Born James Alan Hull in Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne on 20th February1945, he became a member of the band The Chosen Few alongside keyboard player Mick Gallagher in 1962. He supported himself one year by working as a nurse at a mental hospital while appearing as a folk singer and guitarist in local clubs before helping to form Brethren and Downtown Faction, which evolved into Lindisfarne in 1970. He also released a one-off solo single, "We Can Swing Together", which was re-recorded with the group on their first album, Nicely Out of Tune, and became a regular favourite in their stage performances.
As the group's most prolific songwriter and joint lead vocalist, Hull came to be regarded as its leader. In 1972, dissatisfied with the sound and critical reception of their third album Dingly Dell, he considered leaving the group, but instead he and joint lead vocalist Ray "Jacka" Jackson formed a new six-piece Lindisfarne the following year, leaving the three other original members to form Jack the Lad. He also released a first solo album, Pipedream, in the same year, and published a book of poems, Mocking Horse.
Lindisfarne disbanded in 1975, and Hull released a second solo album, Squire, then formed the short-lived Radiator, which also included drummer Ray Laidlaw of Lindisfarne and Jack the Lad. At the end of 1977 the original line-up of Lindisfarne reformed after a well-received Christmas show at the Newcastle City Hall which was broadcast on local radio. Thereafter he combined his musical career as front man of the group with a solo career. He was also a staunch Labour Party activist.
In 1994, he recorded Back to Basics, a live all-acoustic survey of the best of his songwriting from 1970 onwards. On 17th November 1995 whilst working on a new album, Statues & Liberties, Hull died suddenly of a heart thrombosis, at the age of fifty.
Breakfast
Alan Hull Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Moving warm with content, the memory of your body's scent
I watch your striptease in reverse, dip my head in your purse
Smiling softly you say, that I could not get much worse.
Then scream of the kettle making steam
Reminding you and me, we need a cup of tea
Intimate breakfast scene, with sausage, egg and beans
Talking gently and low, I ask you why you must go
Having asked it I know, instead of yes you'll answer no.
Oh no, I've got to go back home
My child is all alone, don't ring me on the phone
My husband will be there, it really isn't fair
He still belives in trust, I've got to catch my bus.
Looking through the window pane, watch her leaving me again
Wondering what's in her head, I slowly sink back to bed.
And I feel so empty that I must be dead.
The song "Breakfast" by Alan Hull is a beautiful narrative of the morning after a sensual love-making session, where the singer watches his partner get ready to depart, while reflecting on his feelings and their relationship. The opening lines depict an intimate and content moment, where the singer watches his partner as she wakes up and remembers the scent of her body. He portrays his fondness for her by dipping his head in her purse, while she smiles and jests about his poor state. However, the mood shifts as the kettle screams, bringing them back to reality.
The lyrics then describe a classic English breakfast scene, with various dishes such as sausages, eggs, beans, Weetabix, and jam. The setting remains intimate and low, as they talk about why she must go. The singer is aware of the answer and is resigned to it. She says that she needs to go back home, where her child is alone, and her husband expects her. It's apparent that she doesn't want to hurt anyone but is compelled to leave.
The song's last lines describe the singer's sorrow as he watches her depart through the window, feeling empty, and wondering about her thoughts. His last remark, "I feel so empty that I must be dead," is a metaphor for his emotional state of loneliness and loss.
Overall, the song "Breakfast" is a beautiful and melancholic story of love, longing, and regret. Alan Hull's voice and guitar-playing evoke a sense of intimacy and tenderness, while the lyrics create a vivid picture of the scene and the emotions involved in it.
Line by Line Meaning
In the morning you rise, night is still in your eyes
You wake up in the morning, but your mind is still stuck in last night's dream
Moving warm with content, the memory of your body's scent
You feel warm and satisfied, and the memory of your lover's scent lingers on you
I watch your striptease in reverse, dip my head in your purse
I see you getting dressed, and smell your perfume while looking at your purse
Smiling softly you say, that I could not get much worse.
You smile and tell me that things could be worse, but I'm not convinced
Then scream of the kettle making steam
The kettle starts boiling and makes a loud noise
Reminding you and me, we need a cup of tea
We both realize we need a cup of tea to start the day
Intimate breakfast scene, with sausage, egg and beans
We have a cozy breakfast together, with sausages, eggs, and beans
Weetabix and jam and lightly grilled brown ham.
We also have Weetabix cereal with jam, and lightly grilled brown ham
Talking gently and low, I ask you why you must go
We have a quiet conversation, and I ask why you need to leave
Having asked it I know, instead of yes you'll answer no.
I already know that you'll say no, even before you answer
Oh no, I've got to go back home
You realize you need to go back home
My child is all alone, don't ring me on the phone
You remind me not to call you, because your child is home alone
My husband will be there, it really isn't fair
Your husband will be home, and it's not fair to him that you're here with me
He still believes in trust, I've got to catch my bus.
Your husband still trusts you, so you need to catch your bus back home
Looking through the window pane, watch her leaving me again
I watch you leave through the window, and it hurts to see you go again
Wondering what's in her head, I slowly sink back to bed.
I wonder what you're thinking, and I feel depressed as I go back to bed
And I feel so empty that I must be dead.
I feel so empty inside that it seems like I'm already dead
Contributed by Jake D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.