
Wake up with your lover & you've got a strange doubt Take it outside Take it outside "Babe is there another ,am i on the way out ?" "It's all in your mind, It's only your mind " Rolling away through all you know everyday then in a heartbeat.. Open your eyes & look upon the horizon & it's gone "How did it end ?" you want to talk to your friend but now you can't speak she's moved on... Taking love for granted when you're worn in -waist out Let it all go, let it all go Saving for tomorrow because you just can't make now What do you know, what do you know Rolling away through all you know everyday then in a heartbeat.. Open your eyes & look upon the horizon & it's gone "How did it end ?" you want to talk to your friend but now you can't speak she's moved on... Do,do it up, you've tasted on loving wild days but now she's gone & walked away who knows where...?
4.	Be Good To Yourself 02:31	lyrics	buy track
Be good to yourself & know that you're alright It hurts me to see you wearing the dark night Baby, you gave me your heart of gold Everyone broken needs a friend, someone like you to let them love again... Be good to yourself, you told me the same thing but now that it's you its harder remembering Baby you changed me from cold as stone Everyone lonely needs a friend, someone like you to bring them home again... Baby you make me feel alive Everyone closed off needs a friend, someone like you with freedom shining Be good to yourself ,your people all love you & when things get tough they know who to run to Baby you take in so many lives Everyone wants to be your friend & someone like you will always light them Everyone wants to be your friend & someone like you will always find them....
5.	The Big Idea 04:05	lyrics	buy track
With the big idea walking down an open road keeps my head in space never to be bungalowed Don't know if its mine or even if it could be real Don't care if it's wise, only how it makes me feel & it feels like going home... It feels like going home coming alive again & it feels like going home... It feels like going home travelling by air I could move away take it to another town I could tell my friends but they'd only bring it down but with the big idea i can never be alone it's like a lover's voice singing down the microphone & it feels like going home... It feels like going home coming alive again & it feels like going home... It feels like going home travelling by air Oh wonder in the eyes again Thunder in the rain that pours away on the horizon Oh why would you deny a friend who offers you their faith in life ? Someday you'll realise and go home....
6.	Days Of Imogen Rose 02:36	lyrics	buy track
I remember the days of Imogen Soft haloed aching blue eyes & in her light i strained for melody She was the queen of my skies I spent all my days with Imogen Wandering round my fearful heart She was alive to all that energy Thought it was best we should part Heard her at play with some cat in the bag, moaning and-a-wailing then smoking a Jack Tracks on her back next morning were plain to see I cried like a babe as he gave her his all He was just a player as i can recall but strong as a man in a way i could never be Far away from the days of Imogen How quickly the years depart but i won't taint the sweet with bitterness for someone who opened my heart...
7.	Brochure Life 03:29	lyrics	buy track
Hollywood gives a hand to hold a crippled child with a heart of gold A war-torn street filled with gorgeous faces wearing diamonds that shine Lovers kiss at a moonlight meal "Flying high on our weekend deal" A drunken mob swarming ancient places screaming out " we've arrived ! " Brochure life trailers burn into my eyes Brochure life way up, take me through the skies Sliding doors to a beach-side view "What does your kitchen say about you ? " Models sneer by a broken window "Bring your Rebel alive! " Silken suit on a suntanned man "To be the best, wear the best you can" A whisky glass by a fire in winter "The fuel you need to survive" Brochure life trailers burn into my eyes Brochure life way up, take me through the skies
8.	Call On Me 03:12	lyrics	buy track
Call on me to paint your life Call on me your friend Call on me to change your mind Call on me again I know you've had your heart ripped angel I know you feel alone I don't know whether i'll be able to shepherd you back home You're drowning in a sea of ghosts & struggling for air I'm wishing i could reach out to you & pull you out of there Call on me to paint your life Call on me your friend (lets talk about it ) Call on me to change your mind Call on me again & with no communication my mind is spinning round I'm picturing the darkest scenes where you cannot be found Or maybe you're just taking time out trying to make it through & maybe i'm just being crazy worrying over you You could be so high you're out of this world or somewhere in the sky where you cannot be heard Or covered in a darkness with nowhere to turn Gone so far away you won't return Call on me to paint your life (lets talk about it ) Call on me your friend (why don't you) Call on me to change your mind Call on me again
9.	Weeping Angels 03:05	lyrics	buy track
Blessed with the heart of the angel, what a life for you Picking up people discarded & making them anew The insect that flies at the window you've got to help set free I guess that's the way everybody could be but you feel like you've got no defences from feelings as they flow Are they yours, are they somebody else's ? How are you to know ? Wave upon wave of emotion that's how its always been Is it the dream of your life or the life of your dream ? Weeping Angels in your eyes Weeping Angels feel everyone Weeping Angels on a smile that can hide the pain of their song Weeping Angels in your eyes Weeping Angels heal everyone Weeping Angels realise they've got nowhere to belong The mirror bound vacant devotion What a thing to give But you don't want to blame anybody or tell them how to live Cold or hot all you've got are your angels whispering inside "At the heart of all ways is to always be kind " Weeping Angels in your eyes Weeping Angels feel everyone Weeping Angels on a smile that can hide the pain of their song Weeping Angels in your eyes Weeping Angels heal everyone Weeping Angels realise they've got nowhere to belong
10.	Postcard 03:19	lyrics	buy track
I'm taking pictures of the ocean & the birds around the bay The sun is shining on the water as they fly up on their way Its just a postcard sent to remind me How i was here & lost in my prime Another year on holiday having a good time... Each day sat at the old cafe, wishing that you could be my love I'm really wanting to engage but only know i'll mess it up Its just a postcard sent to remind me How i was here & lost in my prime Another year on holiday having a good time... Amidst the trees trying to be happy Watching the beach ,above everyone I see my dream looking up at me smiling in the sun... smiling in the sun (having a good time)
11.	You Make Me Out To Be A Fool 02:50	lyrics	buy track
You make me out to be a fool Throwing your wine from the window at me on the fence Your jealous mind is nothing new Emerald eyes of a lover but we're only friends Walking through the trees Drinking yourself into a smeared eye sky Falling on your knees, I know you.... Yes you were born to be on stage Crying your tears to the gallery, lost in it all You turn from sorrow into rage thundering lies on the moments you claim to recall Walking through the trees Drinking yourself into a smeared eye sky Falling on your knees, I know you Make up runs on & on & on into a grand design A fable runs on & on & on into a pantomime Screaming out "No-one understands" into the fading light Night comes & still you make me out to be a fool.. Walking through the trees Drinking yourself into a smeared eye sky Falling on your knees, I know you
12.	Life On A Train 04:08	lyrics	buy track
Hey, you're never one to be waiting running for the 8am right now Again, you're locked up with the same faces who think they're going places you've not found Life on a train with the crowd Life on a train ,nowhere bound travelling for the lonely Feeling the days going by slaving away till you die Where's the good life they promised you would find ? How did you end up what you hated when you were young & blazing in your dream ? Caught a train out early one morning now 20 years have gone, where have you been ? Life on a train with the crowd Life on a train ,nowhere bound travelling for the lonely Feeling the days going by slaving away till you die Where's the good life they promised you would find ? Looking forward you can't disguise you know Lucy Jordan's eyes Just before she flies You'll have to lose all you fought to win Find the fire you once lived in Let it rise again or it could be the end.... Life on a train with the crowd Life on a train ,nowhere bound travelling for the lonely Feeling the days going by slaving away till you die Where's the good life they promised you would find ? Looking forward you can't disguise you know Lucy Jordan's eyes Just before she flies You'll have to lose all you fought to win Find the fire you once lived in Let it rise again or it could be the end....
13.	Temple Of The Singers 02:55	lyrics	buy track
They’re dreaming their way through a desperate life, they’re getting plucked out of the air There’ll never be room in the place they’re at they’ve just gotta be everywhere Temple of the singers Breathe out ,relax,enjoy & every note’s for you love about a girl & boy They’re running back home with a broken heart & shutting their door to the world They’re lighting the candles through tear-stained eyes & praying one day they’ll be heard Temple of the singers Breathe out ,relax,enjoy & every note’s for you love about a girl & boy Oh-oh You’re hooked on a line they’re singing Oh-oh You’re feeling the hurt they’re bringing… …‘cos life haunts you too You wanna shake it when they’re hot You think they’re naked though they’re not, ‘cos underneath they look a lot like you You’re always wanting something more, but don’t know what you’re looking for Skip every song before it’s halfway through Temple of the singers Breathe out ,relax, enjoy & every note’s for you love about a girl & boy
14.	The Actress 02:25	lyrics	buy track
With the actress as the beers pouring out in every mouthful of belief you have to be on board with Best to never disagree with her story & get the drinks in once again then you can leave her talking Won't you treat her as your Queen like in diva days of old ? Tongue filthy on a heart of gold Pushing through the crowd displayed Barking orders to the mass Each day you have to show your class Flailing arms & pouting face run together Living in some golden age Bette Davies reigns once more Won't you treat her as your Queen like in diva days of old ? Tongue filthy on a heart of gold Pushing through the crowd displayed Barking orders to the mass Each day you have to show your class With the actress as Big Dave throws her out & pay the taxi -close the door She goes off stage once more....
15.	Love To Meet You 03:01	lyrics	buy track
Found myself today, you played me in a song Love to meet you,say that i belong There'll never be no one else, baby you're the one Love to meet you, say that i belong You know my desperation I know your destination The radio could be me talking on the phone Love to meet you,never be alone I dream my life away just to bring you home Love to meet you,never be alone You know my desperation I know your destination There's nobody there Out of the sunlight & into the shadows she pulled away You know my desperation I know your destination
16.	People When They're Young 03:36	lyrics	buy track
