CdeB Mailing List Review
Copyright (c) 1996, Diane Scholfield
All rights reserved
Flying Colours
Chris de Burgh
1988
A&M Records
The follow-up album to "Into the Light," which introduced Chris de Burgh to Americans for the first time, "Flying Colours" has some of his best-crafted songs, both lyrically and musically. The collection also offers a good mix of what makes Chris de Burgh - intimacy, deep religious symbolism, The Life Beyond, whimsy, stories of battle and religious references. About the only element missing in this album is the Middle Ages Chris, but that's a small price to pay for such a complete album.
"Sailing Away" - A breezy song of longing for new worlds, whether they be found through travel or in the loving arms of another. This song, with its beautiful orchestration, is a great kickoff to the album.
"Carry Me (Like a Fire in Your Heart)" - This is the one Chris de Burgh song I must never listen to on my car stereo, because it is at the same time the saddest and most comforting song I've ever heard, and I always get choked up. Addressed to the loved ones of someone who has just died, it promises that someday we will know why our loved ones must go, that we will be reunited with them, and that "When you need a light in the lonely night/Carry me like a fire in your heart." If you can listen to this and feel nothing...,well, my friend, get some help.
"Tender Hands" - Just when you've settled into the bittersweet feelings of the previous song, Chris yanks your emotions toward the sensual. "Tender Hands" evokes images and passions that really should not be described in detail on a family Web site! It's a great song to have in the background when you've brought that Special Someone to your flat and you're hoping to take the relationship to the next level.
"A Night on the River" - I've always wondered why this tale of a lovers' spat followed the ultra-sexy "Tender Hands" on this album. The lyrics and music have a touch of whimsy, causing the listener to chuckle at the poor man's plight - he's naked and frozen at the side of a lake when he took his sweetheart swimming, they fought, and she took off with the car and his clothes. There's a hint of a happy ending, though.
"Leather on My Shoes" - This song suggests a story of someone, perhaps a refugee, leaving his home forever to fulfill his dream "on the freedom road." Perhaps it's meaningful to someone who has been in this situation, but for me, it's the least memorable song on the album. Its saving grace is a good sing-along melody.
"Suddenly Love" - A pleasant tribute to the moment when a relationship turns from gee-aren't-we-having-a-great-time romance into no-turning-back love.
"The Simple Truth (a child is born)" - This follows a recurring Chris DeBurgh theme: Why does the world war over natural resources, religious differences and territory when life, children and home are what's important? He has written better songs in this genre, but the message is still an important one.
"Missing You" - This love song's strong point is a singable melody and a chorus that lingers pleasantly in the brain. Pleasant words, pleasant tune, a pleasant experience.
"I'm Not Scared Anymore" - This is a powerful love song that conveys how having your loved one lying next to you can take away the evil lurking in the dark and empower you to face whatever awaits you the next morning.
"Don't Look Back" - Great tune with a pulsing rock beat. At face value, the lyrics deal with sexual temptation, but this is one of those Chris de Burgh songs that hints at a deeper symbolism.
"Just a Word Away" - Chris' simple tribute to his baby son. It's just Chris and his guitar (with a little harmony toward the end), which provides a touching contrast to the more elaborately orchestrated songs on this album.
"The Risen Lord/The Last Time I Cried" - Though these are listed as separate songs on the album, the former is really an introspective introduction to the latter. As he so often does, Chris leaves his listeners with a lengthy, grand, haunting song designed to spark contemplation about war and religion.
File last modified on October 11th, 1996