Brady began performing as a hotel piano player in Donegal at the age of sixteen and graduated to being guitarist, during the 1960s, in two rhythm and blues bands: Rockhouse and the Cult. There followed a stint with the Johnstons as a guitarist and singer that ended in 1974, and a shorter one with Planxty that saw Brady touring extensively but recording no albums. In 1976, Brady recorded an album with Andy Irvine that he now regards as his best. Welcome Here Kind Stranger, released in 1978 was the summation of his interest in Irish music and was followed in 1981 by the appropriately named Hard Station, Brady's engagement with commercial rock.
Brady went on to record several other albums and collaborated with Bonnie Raitt and Richard Thompson. In 2006 he collaborated with Cara Dillon on the track "The Streets of Derry" from her album "After the Morning". He has also worked with Fiachra Trench.
Rainbow
Paul Brady Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somethings happening in this mixed up heart of mine,
Used to be I'd look at you,
The only colour I could see was blue on blue,
But heaven leant a helpinghand,
Now each day I see you opening like a fan,
Seems I never knew that part of you,
Gather all around me,
Rainbow Oh La La La,
You were like a rainbow Oh La La La,
I can feel my love grow,
Underneath your rainbow.
Blue heart Oh La La La,
Time to make a new start Oh La La La,
I'm about to roll the floor,
Underneath your rainbow.
I was living with a worried mind,
Wondering if we would ever find
The magic that we used to know,
Or would it be there's no place to go.
Now I know what's best,
Magic needs a little time to rest,
Heaven opened up my eyes,
Eachtime I look at you brings a new surprise.
The song "Rainbow" by Paul Brady is a love song that describes the singer's realization of his love for someone. The opening line, "It's like I see you for the very first time," sets the stage for the song, portraying a sense of revelation and newfound appreciation for the subject of the singer's affection. The next line, "Somethings happening in this mixed up heart of mine," suggests a shift in the singer's emotional state, implying that he has finally found clarity in his feelings.
The singer goes on to describe how he used to look at the person but only saw "blue on blue." However, "heaven leant a helping hand," and the singer is now able to see more colors, and "each day I see you opening like a fan." He admits that he never knew the person in question before, but now all he wants to do is be surrounded by them and "can't take my eyes off you."
The chorus of the song is catchy and simple, with the word "Rainbow" repeated several times. The singer describes this person as like a rainbow, and he can feel his love grow underneath it. The song implies that the singer and the person he is referring to have some magical connection, which was lost but has now been found. The song's overall message is one of hope, that even when things seem to be falling apart, magic can come back in its own time.
Line by Line Meaning
It's like I see you for the very first time,
I am experiencing a renewed sense of awe and wonder at the sight of you as if it were the first time.
Somethings happening in this mixed up heart of mine,
My heart is experiencing a transformation, but it's a bit of a mess right now.
Used to be I'd look at you,
In the past, when I looked at you.
The only colour I could see was blue on blue,
I only saw shades of blue, as if wearing blue-tinted glasses.
But heaven leant a helping hand,
Divine intervention occurred, and now things are different.
Now each day I see you opening like a fan,
Every day, I see new sides of you and your personality slowly unfurling, like a fan being opened up.
Seems I never knew that part of you,
I am discovering qualities about you that I never knew existed.
Gather all around me,
I am surrounded by these newfound discoveries, and they are overwhelming me.
I can't take my eyes off you.
I am mesmerized and captivated by you, and I can't look away.
Rainbow Oh La La La,
I compare you to a rainbow.
You were like a rainbow Oh La La La,
You were like a burst of color and joy, like a rainbow.
I can feel my love grow,
I feel my love for you deepening and becoming stronger.
Underneath your rainbow.
In the midst of your multi-hued personality.
Blue heart Oh La La La,
My heart was once full of sorrow and loneliness, like the color blue.
Time to make a new start Oh La La La,
It's time to turn over a new leaf and start fresh.
I'm about to roll the floor,
I'm feeling optimistic, as if I can dance and twirl with joy.
Underneath your rainbow.
In the vibrant, hopeful atmosphere you provide.
I was living with a worried mind,
I used to be anxious and stressed all the time.
Wondering if we would ever find
Questioning whether we would ever rediscover the magic we once shared.
The magic that we used to know,
The enchantment and happiness we once experienced.
Or would it be there's no place to go.
Or if there was no way to reignite our passion.
Now I know what's best,
I have come to realize what is truly important.
Magic needs a little time to rest,
The enchantment between us needed some time to recover and rebuild.
Heaven opened up my eyes,
Divine intervention allowed me to see things clearly now.
Eachtime I look at you brings a new surprise.
Every time I look at you, I discover something new and unexpected about you.
Writer(s): Paul Brady
Contributed by John J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Peter O'Brien
This is what happens when real musicians get together. Joy!!!
jimmydutwo
Look at the joy on everyone's face throughout the song as well as the very end with not only Paul but Jerry Douglas, Tim O'brien, Darryl Scott, the tin whistle player, the mandolin player as well as the singers' joy and fun on their faces!!!!
soubbotnik
Karen Matheson and Edie Rider having a ball as chorists ! This is the VIP music room of heaven !
riojcp
Brady is a freakin' genius.
Austin Walsh
a true master of his art wow great stuff
Raymond Dixon
A who's who of real musicians playing real music. Great stuff.
JigglyPuff1961
Love it!
Leo Bluesy
great song and performance
Richard Stewart
Brilliant !!! Such Talent , Having a great time .
Kitty Meekins
Wonderful