Colin Vearncombe, better known as ‘Black’, died recently. His musical peak (commercially) was in the 80s but he continued to make good music and write deep lyrics throughout his career even though in my opinion he never got the appreciation he deserved. In some ways I’d compare him to Morrissey, and in some ways I even think he was better…
…But we are without Black/Colin now, though his music remains. In the song ‘Wonderful Life’, which he’s best known for, he sings to a rather upbeat tune, repeating “It’s a wonderful, wonderful life.” And yet, the song is full of sad words: “Here I go out to sea again”…”Look at me standing here on my own again”…”I need a friend, oh I need a friend to make me happy and not so alone”…
Does he find happiness or friendship in the song? I wonder. Is it possible to be happy all the time? No way!
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
-Proverbs 18:24
Thank you for the music Colin.
