After building up a reputation with his gigs across the UK, Howard was eventually asked to sign to Island Records. His first album, Every Kingdom, was released on October 3, 2011 and debuted at #7 on the UK album chart. It sold in excess of 1 million copies globally, received a Mercury Music Prize nomination, and was the catalyst for Ben picking up two Brit Awards in 2012 for British Breakthrough and British Solo Male Artist.
The follow up, 'I Forget Where We Were' was released on 20th October 2014 through Island Records. It was produced by Ben and his drummer Chris Bond at Start Point Farm Studios in Devon.
www.benhowardmusic.co.uk.
Keep Your Head Up
Ben Howard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The spaces that have grown between us
And I cut my mind on second best
Oh, the scars that come with the greenness
And I gave my eyes to the boredom
Still, the seabed wouldn't let me in
And I try my best to embrace the darkness
In which I swim
Now walking back, down this mountain
The strength of a turnin' tide
Oh the wind so soft, and my skin
Yeah, the sun so hot upon my side
Oh, lookin' out at this happiness
I searched for between the sheets
Oh feelin' blind, I realize
All I was searchin' for, was me
Oh-oh-oh, all I was searchin' for was me
Oh yeah
Keep your head up, keep your heart strong
No, no, no, no, keep your mindset, keep your hair long
Oh my, my darlin', keep your head up, keep your heart strong
Na, oh, no, no, keep your mind set in your ways
Keep your heart strong
And I saw a friend of mine the other day
And he told me that my eyes were gleamin'
Oh, I said I'd been away, and he knew
Oh, he knew the depths I was meanin'
And it felt so good to see his face
All the comfort invested in my soul
Oh, to feel the warmth of his smile
When he said, "I'm happy to have you home"
Oh-oh-oh, I'm happy to have you home
Oh yeah
Keep your head up, keep your heart strong (keep your head up, keep your heart strong)
No, no, no, no, keep your mindset, keep your hair long (keep your head up, keep your heart strong)
Oh my, my darlin', keep your head up, keep your heart strong
No, no, no, no, keep your mind set in your ways
Well keep your heart strong
'Cause I'll always remember you the same
Oh, eyes like wildflowers, oh with your demons of change
(Keep your head up, keep your heart strong)
(Keep your head up, keep your heart strong) may you find happiness here
(Keep your head up, keep your heart strong)
(Keep your head up, keep your heart strong)
May all your hopes all turn out right
(Keep your head up, keep your heart strong)
(Keep your head up, keep your heart strong)
(Keep your head up, keep your heart strong) no, no, no, no
(Keep your mindset, keep your hair long)
(Keep your head up, keep your heart strong) Oh my, my darlin'
(Keep your head up, keep your heart strong)
(No, no, no, no, keep your mindset in your ways)
(Keep your heart strong)
'Cause I'll always remember you the same
Oh, eyes like wildflowers, oh with your demons of change
The song "Keep Your Head Up" by Ben Howard is about the struggles and challenges of life and how to overcome them. The opening line "I spent my time, watching the spaces that have grown between us" suggests that the singer has been reflecting on a relationship that has slowly deteriorated. The second line "And I cut my mind on second best" indicates that the singer may be struggling with feelings of inadequacy or failure. The third line "Oh, the scars that come with the greenness" suggests that the singer is inexperienced or naive and may have made mistakes that they regret.
The lyrics go on to describe the difficulties the singer has faced, particularly with the sea, which is a metaphor for the challenges of life. The chorus, "Keep your head up, keep your heart strong," is a reminder to persevere and stay positive, even in hard times. The second verse describes the singer's return from their journey, and the joy they feel when they see an old friend. The singer realizes that "All I was searching for was me" and learns to accept themselves for who they are.
