In 1995, Howells began producing experimental techno tracks with fellow Hastings native, Tim Cross, under the moniker Squelch. Over the next two years, Squelch produced several singles and attracted the attention of the record label Jackpot, who released what would be Cross's and Howells's final single together. In 1997, Cross and Howells split, though Howells stayed with Jackpot. Jackpot teamed Danny Howells up with Rob Green to produce a remix of React 2 Rhythm's "Intoxication". Howells performed for the first time outside of the UK, traveling to Holland for his first gig abroad, which gained him a large fan base there. Following his international tour, Howells signed with Dutch record label ID&T to create his debut mix album, Nightlife Report 1: Mick Boskamp Presents Danny Howells. Howells and Green continued to work together, including on a remix of Robbie Williams's "South of the Border. Howells began to produce solo as well, taking on projects such as Ashtrax's "Kafka" and BT's "Dreaming".
In 1999, Danny Howells began his Nocturnal Frequencies series of mix albums on the record label Obsessive. He also began remixing with Dick Trevor, and the two soon adopted the name Science Department for their original productions. Howells continued his live DJ-ing, playing regularly at clubs including Bedrock, Renaissance, Cream, and Ministry of Sound. After the release of his next Nocturnal Frequencies album, Howells left Bedrock and Ministry of Sound, taking a residency at Twilo in New York City. After finishing the Science Department track "Breathe", Howells compiled his next mix album Nubreed 002. The second entry in Global Underground's Nubreed series, Howells's album consisted largely of funky, progressive, tech house. Howells was voted number ten of the world's top DJs in DJ Magazine's 2001 Top 100 DJs poll.
Howells continued his relationship with Global Underground, releasing the first album in their 24:7 series in July 2003. The first disc features a primarily downtempo or chill out music, similarly to Nick Warren's Global Underground 024: Reykjavik, while the second is more of a club mix.
In 2005, Global Underground brought in Howells for the 27th entry in their series. Howells entry, Global Underground 027: Miami, is based on his 31 October 2004 performance at Club Space in Miami, Florida. The first disc is based on his morning set and the second disc on his late night set.
In 2008 he launched his own record label "Dig Deeper", initially as a means of showcasing his own productions, but more recently featuring many new and established artists. In 2011 he released the first compilation on this imprint, entitled "Phase One".
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Papa Was A Rolling Stone
Danny Howells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause that was the day that my daddy died.
I never got a chance to see him; never heard nothin' but bad things about him.
Mama I'm depending on you to tell me the truth.
Mama just looked at him and said, "Son,
Papa was a rollin' stone.
Wherever he laid his head was his home.
Papa was a rollin' stone.
Wherever he laid his head was his home.
And when he died, all he left us was alone."
Hey, Mama, is it true what the say, that Papa never worked a day in his life?
And Mama, they talk all around town say that
Papa had three outside children and another wife
And that ain't right.
Heard them talkin' about Papa doing some storefront preachin'
Talkin' about saving your souls and all the time weak, dealin' in death
And stealin' in the name of the Lord
Mama just hung her head and said,
Papa was a rollin' stone.
Wherever he laid his head was his home.
And when he died, all he left us was alone."
Papa was a rollin' stone.
Wherever he laid his head was his home.
And when he died, all he left us was alone."
Hey, Mama, I heard Papa call himself a jack of all trades.
Tell me, is that what sent Papa to an early grave?
Folks say Papa would beg; borrow or steal to pay his bills.
Hey, Mama, folks say Papa was never much on thinkin';
Spend most of his time chasin' women and drinkin'!
Mama, I'm depending on you to tell me the truth.
Mama just hung her head and said, "Son,
Papa was a rollin' stone.
Wherever he laid his head was his home.
And when he died, all he left us was alone."
Papa was a rollin' stone.
Wherever he laid his head was his home.
And when he died, all he left us was alone."
Papa was a rollin' stone.
Wherever he laid his head was his home.
And when he died, all he left us was alone."
Papa was a rollin' stone.
Wherever he laid his head was his home.
And when he died, all he left us was alone."
The lyrics of "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" by Danny Howells tell the story of a son trying to understand and come to terms with the absence and questionable actions of his late father. The song begins by setting the somber tone, as the third of September is forever etched in the singer's memory as the day his father passed away. The son expresses his regret for never having the opportunity to see his father and only hearing negative things about him. He turns to his mother, hoping she can shed some light on the truth.
When the son asks his mother about his father, she responds with the iconic line, "Papa was a rollin' stone. Wherever he laid his head was his home." This statement reveals that the father was characterized as a wanderer, never truly settling down or taking responsibility for his family. The line suggests that he lived a transient lifestyle, moving from place to place without a stable residence. The mother further explains that when he died, all he left them was a sense of loneliness and abandonment.
As the son continues to question his mother, he confronts rumors he has heard about his father. One story is that his father never worked and lived off other people. Another is that his father had multiple outside children and another wife. These accounts showcase a lack of responsibility and fidelity, further solidifying the negative image of the father. In addition, there are references to his father engaging in storefront preachin', using religion to deceive others and engage in illicit activities. The mother, unable to defend her late partner's actions, can only lower her head in silent acknowledgement of the truth.
In the last verse, the son ponders whether his father's lack of ambition and constant pursuit of pleasure ultimately contributed to his untimely demise. The implication is that his father's reckless behavior, such as begging, stealing, and indulging in vices, may have led to his downfall. The son seeks clarity from his mother, hoping for an honest explanation. However, his mother's response echoes her earlier statement, affirming that his father was indeed a wanderer who left them alone when he passed away. It highlights the pain and unresolved issues the son grapples with, as he struggles to come to terms with the absence and negative legacy left behind by his father.
Overall, "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" delves into themes of absent fathers, familial abandonment, and the consequences of a life driven by pleasure and irresponsibility. The lyrics offer a poignant portrayal of a son seeking understanding and closure in the wake of his father's actions, leaving behind a legacy of pain and unanswered questions.
Line by Line Meaning
It was the third of September; that day I'll always remember, 'Cause that was the day that my daddy died.
On September 3rd, a significant moment when my father passed away, an event that will forever be imprinted in my memory.
I never got a chance to see him; never heard nothin' but bad things about him.
I never had the opportunity to meet him, and unfortunately, all I've ever been told are negative things about him.
Mama I'm depending on you to tell me the truth.
I rely on you, Mama, to provide me with an honest account of the facts regarding my father.
Mama just looked at him and said, 'Son, Papa was a rollin' stone. Wherever he laid his head was his home. And when he died, all he left us was alone.'
Mama responded by stating that my father was a wanderer, never settling in one place, and when he passed away, all he left us was a sense of loneliness.
Hey, Mama, is it true what they say, that Papa never worked a day in his life?
Mama, I wonder if the rumors are true, that Papa never held a job throughout his entire existence?
And Mama, they talk all around town say that Papa had three outside children and another wife, And that ain't right.
Furthermore, gossip circulates within the community, claiming that Papa had three illegitimate children and another wife, which is morally unacceptable.
Heard them talkin' about Papa doing some storefront preachin', Talkin' about saving your souls and all the time weak, dealin' in death, And stealin' in the name of the Lord
There have been discussions about Papa engaging in preaching from a storefront, but it seems hypocritical because he appears morally compromised, dealing with death and stealing while invoking the name of the Lord.
Mama just hung her head and said, 'Papa was a rollin' stone. Wherever he laid his head was his home. And when he died, all he left us was alone.'
In response, Mama displayed a gesture of sadness and confirmed that Papa was, indeed, a wanderer who considered wherever he rested his head as his abode, ultimately leaving us with solitary feelings when he passed away.
Hey, Mama, I heard Papa call himself a jack of all trades. Tell me, is that what sent Papa to an early grave?
Mama, I came across Papa referring to himself as a versatile individual capable of many skills, but I wonder if this lifestyle contributed to his premature death?
Folks say Papa would beg; borrow or steal to pay his bills. Hey, Mama, folks say Papa was never much on thinkin'; Spend most of his time chasin' women and drinkin'!
According to people, Papa resorted to begging, borrowing, or even stealing to fulfill his financial obligations. Mama, they also claim that Papa lacked the ability to think critically, occupying most of his time pursuing romantic endeavors and indulging in alcohol.
Mama, I'm depending on you to tell me the truth.
Mama, once again, I place my trust in you to disclose the genuine reality.
Mama just hung her head and said, 'Son, Papa was a rollin' stone. Wherever he laid his head was his home. And when he died, all he left us was alone.'
Mama responded with a sorrowful gesture, reiterating that Papa was a wanderer who perceived any place he rested as his dwelling, concluding that his demise left us feeling isolated.
Papa was a rollin' stone. Wherever he laid his head was his home. And when he died, all he left us was alone.'
This line serves as a repeating refrain emphasizing the theme that Papa was a nomadic figure, never truly having a permanent home, and upon his death, his absence became our solitary existence.
Papa was a rollin' stone. Wherever he laid his head was his home. And when he died, all he left us was alone.'
Once again, the refrain highlights the fact that Papa was a wanderer, finding comfort wherever he temporarily resided, but his passing left us feeling abandoned.
Papa was a rollin' stone. Wherever he laid his head was his home. And when he died, all he left us was alone.'
Continuing the refrain, it reiterates that Papa's nature was to lead a transient life, considering any place he rested his head as his sanctuary, ultimately leaving us in a state of loneliness upon his demise.
Papa was a rollin' stone. Wherever he laid his head was his home. And when he died, all he left us was alone.'
The refrain persists, emphasizing Papa's wandering disposition, accepting any location he set foot in as his domestic space, and his passing only resulting in our isolation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind