Nail rose to fame playing Leonard Jeffrey 'Oz' Osborne in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet in 1983, despite having no acting experience whatsoever (he had appeared as an extra in the movie Get Carter). Nail has also starred in a number of films and had a long musical career, having been a singer before he was picked out at an audition to play Oz.
After the first two series of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, Nail found himself typecast before creating the detective series, Spender, which he co-wrote with Ian La Frenais. The show ran for three seasons from 1990 to 1993 and also produced a tele-film. This was followed in 1995 by Crocodile Shoes, which he also created and starred as musician Jed Shepherd. After working with Madonna and Antonio Banderas in Alan Parker's Evita (1996) he co-starred in Clement & La Frenais' Sony movie 'Still Crazy' (1998). A song from the movie, 'The Flame Still Burns', sung by Nail, was nominated for a Golden Globe.
He has released a number of albums of his own compositions, the first being 'Take It Or Leave It' in 1986, 1991's 'Growing Up In Public' (featuring among others Gary Moore, David Gilmour and George Harrison), the last being 'Tadpoles In A Jar' in 1999 . His 'Crocodile Shoes' album of 1995 sold over a million copies. Mark Knopfler plays guitar on some tracks, a compliment that was repaid with an important plot reference to Oz's being a fan of Dire Straits in the third (revived) series of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (2002).
His work has resulted in five Bafta nominations (three in total for 'A.W.P.', one for 'Spender', one for 'Crocodile Shoes')), a Golden Globe nomination ( Best Original Song - 'Still Crazy'), an Ivor Novello nomination (for 'Ain't No Doubt) and numerous other awards and nominations.
Nailing: Following hot on the heels of the internet phenomenon "Rickrolling" where an internet user can provide a web link that that is relevant to the topic of an email or social networking message; the link actually takes the user through to a video of the Rick Astley song 'Never Gonna Give You Up". Similarly, "Nailing" follows the same concept, but takes the user to a link of Nail's 1992 No.1 single 'Ain't no doubt'. Thus the clicker of the link is said to have been "Nailed".
Show Me Heaven
Jimmy Nail Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the wind blows in it's cargo and the eyes begin to sting
And you can't see these Elysian Fields for the bodies on the ground
So you grope the dead for souvenirs that are lying all around
Lay your head down on my pillow and show me heaven
Lay your head down on my pillow and show me heaven
They said I was a hero and pinned a medal on my chest
But I will not kill another for now I know it to be wrong
That young man had a mother and for her I must be strong
So lift your skirt up a little higher and show me heaven
Lift your skirt up a little higher and show me heaven
In the morning they'll be waiting and before the day is done
I will make my peace with Jesus, I will walk toward the sun
And they'll take me to the bloody war, where the ones before me fell
And I'll go to meet my old friends, yes and my enemies as well
So put your sweet lips against my body and show me heaven
Put your sweet lips against my body and show me heaven
Show me heaven, show me heaven
Show me heaven, show me heaven.
The lyrics of Jimmy Nail's song Show Me Heaven seem to speak of the internal turmoil of a soldier dealing with the aftermath of war. The opening lines describe a morning where even the birds refuse to sing and the wind blows in with a heavy burden. The singer cannot see the beauty around them because of the bodies lying on the ground. In this state of despair, they grope the dead for souvenirs, possibly as a way to hold on to memories or even sanity.
As the song progresses, the singer reveals that they have killed a little boy and received a medal for doing so, but they now recognize that it was wrong. The realization sets in that the young man they killed had a mother, and the singer must be strong for her. This is a powerful moment of remorse that highlights the cost of war and the weight it carries on a soldier's conscience.
The chorus of the song is a plea for comfort and redemption. The singer asks their partner to show them heaven by laying their head down on their pillow or lifting their skirt up a little higher. These are intimate gestures that suggest that the singer is seeking solace in physical contact with their partner.
