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.
London
Ben Howard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pull these feet far from the ground
Because this, this city ain't no friend of mine
Ain't no friend.
All i can do
When the tracks stop at the final destination
The weariness and silences of such a crowded situation here.
All i can do
When every brick, every bar, every elegance i see, i see her face,
Is just push on, just push on through,
These embers of memories that float from the fire, from the fire of this place.
So don't give up on me now,
Oh these legs that'll walk me home.
Because it's only concrete and cars,
It's only sirens and missing stars,
It's only whiskey and disregard
In the smallest hours here, when i feel alone.
All i can do
when these lights, they haunt me like orchids in a graveyard,
Is just just push on, just push on through
These faces of dust and stone,
The dirt and bone of loss.
So don't give up on me now,
Oh these legs that'll walk me home.
Because it's only concrete and cars,
It's only sirens and missing stars,
It's only whiskey and disregard
In the smallest hours here, when i feel alone.
..and i hope, Paris is as beautiful as i've been told
and that everything you do is galvanised in gold.
The song "London" by Ben Howard is a melancholic reflection on the city of London, and how it affects the singer's emotions. The opening lines of the song express the singer's desire to share his experience of the city with someone else, but also his awareness that the city is not his friend. He wishes he could escape the city and the weariness it brings, and his longing for an escape intensifies as the song progresses.
The lyrics of "London" are mainly a description of the sights and sounds of the city, and how they evoke memories of lost love. In each verse, the singer describes a different aspect of his experience, such as the train station, the streets and buildings, and the nightlife. Despite the sadness and loneliness expressed in the lyrics, the refrain provides a glimmer of hope. The singer asks the listener not to give up on him, as he walks home on his own.
One interesting aspect of the song is the intricate guitar work, which includes fingerpicking and unusual chord progressions. Ben Howard is known for his acoustic guitar skills, and "London" is a good example of his style. The song was released on his debut album "Every Kingdom" in 2011 and has become a fan favorite. "London" showcases Howard's ability to write poetic and introspective lyrics, and his unique voice, which has been compared to musicians like Nick Drake and Damien Rice.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, how i wish i could drag you down here,
How I deeply desire that I could bring you to this place
Pull these feet far from the ground
To physically remove oneself from the present location
Because this, this city ain't no friend of mine
This city is not a kind, comforting or familiar place
Ain't no friend.
This city is unsupportive
All i can do
The only option available to me
When the tracks stop at the final destination
Upon arrival at the final destination of a train journey
Is just push on through,
To continue despite difficulty or discomfort
The weariness and silences of such a crowded situation here.
The fatigue and quietness experienced in the midst of a densely populated environment
When every brick, every bar, every elegance i see, i see her face,
The sight of every structure, drinking establishment and sophistication evoke memories of a specific person
These embers of memories that float from the fire, from the fire of this place.
Memories that resurface, ignited by the environment that surrounds the individual
Because it's only concrete and cars,
This place is simply characterized by buildings and vehicles
It's only sirens and missing stars,
The only sounds that can be heard are emergency vehicle sirens and the stars in the sky can't be seen
It's only whiskey and disregard
The only way to deal with the environment is to drink alcohol and ignore it
In the smallest hours here, when i feel alone.
During the early hours of the morning, when a person may feel the most isolated
When these lights, they haunt me like orchids in a graveyard,
The artificial lights have a ghostly, unsettling quality
These faces of dust and stone,
The countenances of people passing by seem haggard and lifeless
The dirt and bone of loss.
The debris and essence of loss is palpable
And i hope, Paris is as beautiful as i've been told
An expression of desire that another city, Paris, will be as wonderful as it is reputed to be
And that everything you do is galvanised in gold.
An aspiration that everything one's loved one does will be exceptional
Contributed by Chloe B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@digger678
Oh, how I wish I could drag you down here,
Pull these feet far from the ground
Cause this, this city ain't no friend of mine
Ain't no friend. All I can do
When the tracks stop at the final destination
Is just push on through,
The weariness and silences of such a crowded situation here. All I can do
When every brick, every bar, every elegance I see, I see her face,
Is just push on, just push on through,
These embers of memories that float from the fire, from the fire of this place. So don't give up on me now,
Oh these legs that'll walk me home. Because it's only concrete and cars,
It's only sirens and missing stars,
It's only whiskey and disregard
In the smallest hours here, when I feel alone. All I can do
When these lights, they haunt me like orchids in a graveyard,
Is just just push on, just push on through
These faces of dust and stone,
The dirt and bone of loss. So don't give up on me now,
Oh these legs that'll walk me home. Because it's only concrete and cars,
It's only sirens and missing stars,
It's only whiskey and disregard
In the smallest hours here, when I feel alone. And I hope, Paris is as beautiful as I've been told
And that everything you do is galvanized in gold
@TheMrCrown
Dear writer of these lyrics,
this night you safed my very life! Your words healed my lonely heart.
Thank you!
@tylercron5971
TheMrCrown Ben Howard writes all of his lyrics and every single song is beautiful
@RensVinke
Just remember whenever you look up at the sky and feel lonely you are watching it together with millions of others who feel the same.
@benjaminwolf6011
Everytime with his lyrics. Just way too well written songs 😍
@harryb7552
hope you’re doing well
@prew123
I still don't understand why these songs aren't on spotify... this song is magical
@polarbeartom9416
My all time favourite song.......the fact I can’t listen to this song anywhere but here upsets me. I want it in Apple Music or Spotify. It needs to be out there. This song needs to be other peoples favourite
@wshutson0304
I just cried because I found more undiscovered music by Ben! It’s so beautiful!
@RaphaelNether
The feeling and subjectivity that emanate from Ben's songs is unbelievable.
Thank you Ben, you are the best we have
@spacesoftime
This song reminds me of someone I knew who's living in London now... I miss you, you know