This song came together quite early on. We had written the instrumental track and loved the feel. I wrote the lyrics and recorded a guide vocal at home. The guys heard it and loved how the words and music complemented each other.
This was the first track on XXV that Paul sung. It was hearing Paul sing Violet Sky in a studio audition that convinced us that he was the right man to take over the vocal duties.
The first outsiders to hear anything from XXV Richard Thomson and his girlfriend Belinda, and Rich came up to do a small feature for Prog Magazine. We played Violet sky to both of them, and Belinda, God bless he, burst into tears on hearing this song. We knew we were on to a winner.
I think this track is a jewel in our crown. Ron’s piano solo towards the end of the track is one of my favourite moments on the whole album..
There comes a point in the intro when Rons Keyboards swell and a beautiful vocal siren takes you by the hand and leads you to a place and a vista that none of us would ever want to behold, the absolute end of our existence.
A descending keyboard riff slowly guides you to the vocal and at this point I find it incredible that I must carry the narrative and ambience whilst so vocally exposed.
This came from another of those Pallas jam sessions. It is refreshing to be able to move into other musical areas every now and then. The smoky piano feel, the jazzy rhythm section, the nylon guitar and Paul’s “from the soul” vocal make this track very special for me.
I love everything about Violet Sky. In my humble opinion, it’s perfect.
An evocative, emotive track, with a really emotional vocal take from Paul. Lovely jazzy piano solo from Ron. Very minimal drum part, so as not to interrupt the “room” and space in the track
Sample
Lyrics
What would you do if this was the end of the world
Would you hold on to me so tightly like the first time we met
I want to tell you how much my heart wants to sing
If this is the end of all time I would not change a thing
Won’t you take my hand, climb up the highest hill
We’ll sit there side by side watching the end of the world
We’ll watch the cities burn, we’ll watch the seas run dry
Make love for the last time, under a violet sky
What would we do if this was the end of the world
Would you run for your life, try to survive, would we want to know why
No! In our last moment, I need to feel your love
As I kiss you goodbye, a sapphire explodes in a violet sky
We’ll watch the deserts burn, watch the river run dry
See the cities fall, under a violet sky
And when the moment comes
I will hold you near,
Look into my eyes
We will feel no fear…….
Would you hold on to me so tightly like the first time we met
I want to tell you how much my heart wants to sing
If this is the end of all time I would not change a thing
Won’t you take my hand, climb up the highest hill
We’ll sit there side by side watching the end of the world
We’ll watch the cities burn, we’ll watch the seas run dry
Make love for the last time, under a violet sky
What would we do if this was the end of the world
Would you run for your life, try to survive, would we want to know why
No! In our last moment, I need to feel your love
As I kiss you goodbye, a sapphire explodes in a violet sky
We’ll watch the deserts burn, watch the river run dry
See the cities fall, under a violet sky
And when the moment comes
I will hold you near,
Look into my eyes
We will feel no fear…….