The final lines of the song suggest that the singer is ready to face their fate. They will make their peace with Jesus and walk towards the sun, towards a war where their old friends and enemies are waiting. The song ends with the singer asking their partner to put their sweet lips against their body and show them heaven. It is a poignant ending that speaks of the human need for connection and comfort.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a moment in the mornings when the birds refuse to sing
At times, life can be devoid of joy and positivity.
When the wind blows in it's cargo and the eyes begin to sting
Difficulties in life can be overwhelming and cause emotional pain.
And you can't see these Elysian Fields for the bodies on the ground
Sometimes it's tough to focus on the good when horrible things are happening all around you.
So you grope the dead for souvenirs that are lying all around
In times of chaos, we cling to anything we can as a reminder of better days.
Lay your head down on my pillow and show me heaven
Finding comfort in someone's love can be the only solace in times of darkness.
I killed a little boy today; I put a bayonet in his breast
The horrors of war can cause unimaginable suffering and a loss of humanity.
They said I was a hero and pinned a medal on my chest
Society often glorifies and rewards violence, even when it's morally unjustifiable.
But I will not kill another for now I know it to be wrong
Over time, people can recognize the immorality of their actions and vow to do better.
That young man had a mother and for her I must be strong
Every person we hurt or kill has loved ones who will live with the pain forever.
So lift your skirt up a little higher and show me heaven
Intimacy can be a fleeting moment of peace and respite from the harsh realities of life.
In the morning they'll be waiting and before the day is done
Death can come at any time and we must make peace with it before it arrives.
I will make my peace with Jesus, I will walk toward the sun
Religion can provide comfort and meaning in times of great distress.
And they'll take me to the bloody war, where the ones before me fell
The cycle of violence perpetuates and claims countless lives throughout history.
And I'll go to meet my old friends, yes and my enemies as well
In death, we are all equal and human connections persist beyond the grave.
So put your sweet lips against my body and show me heaven
Love can transcend death and provide comfort even after loss.
Show me heaven, show me heaven
All of the hardships and pain in life are ultimately worth it if we can find even a moment of joy and connection.
Contributed by Sadie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@greatwhite61967
Such a powerful & emotive song aimed at subject matter thats rarely spoken about in popular music & its dealt respectfully, with the powerful/soulful voice of Jimmy Nail...
I like many of his fans watched him grow & become a seasoned actor in his first outing as Oz Auf Wiedersehen Pet & though it had a brilliant ensemble cast Oz's character just came out at you more...
I was pretty pissed off when they didn't sign on for a 4th Season of " Spender " Especially after the cliffhanger ending of the very last episode in Season 3, but then again maybe that's all they wanted from that character & decided to leave it on that ending...
Just a few of his acting credits mentioned there but when I first heard him sing in an episode of Auf Wiedersehen Pet I was like everyone else as my jaw hit the floor...
What a voice he's got & though he's more of a country western fan we still don't hear enough of this man's beautiful voice...
All The Best Big Man...
.....
@Ructions
Can't thank my Grandmother enough for showing me these songs. Used to listen too Jimmy Nail everytime we were in the car. Amazing times 💖
@kenmyers7700
Big River and all his songs resonate with feeling - very gifted singer
@karenf1001
Ken Myers love Big River. Makes me cry every time . I’ve lived away from the North East for almost 40 years but it makes me feel really proud of my roots 😢☺️
@davidwalsh3439
Jimmy Nail is one very special singer. The emotion in his voice gets me every time he sings. This is a beautiful song performed to perfection.
@johnsheehy9754
This song is one of the best songs ever recorded.Well done Jimmy Nail
@GarySmith-fp2dx
i tottallly agree my friend
@jimtaylor55555
My favourite song of all time. A masterpiece ! More should be aware
@tkconnell
How can such a crazy ass PERFORMER /ACTOR has such great vocals and carry these lyrics with such emotion? A Miracle! Jimmy Nail !!
@christinethornhill
Completely blown away by this . I’ve just found you and my thanks for sharing what is truly a masterpiece. Bless Jimmy 🙏🏼 What a Man ❤️
@lyndacameron7461
Oooh! This song never fails to stir the senses, beautiful song Jimmy 😘