His best-known solo material is the 1985 UK chart-topping single penned by Maria McKee, "A Good Heart", which went to number one in several countries. His solo work is significantly different from the semi-punk offerings of The Undertones. He also got a UK number 5 in 1986 with "You Little Thief".
Starting in 1992 Sharkey moved into the business side of the music industry, initially as an A&R manager for Polydor Records and then as Managing Director of EXP Ltd. He was appointed a Member of the Radio Authority for five years from December 1998 to December 2003. He then became Chairman of the UK Government task force the 'Live Music Forum' in 2004.
Don't Leave It To Nature
Feargal Sharkey Lyrics
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Turn new pages
What can she see with the naked eye?
Nothing changes
That if he could, he would have been so fine
As it is they're strangers
It wasn't this that he had in mind
Keep stepping outta line now
Get up, get out
Don't leave it to nature
Oh, no
A step in the light now
Get up, get out
Don't leave it to nature
Oh, no
There's a girl, she's gonna take him first
In easy stages
And every time he thinks he could be worse
It grows more contagious
This is a plan of your own contriving
It's a plan to see what you're going through
Couldn't stop your bridges burning
But don't you worry 'cause you're still learning
So when he says he's gonna do you right
Turn new pages
'Cause it isn't this that you had in mind
Being a lonesome ranger
The song "Don't Leave It To Nature" by Feargal Sharkey is a romantic tale of two people who are uncertain of their place in a relationship. The opening verse portrays the woman as wanting someone who can treat her right, and the man in the song as being willing to turn a new page to make this happen. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that their relationship is not as seamless as they may have hoped. The line "What can she see with the naked eye? Nothing changes" suggests that the couple may be stuck in a rut, with nothing new happening between them.
The chorus, "Keep stepping outta line now, Get up, get out, Don't leave it to nature, Oh, no", is a call to action for the couple to take control of their own destiny and not leave the fate of their relationship up to chance. The second verse implies that the man in the couple may not have been forthcoming with his intentions, with the line "It wasn't this that he had in mind, Being a lonesome ranger". The woman in the song is also seen as being eager to progress the relationship further, as she is "going to take him first in easy stages".
Overall, the song is a cautionary tale of two people who need to communicate more honestly and take ownership of their own happiness. It is a relatable sentiment for anyone who has been in a relationship that has plateaued or does not feel fulfilling anymore.
Line by Line Meaning
He's the man who's gonna do her right
She believes he is trustworthy and a good partner for her.
Turn new pages
She wants to move forward and explore new possibilities in life.
What can she see with the naked eye?
She can not see any positive signs with her current partner.
Nothing changes
The current situation is stagnant and not progressing in a positive way.
That if he could, he would have been so fine
If he had the ability, he could have been a better companion.
As it is they're strangers
The relationship is lacking familiarity and connection.
It wasn't this that he had in mind
The man is not fulfilling his intended role in the relationship.
Being a lonesome ranger
He is content being by himself and not considering her needs or feelings.
Keep stepping outta line now
She should take risks and not conform to what is expected of her.
Get up, get out
She needs to take action and make changes in her life.
Don't leave it to nature
She should not rely on fate or chance to solve her problems.
A step in the light now
She should expose herself to new experiences and opportunities.
There's a girl, she's gonna take him first
Another woman will steal him away from her eventually.
In easy stages
The man will slowly be wooed away by the other woman.
And every time he thinks he could be worse
He will continue to fall further away from her and his good intentions.
It grows more contagious
The situation becomes more and more problematic and difficult to control.
This is a plan of your own contriving
The current situation is a result of her own actions and choices.
It's a plan to see what you're going through
She created this situation to learn more about herself and her needs.
Couldn't stop your bridges burning
She damaged important relationships in her life.
But don't you worry 'cause you're still learning
She still has time to grow and improve herself and her relationships.
So when he says he's gonna do you right
The man promises to be a good partner to her.
Turn new pages
She should move on from the past and start fresh with the man.
'Cause it isn't this that you had in mind
The current relationship is not what she envisioned or wanted for herself.
Being a lonesome ranger
The man is satisfied being alone, not taking her needs into consideration.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANTHONY JOHN MOORE, FEARGAL SEAN SHARKEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind