Learning piano from age 11, Clementine left school at 16 after failing most of his examinations. Following this, he had a dispute with his family and ended up in Camden Town, London, homeless and in psychological and financial difficulties. He relocated to Paris at age 19, where he spent a number of years busking and playing in bars and hotels in Place de Clichy while sleeping on the streets. Discovered busking in the Paris Métro, he was signed to Matthieu Gazier and Lionel Bensemoun's label Behind.
Clementine's first EP, Cornerstone, was released in June 2013 with three studio tracks. It was re-issued in October 2013 with three additional acoustic tracks.
His debut album, "At Least for Now", was released across Europe in January 2015. The album won the 2015 Mercury Music Prize.
His second album, "I Tell a Fly", was released in 2017.
"And I Have Been" is Clementine's third studio album, announced on 30 August 2022, and released on 28 October 2022.
More info at facebook.com/benjaminclementine and twitter.com/MrBClementine
London
Benjamin Clementine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the back of the grey caravan
Tomorrow he'll probably be
Jumping Parisian metro barriers
With a bottle in his hands
Sparkling, sparkling water mixed with peaches and rum
"Honestly I don't drink
But if I did this would be my favourite punch"
Walk out the door with her
He could see everyone dressed in black
A class that seem too far, too fetched
She said look at you, look at you, the game is over
Your cup is full, your cup is full
Stop praying for more exposure
It is obvious that you are trying
Dubious, stop or you die here
You're pretending but no one is buying
London, London, London is calling you
What are you waiting for?
What you searching for?
London, London, London is all in you
Why are you denying the truth?
"I might, I might, I might be boring you" he said
Although it's not clear as the morning dew
Though my preferred ways are not happening
I won't underestimate who I am capable of becoming
History will be made today
Is written boldly on his face
So clear you could hardly miss it
You could hardly miss it
For transcending the barriers
Of yesterday was and is the dream
On a road where Cleopatra comes and goes
Like fishes caught in ponds
Then thrown back for fun
She said, "Look at you, look at you, just pick a fleet"
Your cup is full, your cup is full
What have you not yet achieved?
It is obvious that you are trying
Dubious, stop or you die here
You're pretending but no one is buying
London, London, London is calling you
What are you waiting for?
What you searching for?
London, London, London is all in you
Why are you denying the truth?
"I might, I might, I might be boring you" he said
Although it's not clear as the morning dew
Though my preferred ways are not happening
I won't underestimate
Who I am capable of becoming
The song "London" by Benjamin Clementine paints a vivid picture of a young man who is living life recklessly and without much direction. The lyrics are full of metaphors and imagery that convey this sense of aimlessness and uncertainty. The first verse describes the singer sitting in the back of a caravan, drinking sparkling water mixed with peaches and rum. While he claims he doesn't drink, he confesses that if he did, this would be his favorite punch. This suggests that he is torn between indulgence and self-control, which is a theme that runs throughout the song.
The second verse sees the man walking out the door with someone and observing others dressed in black, implying they are attending a funeral. The woman tells him that his "cup is full" and he should stop trying to impress others. She urges him to stop pretending to be someone he's not and to focus on who he truly is capable of becoming. The chorus repeats the refrain "London, London, London is calling you" and questions what he's waiting for and why he's denying his truth. The song ends on a hopeful note with the singer acknowledging that while his preferred ways may not be happening, he won't underestimate who he is capable of becoming.
Overall, "London" is a powerful meditation on the search for identity, purpose, and meaning in life. The song's lyrics are rich with symbolism and metaphor, and they paint a vivid picture of a young man lost in his own uncertainty and indecision. The song is a call to action, encouraging the singer to pursue his dreams and become the person he is capable of being.
Line by Line Meaning
Now as he sits In the back of the grey caravan
The singer is currently sitting in the back of a vehicle.
Tomorrow he'll probably be Jumping Parisian metro barriers With a bottle in his hands
He will likely be jumping over the barriers of the Paris metro system tomorrow with an alcoholic beverage in hand.
Sparkling, sparkling water mixed with peaches and rum
The drink that the singer has is made up of water, peaches, and rum.
"Honestly I don't drink But if I did this would be my favourite punch" He said
He says that he does not drink, but if he did, this particular drink would be his favourite.
Walk out the door with her
The artist is leaving a location with a woman.
He could see everyone dressed in black A class that seem too far, too fetched
He observes that everyone is dressed in black and that they belong to a class that is distant and unattainable.
She said look at you, look at you, the game is over Your cup is full, your cup is full Stop praying for more exposure
The woman with the singer is suggesting that he has achieved enough and should not strive for further recognition or success.
It is obvious that you are trying Dubious, stop or you die here You're pretending but no one is buying
The woman accuses the artist of attempting to appear successful but not truly achieving it, and warns that he will fail if he continues in that manner.
London, London, London is calling you What are you waiting for? What you searching for? London, London, London is all in you Why are you denying the truth?
The artist is being urged to move to London and embrace the opportunities that await him there.
"I might, I might, I might be boring you" he said Although it's not clear as the morning dew
The artist acknowledges that he may be boring his companion, but it is not certain.
Though my preferred ways are not happening I won't underestimate who I am capable of becoming
Even if his current approach is not successful, the singer believes in his potential for growth and change.
History will be made today Is written boldly on his face So clear you could hardly miss it You could hardly miss it
The artist is determined to make a significant impact in his life and it is evident in his expression.
For transcending the barriers Of yesterday was and is the dream On a road where Cleopatra comes and goes Like fishes caught in ponds Then thrown back for fun
The singer sees breaking free from the limitations of the past as the ultimate goal, and likens the journey to a playful cycle of capture and release.
What have you not yet achieved? It is obvious that you are trying Dubious, stop or you die here You're pretending but no one is buying
The woman reminds the singer that he still has much to accomplish, and warns him again about the dangers of pretending to succeed without truly achieving it.
Although it's not clear as the morning dew Though my preferred ways are not happening I won't underestimate Who I am capable of becoming
The singer remains optimistic about his potential for growth and success, even if his current methods are not working.
Lyrics © WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC FRANCE
Written by: Benjamin Eric Breakspeare
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mr.thundersucklefuzzcanyon3386
***** I live in Lisbon. It's underrated.
It's cheap, beautiful and safe. + great weather (awesome food too)
One of the best places in the world to visit, especially with the crisis. Wherever you're from, things are probably gonna feel reaaaally cheap here. The people are great, too. A lot of history. But the Portuguese have quite the habit of undervaluing what they have.
So unless you've never been to Lisbon, I can't grasp why you wouldn't love Lisbon as well. :D
And yes, I do have a personal connection. Doesn't mean I'm wrong!
Have a great day :D
@neosomaliana
He was born and bred in London, but ran away to Paris as a teenager after failing school and getting kicked out by his parents who wanted him to be a lawyer. He lived homelessly for years whilst playing in bars and hotels. He's also a poet, greatly inspired by Sylvia Plath, William Blake and James Baldwin amongst others. He's a phenomenal autodidact who created his world from scratch, hence the otherworldly flair to his music
@stefanamirona7641
You could't have said better than this! Thank you!
@chronorust3359
I was expecting a story like that before I even heared it. He's super talented.
@fudashibalanza3711
Oh gosh he’s awesome
@PaulGeraskin
What a story! He is a hero!
@iandoherty2690
It's time for him to come home to London! Our beautiful city looks after its own
@wilozeykonian236
If Nina Simon had a child during her stay in Paris, this would be him. I can't stop listening to his music anymore.
@uchennaohajunwa7857
Absolutely concur
@vpolite1
Or maybe, Benjamin Clementine could exist without Nina Simon. Conservatives want to reduce everything that they are used to. There is a whole world beyond your limited world view.
@therealsWa
Great thought