Throw all your coins up in the air Everybody's looking for a love affair Follow the wind wherever she blows I never wanna hurt you precious rose... Taking flight to keep you safe tonight... Breaks your heart when you're alone, Looking through the window but there's no-one home Play that song on through the dark , hold you like an angel till the morning spark People when they're young are born to do it right People when they're young are born to do it right People when they're young are born to do it right now.. Reaching out just to be touched Need a little comfort if its not too much Someone's there with somewhere to run, Wake up in the morning wonder what you've done.. People when they're young are born to do it right People when they're young are born to do it right People when they're young are born to do it right now.. Hey hold on ! Don't you remember where you belong ? Hey he'll come & stay for the darkness & stay for the sun & stay for the darkness & stay for the sun... Treacherous clouds blocking the stars Gets you don't remember who you are We're here and gone in the blink of an eye Never feel the moments till they're all gone by.. People when they're young are born to do it right People when they're young are born to do it right People when they're young are born to do it right now.
17.	Holiday 02:50	lyrics	buy track
I'm living here on holiday, feel the sun all around Out walking where the air is clean, there's so much to be found I'm switching off the News at 10, aint got time for that now Its only there to bring me down, lock me in with the crowd One way will grip your eyes with fear babe One way will let you grow One way will make your nightmares real Well i know which way i'm going... Birds are singing & the sky is bright, bright as i can recall .. I was looking at the stars last night ; It's like i could see them all The streets are empty, still you come my way & talk at me like you do Your head so heavy & your words so grey; want me to be just like you... One way will grip your eyes with fear babe One way will let you grow One way will make your nightmares real Well i know which way i'm going... I'm living here on holiday i don't feel bad at all Out walking where the air is clean far away from the mall I don't feel bad at all bright as i can recall I don't feel bad at all.....
18.	Sunday Morning People 03:50	lyrics	buy track
Sunday morning people here gathering in market time Through the lots of memories mimicking the hearts design Over by the Rainbow wholefood stand see a pair of eyes that hold you I don't need no valentine, i just need a love that shows but what do i know ? Chewing over last nights drunk goodbye, wonder if the guy will phone you ? Broken hearts in summertime wallow in the market flow Sunday morning people here dread another early train Back to work tomorrow now gotta do it all again Picturing Alesha's roman thighs, happy that your wife don't know you Buy her an old effigy just to show you love her so & away you go..... If she phones you when you're on your back Tell her that your flight has gone "Babe i love you & i'll soon be back Dream i'm in your arms tonight "
19.	On The Horizon 02:35	lyrics	buy track
You keep on talking about how life's passed you by & you're never going to meet no one Dug deep like some night creature holed up in the dark Its hard to see what's on the horizon You think those girls with creeps are walking in the park on the horizon... You say your rose has simply withered & died Once it was alive but now it's gone Those bright-light bad-guy people crawling in your heart At least your memories you can rely on & now there's no-one left who'll notice who you are on the horizon.. Way to go !, What do you know ! as you turn your head around seems like a dream come true It's him ! Your ships come in ! & he's standing on the bow with eyes looking right at you.... Is this for real ? Could it be what you wanted ? when what you wanted , could he see what you wanted ? All you wanted ?
20.	I Love You 02:42	lyrics	buy track
I'm riding the blues on a wave of poetry It means nothing to you but it's where i want to be I'm heading out there with a smile like Doris Day i know you don't care but i'll find a way to say "I Love You" I'm singing a song as you talk with your new friend You brought him along saying he'd love me no end I'm bathed in sunshine as you both drift out to sea I know you won't mind as you move away from me -I love you You call my name just like the Omen child but you don't see why i love you You douse the flame on every hope that's mine but you don't see why i love you
21.	Sunlight On The Windshield 02:03	lyrics	buy track
Emily wait for me with the Sunlight on the Windshield-Going for a drive.. I've got nothing planned to do to fill these days and all i can offer you is a fantasy... Moving on its warm inside with the sunlight on the windshield and the world behind and the road is so long and a lure to make you dream The colours that seem so sure they may never be... Emily wait for me with the Sunlight on the windshield going for a drive And if i could open the door i'd make it real I'm only my love away Won't you wait for me....
22.	Goodnight Sita 03:22	lyrics	buy track
In the everyday women with their feet of clay cannot hold a light to you & i'm no superman just stumble on the best i can & do the things that i can do but in another world where a beating heart is heard i reach out for that melody & given half a chance I would live that true romance though i know it don't belong to me Goodnight Sita When the harsh light of the world has gone You take my hand into that dreaming life we go on & on Sometimes in disguise you look through someone else eyes at least that's what it seems to be but it's not really them it's just my love from way back when you pulled up from a memory but In the everyday women with their feet of clay cannot hold a light to you & i'm no superman just stumble on the best i can & do the things that i can do
23.	Lonely Girl 03:46	lyrics	buy track
Glad you made it lonely girl, glad you made the time Someone here to share the word ,someone i can find Far away they all ride out through the day & talk like they're all that Who's to say how love died out ? I'm not alone Glad you made it lonely girl ,glad you understand We live in another world ,they don't know this land Far away they all ride out through the day & talk like they're all that Who's to say how love died out ? I'm not alone & the lady died The lady had to go inside as the singer came pouring out that no one knew yet Then the fear was gone the music cried for everyone & in that moment we sang our hearts it all came through yeh We're all the lonely girl......

