Born on born 9th January 1987 in Paisley, Scotland, his father is of Italian descent and his mother Glaswegian, although his father's family have been in Scotland for four generations. Nutini had no formal music training, and was expecting to follow his father into the family fish and chip shop business. He was first encouraged to sing by his music-loving grandfather and a teacher at his school who recognised his talent. He left school to work as a roadie and to sell T-shirts for Speedway and spent three years learning the music business, performing live, alone and with a band, and working as a studio hand at Glasgow's Park Lane Studio.
His big chance came when he attended a concert for David Sneddon's return to his home town of Paisley at the beginning of 2003. Sneddon was delayed, and as the winner of an impromptu pop quiz, Nutini was given the chance to perform a couple of songs on stage during the wait. The favourable reaction of the crowd impressed another member of the audience, who offered to become his manager.
A Daily Record journalist, John Dingwall, saw him performing at the Queen Margaret Union, and invited him to appear live on Radio Scotland. Still only seventeen, he moved to London, and performed regularly at the Bedford pub in Balham whilst still legally too young to drink alcohol himself. Other radio and live appearances followed, including two live acoustic spots on Radio London, The Hard Rock Cafe, and support slots for Amy Winehouse and KT Tunstall.
His debut album, These Streets, produced by Ken Nelson (Coldplay/Gomez), was released on 17th July 2006, and immediately entered the U.K. album charts at number three. Many of the songs on the album, including "Last Request" and "Rewind", were inspired by a turbulent relationship with a girlfriend, and "Jenny Don't Be Hasty" is a true story about encounters with an older woman.
On 29th May 2009 Nutini released his second studio album, Sunny Side Up, after the first single from that album, "Candy", was released on 18th May. In July, he appeared on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, performing "Coming Up Easy". This was released as the second single from the album on 10th August.
Afterneath
Paolo Nutini Lyrics
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You know, baby
Ooh
Mm
Baby, baby
You know
What I want
Baby, baby, baby
Amid the chaos of that day
When all I could hear was the thunder of gunshots
And all I could smell was the violence in the air (you know that I want you)
I look back and I'm amazed
That my thoughts were so clear and true
That three words went through my mind endlessly
Repeating themselves, like a broken record
You're so cool
You're so cool
You're so cool
You're so cool (would you look at that?)
You're so cool (you're so cool, you're so cool, you're so cool)
I got your call on a red telephone
I was laid out still beside the ashtray
Trying to save a memory of you and me in a better time
When suddenly our madness was there for all the world to see
Carnage in good night despair
A deep dive into an open mind
On the lost highway of the caustic night
When we held each other's hand
And then afterneath the neon motel light
You said, "Let's knock 'em all down"
So I kissed your lips
As you took me in the violence thinking
This will be the end
This will be the end
This will be the end
You're so cool
You're so cool
You're so cool
You're so cool
You're so cool
You're so cool
You're so cool
You're so cool
You're so cool
You're so cool
The lyrics of "Afterneath" by Paolo Nutini depict a tumultuous and chaotic moment in time, where violence and despair are prevalent. The singer reflects upon this day and expresses surprise at how clear and true their thoughts were amidst the chaos. In their mind, three words repeated like a broken record: "You're so cool." These words are a testament to the power and allure of the person they are addressing, emphasizing their admiration and attraction.
The song then shifts to a different scene, where the singer receives a call on a red telephone. They are seen lying beside an ashtray, perhaps indicating a state of disarray or indulgence. They try to hold onto a memory of a better time between them and the person they desire. However, their madness is now exposed for the world to see, and there is a sense of despair and hopelessness in the air.
Amidst the darkness, the singer and their partner hold each other's hand and stand beneath the neon lights of a motel. It is in this moment that the partner suggests causing chaos and destruction, and the singer kisses them, embracing the violence, believing it could potentially be the end. The repetition of "You're so cool" throughout the song continues to emphasize their fascination with their partner, even in the midst of the madness.
Overall, "Afterneath" portrays a scene of violence, chaos, and attraction. It explores the themes of longing, desire, and the allure of danger.
Line by Line Meaning
Babe, babe
Darling, darling
You know, baby
You understand, my love
Ooh
Ah
Mm
Hmm
Baby, baby
My dear, my dear
You know
You are aware
What I want
What I desire
Baby, baby, baby
My love, my love, my love
Amid the chaos of that day
In the midst of the turmoil of that day
When all I could hear was the thunder of gunshots
When all that filled my ears were the sounds of gunfire
And all I could smell was the violence in the air (you know that I want you)
And my nostrils filled with the scent of aggression (you know I desire you)
I look back and I'm amazed
I reflect upon it and I'm astounded
That my thoughts were so clear and true
That my mind was sharp and genuine
That three words went through my mind endlessly
That three words repeated endlessly in my thoughts
Repeating themselves, like a broken record
Echoing over and over, like a damaged vinyl
You're so cool
You are incredibly impressive
Would you look at that?
Just observe that, will you?
I got your call on a red telephone
I received your call on a distinct red phone
I was laid out still beside the ashtray
I was lying motionless next to the ashtray
Trying to save a memory of you and me in a better time
Attempting to preserve a recollection of our past in happier moments
When suddenly our madness was there for all the world to see
When suddenly our insanity was exposed for the entire world to witness
Carnage in good night despair
Destruction mixed with hopelessness in the darkness of the night
A deep dive into an open mind
A profound exploration into an unguarded consciousness
On the lost highway of the caustic night
On the unknown path of the harsh, corrosive night
When we held each other's hand
When we grasped each other's hands
And then afterneath the neon motel light
And then beneath the neon illumination of the motel
You said, 'Let's knock 'em all down'
You proclaimed, 'Let's demolish them all'
So I kissed your lips
So I pressed my lips against yours
As you took me in the violence thinking
While you embraced me with violent thoughts
This will be the end
This will mark the conclusion
You're so cool
You are incredibly impressive
You're so cool
You are incredibly impressive
You're so cool
You are incredibly impressive
You're so cool
You are incredibly impressive
You're so cool
You are incredibly impressive
You're so cool
You are incredibly impressive
You're so cool
You are incredibly impressive
You're so cool
You are incredibly impressive
You're so cool
You are incredibly impressive
You're so cool
You are incredibly impressive
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gavin Rhys Fitzjohn, John Blease, Paolo Giovanni Nutini, Quentin Tarantino
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind