Before her days in Ash, Hatherley was playing in the obscure punk rock band, Nightnurse, from the age of 16. They received moderate success, and Ash frontman Tim Wheeler was present at one of their gigs. She was later recruited as the fourth and final member. Her first album with the group was 1998s Nu Clear Sounds where she provided lead guitar for all tracks and also wrote the song WildSurf which appears on the album.
Apart from this, Hatherley mainly contributed to Ash with soulful guitar and some backing vocals, co-writing the odd song with Wheeler. The title track from Hatherley's first solo album, Grey Will Fade had previously been featured as a B-side to one of Ash's singles. The rest of the band had liked the song, yet felt it wasn't consistent with Ash's sound, and supported Hatherley when she decided to record her own album. This debut album, relased in 2004, has more than proved her songwriting ability. The three singles, Bastardo, Kim Wilde and Summer all received high praise from critics, as well as the album itself.
The videos to the tracks Bastardo and Summer were directed by her ex-boyfriend, Edgar Wright, who is best known as the director of the film "Shaun Of The Dead", which incidentally featured two tracks from Ash's fourth album proper Meltdown, the title track and Orpheus.
On January 20th 2006, she announced her departure from Ash, to pursue her solo career further.
Her first material since her departure from Ash came in the form of the Behave EP which featured tracks from her second album and was released on December 18 2006 on two formats - 7" vinyl and digital download. The EP featured the title track Behave as well as other tracks from her second album including Cousteau and Mr Ed.
Her second album, The Deep Blue, was released in March 2007 on her own label Little Sister Records which was founded by Charlotte together with her manager Ann-Marie Shields. Between this and the release of her 2009 third solo effort, New Worlds, she played with Bat for Lashes as a touring guitarist, and has played bass with Client since December 2007.
Very Young
Charlotte Hatherley Lyrics
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Got away soon as I was able
I will meet him here
How can I be to notice
the Russian dolls hidden under the surface
I'm coming out in age
Is it because I'm very young
and there's nothing to be scared of
Is it because I'm very young
and there's nothing to be scared of
Stand back and look me over
Do you think that I am a big girl
older than I am
Lie back and get it over
Pliable girl, now I got you closer to me
Coming out in age
You're sweeter than anyone I've ever had
Is it because I'm very young
And there's nothing to be scared of
Is it because I'm very young
And there's nothing to be scared of
Is it because I'm very young
And there's nothing to be scared of
Is it because I'm very young
And there's nothing to be scared of
Now are you sending me to labor
And do you really think you're doing me a favor
Do it and be done
I'm sweeter than anyone you've ever, ever had
And though you're sending me to labor
And do you really think you're doing me a favor
'Cause I'm very young
Deceiver than anyone that's over
Oh no I won't take anybody
Oh tell me we're together
And you know I did it anyway
Oh tell me we're together
The song "Very Young" by Charlotte Hatherley talks about a young girl who is exploring her sexual side and trying to understand her own emotions. The girl is meeting with someone in the city and seems to be nervous about revealing herself to this person. She talks about being "hidden under the surface" like Russian dolls, in reference to her layered and complex personality. She also questions whether it's because she's "very young" that she's not scared to explore her sexuality.
The girl then asks the person to stand back and look her over, questioning whether he thinks she is a "big girl" and "older than she is." She also asks him to "lie back and get it over," indicating that she is ready to take things to the next level. Throughout the song, she repeats the phrase "you're sweeter than anyone I've ever had," indicating her attraction to this person.
The second half of the song sees the girl questioning the motives of the person she is with. She questions whether he is sending her to "labor," and whether he thinks he's doing her a favor. The phrase "deceiver than anyone that's over" indicates that she thinks he may not be honest with her. Despite this, the girl seems to be willing to go along with things and says "oh tell me we're together" at the end of the song, indicating a desire for a deeper emotional connection.
Line by Line Meaning
I was held up at City Central
I was delayed at City Central.
Got away soon as I was able
As soon as I could, I left the place where I was held up.
I will meet him here
I will meet him at this place.
How can I be to notice
How could I have known before?
the Russian dolls hidden under the surface
The secrets hidden beneath the surface, like a Russian nesting doll.
I'm coming out in age
I'm growing older and wiser, gaining experience.
You're sweeter than anyone I've ever had
You are the sweetest person I have ever been with.
Is it because I'm very young
and there's nothing to be scared of
Is it because I am naive and have no reason to be afraid?
Stand back and look me over
Stand back and take a good look at me.
Do you think that I am a big girl
older than I am
Do you think I am more mature than I really am?
Lie back and get it over
Pliable girl, now I got you closer to me
Relax and let it happen. I manipulated you into getting closer to me.
Coming out in age
Becoming more mature.
You're sweeter than anyone I've ever had
You are the sweetest person I have ever been with.
Is it because I'm very young
And there's nothing to be scared of
Is it because I am naive and have no reason to be afraid?
Is it because I'm very young
And there's nothing to be scared of
Is it because I am naive and have no reason to be afraid?
Now are you sending me to labor
And do you really think you're doing me a favor
Do it and be done
Are you putting me through hard work, thinking it's good for me? Just get it over with.
I'm sweeter than anyone you've ever, ever had
I am even sweeter than anyone you've ever been with in your life.
And though you're sending me to labor
And do you really think you're doing me a favor
'Cause I'm very young
Even though you think it is good for me, it isn't because I am young and naive.
Deceiver than anyone that's over
I am better at deceiving people than anyone who is older.
Oh no I won't take anybody
Oh no, I will not let just anyone who comes along take advantage of me.
Oh tell me we're together
Please tell me that we are truly together, before we do anything else.
And you know I did it anyway
You know I would have done it either way.
Oh tell me we're together
Please tell me that we are truly together, before we do anything else.
Contributed by Maya W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.