In 2011, Leftwich released his debut album, "Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm," produced by Ian Grimble. The album achieved commercial success, peaking at number 35 on the UK charts. Critically acclaimed, it was praised by The Fly as a "majestic debut" and received positive reviews from publications like The Skinny and the Sunday Express, with the latter describing it as "lovely." Songs such as "Shine" gained popularity, becoming Spotify's "Most addictive track of 2014" and accumulating over 150 million global Spotify plays. Additionally, "Atlas Hands" was featured in the Zillow TV commercial titled "Lake House" in 2015. During the same year, Leftwich co-wrote the song "Grow" with British artist Frances, which was featured in an Amazon UK TV advert.
Leftwich's second album, "After the Rain," was released in August 2016. Following the album's release, he embarked on an extensive tour from April 2016 to August 2017, performing songs from both his second album and his debut. The tour covered various countries, including the UK, Canada, USA, China, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and several Asian countries such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Indonesia.
In recent years, Leftwich has released a series of single cover-tracks, including "Pure Morning" by Placebo, "Rebellion (Lies)" by Arcade Fire, "When You Were Young" by The Killers, and "Because of Toledo" by The Blue Nile. These releases showcase his versatility as an artist and his ability to reinterpret songs from diverse genres.
Throughout his career, Benjamin Francis Leftwich has made a significant impact, selling over 100,000 copies of his debut album and garnering millions of streams on digital platforms like Spotify. With his soulful folk-pop sound and introspective lyrics, he continues to captivate audiences around the world.
In the Open
Benjamin Francis Leftwich Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Beneath the full moon on the snow.
You turned to me before you turned to go.
You said I′m always rushing through the day,
With my thoughts like bullets in my brain.
And I don't need love it only gets in my way.
Still living for the weekend.
Do you shout into the wind when you′re alone.
Oh baby are you stoned still?
Fired up and heavy eyes.
Is your love still like a mission in the night.
When you're done with rolling all the dice,
And you've wrapped them up and thrown them to the sky.
Will you walk the river where we use to hide.
Oh baby are you free now?
Still living for the weekend.
Do you shout into the wind when you′re alone?
Oh baby are you stoned still?
Fired up and heavy eyes.
Is your love still like a mission in the night.
Do you really want to run along by, trails of gold and silver.
Don′t you want to throw your wishes out into the wild?
Do you really want to wake up to find, you just can't remember.
How you use to be.
Oh baby are you free now?
Still living for the weekend.
Do you shout into the wind when you′re alone.
Oh baby are you stoned still?
Fired up and heavy eyes.
Is your lust still like a mission in the night.
The lyrics of "In the Open" by Benjamin Francis Leftwich evoke a sense of introspection and longing for connection. The singer describes a moment of waiting for the morning beneath the full moon on the snow with someone who is about to leave. This sets the tone for the rest of the song, focusing on themes of rushing through life, love being a hindrance, and questioning one's freedom and state of being.
The singer seems to be reflecting on their own tendency to rush through life, with their thoughts consuming them like bullets in their brain. There is a sense of restlessness and a desire to break free from the constraints of everyday life, as expressed through the question of whether the person is "free now" and still living for the weekend. There is a sense of yearning for something more meaningful and fulfilling beyond the mundane routine.
The imagery of rolling dice and walking by the river where they used to hide suggests a sense of unpredictability and nostalgia. The questions posed about being stoned, fired up, and still on a mission in the night allude to a sense of searching for purpose and passion in life. The repetition of asking if love is still like a mission in the night emphasizes the desire for connection and meaning in relationships.
The final lines of the song focus on the idea of wanting to break free from the routine and embrace the unknown. The questions about throwing wishes into the wild and waking up to find oneself changed hint at a desire for transformation and growth. The recurring refrain of being free, living for the weekend, and shouting into the wind conveys a sense of searching for liberation and authenticity in a world that can feel confining and mundane. Overall, the lyrics of "In the Open" capture a sense of yearning for connection, purpose, and renewal in the face of life's uncertainties.
Line by Line Meaning
We stayed up waiting for the morning
We stayed awake anticipating the start of a new day
Beneath the full moon on the snow
Under the moonlight reflected on the snow
You turned to me before you turned to go
You looked at me before leaving
You said I'm always rushing through the day
You mentioned that I constantly move quickly through the day
With my thoughts like bullets in my brain
My mind is filled with racing thoughts
And I don't need love it only gets in my way
You don't believe you need love as it complicates things
Oh baby are you free now?
Are you liberated now?
Still living for the weekend
Are you still eagerly awaiting the weekend?
Do you shout into the wind when you're alone
Do you express your emotions in solitude?
Oh baby are you stoned still?
Are you still under the influence?
Fired up and heavy eyes
Intense and exhausted
Is your love still like a mission in the night
Is your love still a challenging pursuit?
When you're done with rolling all the dice
Once you've taken all the risks
And you've wrapped them up and thrown them to the sky
And you've let go and left the outcome to chance
Will you walk the river where we used to hide
Will you revisit the place where we used to seek refuge?
Do you really want to run along by trails of gold and silver
Do you truly desire to chase after wealth and luxury?
Don't you want to throw your wishes out into the wild
Wouldn't you prefer to send your dreams into the unknown?
Do you really want to wake up to find you just can't remember
Do you truly want to face the reality of forgetting who you used to be?
How you used to be
Who you were in the past
Writer(s): Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Howard Elliot Payne
Contributed by Colin N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MsTeher
Just so I can sing along.
We stayed up waiting for the morning
Beneath the full Moon on the snow
You turned to me before you turned to go
You said I'm always rushing through the day
With my thoughts like bullets in my brain
And I don't need love it only gets in my way
Oh baby are you free now
Still living for the weekend
Do you shout into the wind when you're alone
Oh baby are you stone still
Fired up on heavy eyes
Is your love still like a mission in the night
When you're done with rolling all the dice
And you've wrapped them up and thrown the to the sky
Will you walk the river where we used to hide
Oh baby are you free now
Still living for the weekend
Do you shout into the wind when you're alone
Oh baby are you stone still
Fired up on heavy eyes
Is your love still like a mission in the night
Do you really wanna run along behind
Trails of gold and silver
Don't you wanna throw your wishes out into the wild
Do you really wanna wake up to find
You just can't remember
How you used to be
Oh baby are you free now
Still living for the weekend
Do you shout into the wind when you're alone
Oh baby are you stone still
Fired up on heavy eyes
Is your love still like a mission in the night
@canadiangirl605
This is so perfect...another British gem.
@BenjaminLund5
Dear Ben, please stay at this talent and popularity level for ever. You are mint. From another Benjamin.
@RoYeah
Your music is pure perfection it's all i ever listen to lately
@johndoudoukjiansurf
Juuuust in time for winter and snowboarding season. THE TRUE CHAMPION - B.F.L.
@SausageLinks131
I've been looking for it, too! Seriously awesome song.
@OhReallyClazza
Addicted to this song...
@Setenay95
the lyrics are the truth. Idk if i can say that but i feel everything of this song. the music, the lyrics, emotions.. perfection.
@sarahnewez571
My friends dog just died and it struck me just as hard, this guys voice is so soothing. He has helped me a lot
@VictorXimenes
It's been a while since i last heard this. it's so good, totaly eargasm.
@Blanketwaves
The most calming voice.