Overall, "Keep Your Head Up" is a song about resilience, self-acceptance, and the importance of staying positive in difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
I spent my time, watching
I spent my time observing the voids between us
The spaces that have grown between us
The gaps that exist between us have grown further apart
And I cut my mind on second best
I got hurt by settling for less than what I deserved
Oh, the scars that come with the greenness
The mark that comes with naivety has its remnants
And I gave my eyes to the boredom
I got sucked into a monotonous routine
Still, the seabed wouldn't let me in
I felt like I was drowning in the depths of the ocean
And I try my best to embrace the darkness
I try to cope with the dark and difficult times
In which I swim
I am struggling to keep my head above water
Now walking back, down this mountain
I am coming down from the heights of my struggles
The strength of a turnin' tide
The power of the changing circumstances
Oh, the wind so soft, and my skin
I feel the gentle breeze and the warmth of the sun
Yeah, the sun so hot upon my side
The sun shining on me feels pleasant and refreshing
Oh, lookin' out at this happiness
I am taking in the peaceful and joyful surroundings
I searched for between the sheets
I was searching for happiness in all the wrong places
Oh feelin' blind, I realize
I was blind and unaware of the true source of happiness
All I was searchin' for, was me
I needed to look within myself to find true happiness
Keep your head up, keep your heart strong
Stay positive and keep your emotions sturdy
No, no, no, no, keep your mindset, keep your hair long
Keep your eyes focused and keep your hair uncut
Oh my, my darlin', keep your head up, keep your heart strong
My beloved, stay strong and keep a positive attitude
Na, oh, no, no, keep your mind set in your ways
Do not allow your values and principles to be shaken
'Cause I'll always remember you the same
I will always remember who you truly are
Oh, eyes like wildflowers, oh with your demons of change
Your eyes are like wildflowers, but you struggle with internal changes
May you find happiness here
I hope you find joy and contentment in this place
May all your hopes all turn out right
May all your aspirations and dreams come to fruition
(Keep your head up, keep your heart strong)
Stay positive and emotionally resilient
(Keep your mindset, keep your hair long)
Stay focused and keep your hair uncut
(Keep your head up, keep your heart strong) Oh my, my darlin'
Stay positive and strong, my love
(No, no, no, no, keep your mindset in your ways)
Do not let go of your principles and values
(Keep your heart strong)
Stay emotionally robust
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Benjamin John Howard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dexdalador
Mama Aya just reading it as I'm going through a tough period of my life, with ups and downs, feeling lost etc..
Thank you for your post, it's really uplifting!
I turn to music as well when feeling lost and low, there's another song from him, Old Pine, which was so uplifting in these times, fell in love with the song immediately. Now this one.
Do you know any other good songs or artists whos music helped you and similiar to these 2 songs, and are uplifting and comforting?
thanks anyways!
@themainmartian
I spent my time watchin' the spaces that have grown between us.
And I cut my mind on second best or the scars that come with the greeness.
And I gave my eyes to the boredom, still the seabed wouldn't let me in,
And I tried my best to embrace the darkness in which I swim.
I'm walkin' back down this mountain
With the strength of a turnin' tide
Oh the wind's so soft on my skin,
The sun so hard upon my side.
Oh lookin' out at this happiness,
I search for between the sheets.
Oh feelin' blind and realize,
All I was searchin' for was me.
Ooh all I was searchin' for was me.
Keep your head up, keep your heart strong.
No, no, no, no.
Keep your mind set, keep your hair long.
Oh my my darlin' keep your head up, keep your heart strong.
No no no no, keep your mind set in your ways, keep your heart strong.
I saw a friend of mine the other day,
And he told me that my eyes were gleamin'.
Oh I said I had been away, and he knew,
Oh he knew the depths I was meanin'.
And it felt so good to see his face,
Or the comfort invested in my soul.
Oh to feel the warmth of a smile,
When he said "I'm happy to have you home.
Ooh I'm happy to have you home."
Yeah, keep your head up, keep your heart strong.
Oh, no, no, no, no.
Keep your mind set, keep you hair long.
Oh my my darlin', keep your head up, keep you heart strong.
No no no no, keep your mind set in your ways,
Keep your heart strong.
'Cause I'll always remember you the same.
Oh eyes like wild flowers within demons of change.
May you find happiness there,
May all your hopes all turn out right.
Ooh may you find happiness there,
May you find warmth in the middle of the night.
Yeah, keep your head up, keep your heart strong.
Oh, no, no, no, no.
Keep your mind set, keep you hair long.
Oh my my darlin', keep your head up, keep you heart strong.
No no no no, keep your mind set in your ways,
Keep your heart strong.
'Cause I'll always remember you the same.
Oh eyes like wild flowers within demons of change.
@radicalhonesty3628
I try to process my thoughts as I watch this video,
I mostly feel happy and light and grateful,
and even playful... and I just pray...
that the past doesn't get in the way
of my happiness...
and that all my stresses don't overwhelm me...
that they may all just dissolve
into the nothingness from which they came...
and...
there's a person I want...
fuck, I have such a HUGE
damn crush on this person!!
and I just want them to want me,
just as I am. to need me, to love me, to hold me,
to desire me, to kiss me, to belong to me...
to long for me...
I pray for true love.
@krishuntley495
My wife and I both enjoyed this song, sadly she died from cancer aged 38 in Nov 2019.
I haven't listened to this song since until today and I get a mixed bag of emotions, mostly a broken heart but this song will help me as I move forward. Such a great song
@dirkdiggler7727
Condolences friend
@jimpeters713
best wishes brother, stay strong, u got this
@l23o57
Kris Huntley sorry for your loss wish you all happiness stay strong 💪
@jillianperkins3207
Thinking of you xxx can't begin to imagine your pain.
@paulorr1987
Kris Huntley ❤❤
@waynefinnegan4339
Still listening in 2024 😊
@daranphilipson1025
Here in April 2020..... think a lot of people need to listen to this great song right now.
@walshydonno3241
I didnt listen to it for years and came back for a listen because of this dreadful year
@catwill8587
walshy donno. keep your head 👆 up