1) An Englis… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least four artists referred to as "Black":
1) An English singer-songwriter.
2) A Bangladeshi rock band.
3) A Malaysian singer-actor.
4) A hip-hop artist from New York.
1) Black is the name by which Liverpool born singer/songwriter Colin Vearncombe (26/5/1962 - 26/1/2016) identified himself through his music career. Dave Dix was also a member of the band from 1981 to 1988.
His fist gig was New Year’s Day, 1982 and his debut single 'Human Features' was released the same year. An erratic few years followed and he signed for WEA records in 1984, but the relationship was not fruitful and Vearncombe was dropped during the promotion period for the single ‘More Than The Sun.’
Black had two top-ten hits in the UK in 1987: 'Sweetest Smile' and 'Wonderful Life'. The album of this name reached no. 3 in the UK album chart, but following albums and singles did not enjoy similar commercial success. He was able to continue recording music, releasing 14 albums over the course of his life. His latest, ‘Blind Faith’, was released in 2015.
Vearncombe died in Cork, Ireland, on January 26, 2016, after suffering from head injuries in a car accident.
2) Black is a band from Bangladesh. Black is mainly an alternative band who sings in Bangla, the language of Bangladesh. The band formed in 1998 with four members - John, Tony, Asif, Spondon. Later the band line-up changed as Miraz and Tahsan joined the band in 2000 and Spondon and Asif left the band. Their first song was released in an underground mixed album "Charpotro", their first solo album Amar Prithibi was released in 2002 which is still a big hit. Their second album Utshober Por got released in 2003. Both albums were released from the label G-Series. Though their released music now defines them, and that has been a plethora of styles present in them from nu metal to emo like alternative, they had before that time performed in a lot of underground metal concerts covering the likes of Pantera. They are pretty known for their innovative stances on music and performance.
3) Hanifah bin Md Hanafiah , rather known mononymously by his stage name Black, is a Malaysian singer and actor who rose to fame after winning the third season of the local reality show Mentor. At the time, Black was the protege of renowned Malaysian singer Mas Idayu.
4) black is an artist and rapper from New York who released his debut album JAZZ FOR JESUS on September 17, 2021. His latest project In All Its Messiness, released September 6, 2022, is an EP containing barely mixed and unmastered demos.
Leave Yourself Alone
Black Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not for nothing did I call,
Reason is: you're often appalled.
Hold on now John, you never seemed cold!
I thought you were in love,
Then I guess that you're not,
Ah, but then the first thing you wrote
Was: Hold on now John,
Hold on now John.
And now you don't answer when I call,
You don't answer then.
You don't answer when I call,
Leave yourself alone,
Leave yourself alone.
Cabbages and kings in your dreams,
These are your dreams.
Maybe they're not quite what they seem.
Hold on now John,
The blame is undone.
Wash up the air,
Don't drive that car,
Never learn to play the guitar,
And leave yourself alone,
Leave yourself alone,
Leave yourself alone,
And leave yourself alone.
You don't answer when I call,
You don't answer then.
You don't answer when I call,
Leave yourself alone,
Leave yourself alone.
You don't answer when I call,
You don't answer then.
You don't answer when I call,
Leave yourself alone,
Leave yourself alone.
Sweeping up the ashes of rock,
Sweeping up the ashes of roll,
Years begin to take up their toll.
Though not for some
You've never seemed cold.
You don't answer when I call,
You don't answer then.
You don't answer when I call,
Hold on now John,
Hold on now John.
You don't answer when I call,
You don't answer then.
You don't answer when I call,
Leave yourself alone,
Leave yourself alone.
In "Leave Yourself Alone," Black sings about a strained relationship between two people, one of whom is named John. Black begins by saying that John is often appalled, suggesting that something about their interactions sparks negative reactions in John. The chorus repeats the line "Leave yourself alone," which appears to be a plea to John or a reminder to oneself to refrain from interfering in some aspect of their own life. Black references dreams and the idea that they may not be what they seem, perhaps alluding to the possibility that John's expectations or desires are unattainable or unrealistic. The second verse references sweeping up the ashes of rock and roll and the toll that time takes on people. Black concludes the song with a repetition of the earlier lyrics, indicating that the unresolved issues between Black and John remain.
The lyrics to "Leave Yourself Alone" maintain an air of mystery and ambiguity, which allows listeners to relate to the feelings of discord and uncertainty that it conveys. One possible interpretation is that Black has romantic feelings for John, but John is not reciprocating these feelings. It is unclear what aspect of their relationship needs to be left alone, but it could be some aspect of their emotional connection. Another possible interpretation is that Black and John are creative collaborators, and Black is frustrated with John's lack of engagement in this partnership. Finally, it is possible that the song is commenting on the difficulties of interpersonal relationships in general, particularly at a time when people may be more isolated and disconnected than ever before.
Line by Line Meaning
Not for nothing at all,
I had a reason for doing what I did.
Not for nothing did I call,
I had a purpose in contacting you.
Reason is: you're often appalled.
I think you are easily disgusted.
Hold on now John, you never seemed cold!
I always thought you were a warm person, John.
I thought you were in love,
I believed you were in a romantic relationship.
Then I guess that you're not,
I suppose I was wrong.
Ah, but then the first thing you wrote, was: Hold on now John, Hold on now John, Hold on now John.
But your first response to me was to ask me to wait.
And now you don't answer when I call, You don't answer then, You don't answer when I call, Leave yourself alone, Leave yourself alone.
And now you are avoiding my calls; I think you need to take some time to yourself.
Cabbages and kings in your dreams, These are your dreams. Maybe they're not quite what they seem.
You have strange dreams that might not be completely realistic.
Hold on now John, The blame is undone.
John, don't blame yourself for this situation.
Wash up the air, Don't drive that car, Never learn to play the guitar, And leave yourself alone, Leave yourself alone, Leave yourself alone, And leave yourself alone.
Try to clear the air, avoid distractions, and take some time for self-reflection.
Sweeping up the ashes of rock, Sweeping up the ashes of roll, Years begin to take up their toll. Though not for some You've never seemed cold.
Time is passing, and we are getting older, but you still seem warm and youthful to me.
You don't answer when I call, Hold on now John, Hold on now John. You don't answer when I call, Leave yourself alone, Leave yourself alone.
Please don't ignore me; take some time for yourself to figure things out.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: COLIN VEARNCOMBE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind