“If you’re expecting the same old soul singer, that’s not necessarily who I am,” the prodigy divulges as perhaps the most telling description of his work. “I call my sound ‘future throwback soul’ since it’s what people love about old soul music, that throwback sound… but I bring it into the future.” Growing up in Manchester, he put in his time studying the soul greats of yesterday and today, developing his sound as a teen through bedroom recordings and making his name performing on Britain’s underground urban stages. “It was tough fitting into the Manchester music scene which had always been really focused on guitar and dance music, the urban scene was almost non-existent… so, in making those recordings in my bedroom, I figured out how I wanted to sound…It was my training ground. Everything really began there for me. It was the first step in becoming the artist I am today.”
He first perked mainstream ears accompanying the Gorillaz on their 2010 chart hit, “Doncamatic,” after a mutual friend introduced the group to his music at one of his many London shows. He released the single, “Smoking Gun” in 2011 to impressive airplay, gaining ground as an independent artist on BBC Radio 1xtra and being listed as one of the station’s ‘Sound of 2011’ honorable mentions. He later fueled Wretch 32’s “Long Way Home,” for which he co-wrote.
His gradual ascent didn’t come easy, however. Pulling in favors after nearly being dropped by his label and investing his own money into promotion, Daley completed his EP, Those Who Wait, spawning his initial viral online success in 2012. “I made the EP a free download because after the Gorillaz track there really wasn’t much else out there for people to get ahold of from me and in doing so, it spread around the world and helped me gain the attention of more listeners,” he explains. “In being free, it took on a life of its own and became like an introduction for me as an artist… I knew I had to get it heard stateside and that was really the best way.”
His second EP, Alone Together (also released in 2012) continued his rise with his first stateside single, the subtly seductive “Alone Together” featuring Grammy nominee, Marsha Ambrosius, for which New York R&B radio station WBLS gave its first spins. Since his US debut, he’s garnered two Soul Train Award nominations and has racked up over 5 million YouTube/VEVO views with the video for his Jessie J-assisted duet, “Remember Me.” Supporting the likes of Miguel and Emeli Sande, along with megastar label mate, Jessie J, he’s performed to sold-out audiences around the world and counts icons, George Michael and Bobby Womack, among his fans. 2013 scored Daley his first MOBO nominations, for “Best Newcomer” and “Best R&B Artist,” along with a guest spot on Nelly’s latest single, “Heaven.”
Part of Daley’s international appeal comes from his ability to harmonize the sounds of yesterday and tomorrow with the technologies of today. His Twitter hash tag “#ASKDALEY” has trended globally, while he’s notably become one of BBC 1xtra Live’s most shared acts to date. He says of his digital following: “I can gage people’s reactions and I like to hear their feedback. It’s important to me to hear how people feel and relate to my music.”
All signs point to a massive full-length debut from the artist in 2014.
Entitled Days & Nights, the album balances the bright young star’s individual style and awe-worthy falsetto with illuminating vulnerability and substance. “Days & Nights is literally my life for the past couple of years. It’s trying to balance your career, your love life, your ‘everything’ and keeping them all in check… it all blurs into one like your day’s and night’s,” he describes.
Fusing R&B/Soul aesthetics he grew up on (from Prince’s funky fervor to D’Angelo’s neo-soul) with sparse electro-ambient stylings, he effectively captures this generation’s sonic amalgam. While his palette’s rooted in the classics, he pushes music forward with a sound beyond his years. “It’s soulful at its core and in terms of sound and production, the album reflects me and my influences – a combination of US and UK sounds,” he details.
On “Be,” he employs 80’s percussion with moody piano chords to achieve a Sade-like AC stunner. “Blame The World’s” boom-bap brass and orchestral backing show off his bombastic versatility, while the empowering “Broken” proves he can easily hold his own as a triumphant balladeer a la Adele. Pharrell’s co-production on “Look Up” even reminisces Marvin Gaye’s seminal “What’s Going On,” begging a comparison to the icon’s greatest moments.
Tackling the everyday has never sounded so sensuous.
Days & Nights welcomes Daley to the world stage without compromise.
Look Up
Daley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That you're not happy here
You don't need to say it
It shows, it shows, it shows,
It's all over your face
You can't erase it, no
I wish that we could face
The things that hold us back
Instead we choose to chase
The things we know won't last
They'll never last
But something keeps me hanging on
Yeah some feelings they never go
So, look up
And if the stars should fall from the sky
I will put them all back in time
So you know that when they shine
They shine for you
Oh oh oh yes they do, they do, they do
Those words that we don't say
They make the biggest sounds
They call us out (call us out)
'Cause there are quiet truths in pain
And we both feel them now
But still we love somehow, oh
I wish that we could face
The things that hold us back
Before we fade to black
Instead we choose to chase
The things we know won't last
They'll never last
But something keeps me hanging on (something keeps me hanging on)
Yeah some feelings just never go
So, look up
And if the stars should fall from the sky
I will put them all back in time
So you know that when they shine
They shine for you
Oh oh oh yes they do, they do, believe me
I love you in my way
Ooh what more can I say
It's constant as the stars
Although we're lost in space
So if separate ways we go
I hope somehow you'll know
Whatever circumstance
You will be in my soul (you'll be in my soul, in my soul)
In my soul
And if the stars should fall from the sky
I will put them all back in time
So you know that when they shine
They shine for you
Oh oh oh yes they do
The song "Look Up" by Daley captures the pain of being in a relationship that is no longer fulfilling. The lyrics convey the idea that despite the obvious signs of dissatisfaction in the relationship, the singer is still holding on to some hope that things will work out. It is clear that the singer knows that their partner is unhappy and wishes that they could confront whatever is holding them back before they "fade to black." However, they continue to pursue things that they know won't last because of some inexplicable feeling that keeps them hanging on.
Throughout the song, there is a recurring theme of the stars and their ability to shine. The singer promises to put the stars back in time so that they can shine for their partner. This can be interpreted as a symbolic gesture of their commitment to restoring the love and spark in their relationship. Even though they acknowledge the pain that they are both feeling, they still love each other somehow. The last verse suggests that even if they have to go their separate ways, the singer will always hold their partner in their soul.
Overall, "Look Up" is a heartbreaking song about trying to salvage what's left of a relationship that is falling apart. It captures the feeling of desperation and hopelessness that one can feel when they are trying to hold on to something that is slipping away.
Line by Line Meaning
I know, I know, I know
I understand that you're unhappy
That you're not happy here
You're not satisfied with the current situation
You don't need to say it
Your unhappiness is showing clearly
It shows, it shows, it shows,
It's very evident
It's all over your face
Your expression says it all
You can't erase it, no
You can't hide it, no matter how hard you try
I wish that we could face
I hope we can confront
The things that hold us back
The things that prevent us from moving forward
Before we fade to black
Before our relationship ends
Instead we choose to chase
But instead we go after
The things we know won't last
Things that we know will eventually fade away
They'll never last
They won't stay forever
But something keeps me hanging on
But there's something that keeps me from letting go
Yeah some feelings they never go
Some emotions are hard to forget
So, look up
But don't lose hope
And if the stars should fall from the sky
Even if everything falls apart
I will put them all back in time
I will fix things
So you know that when they shine
So you can see that there's still hope
They shine for you
And that everything is going to be alright
Those words that we don't say
The things we keep to ourselves
They make the biggest sounds
Have the greatest impact
They call us out (call us out)
They reveal the truth (reveal the truth)
'Cause there are quiet truths in pain
Because sometimes the truth hurts
And we both feel them now
We both know the truth
But still we love somehow, oh
But we still care for each other
I love you in my way
I love you in my own unique way
Ooh what more can I say
I can't express my feelings any better
It's constant as the stars
My love for you is as unwavering as the stars
Although we're lost in space
Even though we're not sure where we're headed
So if separate ways we go
If we end up going our separate paths
I hope somehow you'll know
I hope you always remember
Whatever circumstance
No matter what happens
You will be in my soul (you'll be in my soul, in my soul)
You will always have a special place in my life
And if the stars should fall from the sky
And even if everything seems hopeless
They shine for you
Know that there's still a chance for happiness
Oh oh oh yes they do
Believe that it's possible
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: PHARRELL WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SUSIE Q
"Look Up"
I know, I know, I know
That you're not happy here
You don't need to say it
It shows, it shows, it shows
It's all over your face
You can't erase it no
I wish that we could face
The things that hold us back
Before we fade to black
Instead we choose to chase
The things we know won't last
There's so much we lack
But something keeps me hanging on
Yeah some feelings they never go, so
Look up...
And if the stars should fall from the sky
I will put them all back in time
So you know that when they shine
They shine for you
Oh oh, yes they do, they do
Those words that we don't say
They make the biggest sounds
They call us out, yeah
Cause there are quiet truths and pains
And we both feel them now
But still we love somehow
I wish that we could face
The things that hold us back
Before we fade to black
Instead we choose to chase
The things we know won't last
They never last
But something keeps me hanging on
Yeah some feelings just never go, so
Look up...
And if the stars should fall from the sky
I will put them all back in time
So you know that when they shine
They shine for you
Oh oh, yes they do, they do
Believe me
I love you in my way
Ooh, what more can I say
It's constant as the stars
Although we're lost in space
So if separate ways we go
I hope somehow you'll know
Whatever circumstance
You will be in my soul
(You will be in my soul, in my soul)
In my soul
And if the stars should fall from the sky
I will put them all back in time
So you know that when they shine
They shine for you
Oh oh, yes they do
PABLO FRANCIS
I know, I know, I know
That you're not happy here
You don't need to say it
It shows, it shows, it shows,
It's all over your face
You can't erase it, no
I wish that we could face
The things that hold us back
Before we fade to black
Instead we choose to chase
The things we know won't last
They'll never last
But something keeps me hanging on
Yeah some feelings they never go
So, look up
And if the stars should fall from the sky
I will put them all back in time
So you know that when they shine
They shine for you
Oh oh oh yes they do, they do, they do
Those words that we don't say
They make the biggest sounds
They call us out (call us out)
'Cause there are quiet truths in pain
And we both feel them now
But still we love somehow, oh
I wish that we could face
The things that hold us back
Before we fade to black
Instead we choose to chase
The things we know won't last
They'll never last
But something keeps me hanging on (something keeps me hanging on)
Yeah some feelings just never go
So, look up
And if the stars should fall from the sky
I will put them all back in time
So you know that when they shine
They shine for you
Oh oh oh yes they do, they do, believe me
I love you in my way
Ooh what more can I say
It's constant as the stars
Although we're lost in space
So if separate ways we go
I hope somehow you'll know
Whatever circumstance
You will be in my soul (you'll be in my soul, in my soul)
In my soul
And if the stars should fall from the sky
I will put them all back in time
So you know that when they shine
They shine for you
Oh oh oh yes they do
María Marshall
One of the most underated singers, with a voice of gold. Need more of this.
Jasmine Robinson
This man is just stunning . . . I dont understand how he doesn't have more viewers . . . People dont know real music anymore
Jeffrey Bernardez
right
mookeychase0907
Word this joint been up since July it should have way over 1M views. I guess that's a sign most people don't recognize good music until it bandwagon time...
Lisa
True!
unbroken222
Jasmine Shané. How many people are contacting radio stations requesting his tracks? I definitely want to hear him getting more air play!!!
Lara O'neal
Jasmine Robinson This song has deep metaphorical meaning. Profound. It’s what They DONT SAY THAT SCREAMS SO LOUD. So true.
Dorothy Hutchinson
HE has arrived, GAVE THIS MAN THE ACCOLADE HE DESERVE. His voice and admiration is worth 100 mil.
karen jarrett
That white boy can blow, he just do something to me with that sweet voice. Keep doing what you doing, putting out good quality music, that will be remembered for decades to come and also the man behind the music will also be remembered.
eyes2soul
This guy is phenomenal, and I agree with another listener, he has Sam Smith beaten. There's no competition. The first time I heard this song, I was riding up Lincoln Boulevard, near Santa Monica, and I had to turn up the volume. This song gave me such a feeling of elation and euphoria, I couldn't believe what I was listening to. I'd gladly see him in concert, and I'd hate to share the stage with him. Whoever follows his performance will have a hard act to follow. I can't wait to hear whatever else he comes out with. This song is so smooth, gratifying and uplifting... all at the same time! Daley, you've made a fan of me!