David Gray (born 13 June 1968) is an English indie rock singer-songwriter. Gray released his first studio album in 1993 and received worldwide attention after the release of White Ladder six years later. It was the first of three UK chart-toppers in six years for Gray, the latter two of which also made the Top 17 in the US. White Ladder became the fifth best-selling album of the 2000s in the UK. Gray has been nominated for four Brit Awards – twice for Best British Male.
Gray was born in Sale and grew up in Altrincham before moving with his family to Solva, Pembrokeshire. He went on to attend the Carmarthenshire College of Art. He later attended the Liverpool School of Art.
Gray's first two albums A Century Ends and Flesh were issued in 1993 and 1994 respectively and led to Gray becoming popular in folk-rock circles, but both failed in terms of commercial sales.
In 1996 Gray released his third album, Sell, Sell, Sell. With his first two albums having been entirely composed of acoustic folk music, this album utilized his now-trademark blend of folk, alternative rock and electronics for the first time. Despite critical acclaim, the album did not chart, but the song "Late Night Radio" received some airplay on alternative UK radio stations.
Brush Stroke
with one brush stroke
i attempt to paint
a picture of you
your beautiful face
the soft lines
around your eyes
your hair blowing
in the gentle wind
sparkling eyes
that stop me
in my tracks
i trace your face
with my hands
so that i may
get a more accurate
sense of how
to draw you
but after
my loving hands
touch your face
i cannot paint
a single stroke
i am so entranced
so mesmerized
by your beautiful face
by your spell
YOU are poetry in motion
poetry in motion
i fear that i am
destined to fail
i'm just not
up to the task
how can i paint perfection
it would be
an exercise in futility
to try to paint
my lover's face
i know
it would be a mistake
to even try
because i simply can't
duplicate the beauty
of your face
just touching it
leaves me
weak in the knees
your body
is a work or art
i pay homage to
michaelangelo
as i trace the
outline of your hands
gliding my lips
across your fingertips
genius lover
genius lover
that's what you used to call me
because i know what you need
i know just how to please you
do you think it's just
a stroke of luck or perhaps
i've really thought about
what would give you
the utmost pleasure
no genius lover
just thoughtfulness
thoughts filled with you
and how thankful i am that
i was able to share some space
with the wonder of you
you make love to me
like i'm a work or art
i see the love light
in your eyes
and i feel so grateful
to have crossed paths
with the likes of you
oh, the poetry of you
the poetry of you