about

"The Big Idea" started out in March 2020 in the first lockdown..I hadn't been able to record any solo music for over 3 years as the "cubase" computer i'd previously used got destroyed in my move from Acocks Green to Moseley, Birmingham in 2017

Because of lockdown, i was generously allowed to borrow recording equipment from my employers (Nic & Liz) at Quench Arts & had a lovely room to record in the house where i was living at the time, kindly provided by my landlady & friend Kate Webster..

This good fortune coincided with a heatwave & a sudden massive burst of creativity, where a stack of new songs were being written. I gave a commitment to my best friend Collie to record 4 of these every 2 weeks & send them to her
.
No mega time-consuming fiddly drum programming or creating intricate basslines like previous times, just a back to basics no pressure, joyful fun approach- making simple recordings with a few harmonies & embellishments to capture the "spirit" of these new songs- as she suggested.
.
Between March & July 2020 i recorded 30 tracks & have picked 23 for this album, with a running order decided in September '20 by Collie & i..

Although there was no plan initially by me to make these into a proper "album" when i was recording them, the enthusiasm of my friends Collie & Jason Hyde to the material as a potential release when i went down to to Cornwall in September 2020 inspired me to see them that way too.
As did the love n appreciation of my amazing international friends Mike & Steven Highburger, Gitte Bechsgaard & Amanda Clemens who i sent individual tracks for listening to

So this album has ended up containing 14 songs written from march to may 2020, 6 songs from the previous 3 years & 3 others i hadn't recorded before & were at least 10 years old (The oldest "Sunlight On The Windshield" actually written way back in 1998 )

I relented on the strict "no bass / no drums" approach while working on the tracks in 2021 & have added them to a few songs i felt really needed them. I was also blessed by 3 guest musicians who kindly gave of their time & talent to make some of them shine a little brighter too....

credits

released October 19, 2023

All songs written by Steve Ison

Many thanx to Mark "Foxy" Robinson for violins on 6, 11 & 15...Also to Emma Reading for djembe on 18 & 22..Thanx to Liz Ralls for trumpet on 11 Also thanx to Nicola McAteer for her cello on 11 & 13..

All other instrumentation & production by Steve Ison..

Thanx to Colette Degiovanni (The Colliestar !) for her wonderful cover design & Tom Livemore for (as always) doing a great job with the mastering

Extra love & appreciation to my magical soul sister Collie again for her constant encouragement, feedback & support all along the way, without which this album would definitely not have been made...

Finally a big thank you to Nic & Liz who run the amazing Quench Arts charity for generously allowing me to borrow recording equipment during lockdown without which (again) this album wouldn't have been created

Hope you enjoy it !

""Marvellous piece of work, Steve. Quite English pastoral-sounding in places and lyrics as intriguing as ever!" ( Lorenz Jones)

""Nice album Steve, or should that be Double Album? An enjoyable listen from start to finish and the quality keeps on coming. Full of the sunny vibes of spring and summer 2020. Love it." (Bernard Davies)

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about

Steve Ison Birmingham, UK

Solo bedroom songwriter forever chasing the dream of the magical transcendent pop song.Also lead singer and guitarist in quirky multi-harmonising progressive popsters THE STRANGEST FEELING....Is guitarist and sings BVs in new wave/classic pop band ADHD
Finally plays guitar & sings BVs in strange dreampop band MELLOW VIBE ... more

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