Hewerdine (born Mark Hewerdine) moved to Cambridge as a child, but returned to London in his late teens, and worked in a record shop. Suffering from agoraphobia, it was not a happy time of his life, and he was fired from his job after being wrongly accused of theft. Returning to Cambridge, he teamed up with a friend with similar experiences and started to write songs. They formed the short-lived Placebo Thing, later renamed The Great Divide. They were heard by Mike Scott of The Waterboys, who recommended them to Ensign Records, where they cut two commercially unsuccessful singles. In 1985 Hewerdine, working once again in a record shop in Cambridge, formed The Bible, recruiting jazz drummer Tony Shepherd. They released an album of songs through the independent Norwich label Backs Records called Walking The Ghost Back Home.
The Bible became a fairly successful independent band, with a cult following spread mostly through word of mouth and live performances. Two tracks from the first album, Graceland and Mahalia were released as singles, but did not achieve very significant sales. The album however was very well received by music pundits, and this brought the band to the attention of Chrysalis Records. Signing to Chrysalis, Graceland and another track, Honey Be Good were (re)released as singles, and reached the lower end of the UK singles chart. A new album, Eureka followed, but failed commercially. In 1988, Hewerdine decided to leave the group and pursue solo projects. Calum MacColl and Neill MacColl from the group went on to form Liberty Horses.
At around this time Hewerdine met US "new country" singer Darden Smith, and this set him off in a new direction. Working together, he and Smith released a collaborative album, Evidence. Hewerdine also worked simultaneously on new solo songs, largely based on his earlier traumatic experiences in London. Eventually these were distilled down to produce the Ignorance album, released in 1992. Invited by Tori Amos to play support promoting these songs, Hewerdine managed to find a new audience and Ignorance and a single from the album, History, did relatively well commercially.
As Hewerdine's star rose, he started to write for other artists, among them Eddi Reader, Clive Gregson and Christine Collister. The Bible reformed for a tour in 1994. Further solo album releases followed, such as 1996's Baptist Hospital and 1999's Thanksgiving. Meanwhile Hewerdine was asked by long-time friend Nick Hornby to contribute music to the soundtrack for the movie version of his book High Fidelity, whose subject (working in a record shop) was also very close to Hewerdine's experiences.
Hewerdine continues to write and perform his own songs. Harmonograph, released on MVine/Red Grape Records in February 2006, is a collection of his songs written for other artists such as Eddi Reader and Hepburn, recorded by Hewerdine for the first time. 2008 saw two mini CD releases - Toy Box 1 and Toy Box 2 with art work by Hewerdine's grandmother. Hewerdine continues to tour regularly, playing a set featuring songs from through out his career from The Bible to Toy Box.
A Letter to My Younger Self
Boo Hewerdine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't know where to start
Every time I begin, I just tear it apart
I could play the big "I am"
Show you how to be
What choices to make and what futures you'd see
And I know
How hard it is now
On Battersea Bridge with a mind full of rain
I know I could never go back there again
But if there was one thing I wish I could say
Let somebody love you
Let somebody love you
A letter to my younger self
What a weird idea
What would I tell you, and what would you hear?
Do I have to say to you
That we don't really change
After all I've been through how I'm still just the same
And I know
How hard it is now
But there'll come a day when you turn it around
Facin' your demons on the underground
And if there is one truth I'm sure I have found
Let somebody love you
Let somebody love you
Let somebody love you
Let somebody love you
Let somebody love you
The lyrics to Boo Hewerdine's song "A Letter to My Younger Self" convey a reflective and introspective message about self-discovery, growth, and the importance of allowing oneself to be loved.
In the first verse, the singer expresses their uncertainty on how to convey their thoughts and emotions to their younger self. They admit that every attempt they make to start writing the letter, they end up tearing it apart. This suggests that the singer is grappling with deep emotional turmoil and struggles to find the right words to communicate their experiences.
The second verse touches upon the temptation to adopt an arrogant and self-assured attitude, playing the role of someone who has it all figured out. They contemplate showing their younger self how to navigate life, make better choices, and envision different futures. However, despite their knowledge and growth, they acknowledge that it is impossible to go back to the same place mentally or emotionally. The refrain, "But if there was one thing I wish I could say, let somebody love you," reveals the crux of the message.
The second half of the song dives deeper into the idea of self-acceptance and self-love. The singer admits that the concept of writing a letter to their younger self is strange, as it forces them to confront the question of whether they have truly changed over time. Despite going through various experiences, the singer acknowledges that they have remained fundamentally the same person inside.
As the song continues, the singer offers hope to their younger self, emphasizing that although the current circumstances may be challenging, a day will come when things will turn around. This turning point is depicted by facing one's inner demons on the underground, a metaphor for confronting personal struggles and fears. The repetition of the refrain, "Let somebody love you," underscores the significant theme of the song, as it suggests that allowing oneself to be loved is a crucial step towards growth, healing, and finding happiness.
Overall, "A Letter to My Younger Self" encourages self-reflection, acceptance, and the importance of embracing love from others as a means of personal growth and transformation. It conveys the idea that even though we may not have all the answers or have overcome every obstacle, opening ourselves up to love and support can help us navigate the challenges of life.
Line by Line Meaning
A letter to my younger self
I am writing a message to the version of myself from the past
I don't know where to start
I am unsure of how to begin this letter
Every time I begin, I just tear it apart
Whenever I try to start, I end up ruining it
I could play the big 'I am'
I could pretend to be superior or important
Show you how to be
Teach you how to live or behave
What choices to make and what futures you'd see
Guide you in making decisions and shape the potential paths you might take
And I know
I am aware
How hard it is now
I understand the challenges you are facing currently
On Battersea Bridge with a mind full of rain
In a difficult emotional state, on Battersea Bridge, overwhelmed by thoughts
I know I could never go back there again
I am certain that I can never return to that specific place or state of mind
But if there was one thing I wish I could say
If there was only one message I could share
Let somebody love you
Allow someone to care for you deeply
A letter to my younger self
A written correspondence to my past self
What a weird idea
This notion seems strange or unconventional
What would I tell you, and what would you hear?
What advice or wisdom would I convey, and would you truly understand?
Do I have to say to you
Do I need to express to you
That we don't really change
The truth is, we remain fundamentally the same
After all I've been through how I'm still just the same
Despite everything I have experienced, I am fundamentally unchanged
But there'll come a day when you turn it around
However, there will be a time when you transform the situation
Facin' your demons on the underground
Confronting your inner struggles in a hidden or metaphorical way
And if there is one truth I'm sure I have found
And if there is one definite fact I have discovered
Let somebody love you
Allow someone to care for you deeply
Let somebody love you
Allow someone to care for you deeply
Let somebody love you
Allow someone to care for you deeply
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MARK NICHOLAS HEWERDINE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind