Herbert began creating music with found objects whilst at Exeter University (UK) in the 1990s, where he studied Drama. From bottles, books, and pepper pots he progressed to recording places and experiences, effectively using the sampler as an instrument on many of his Doctor Rockit and Herbert releases. This style evolved into the overtly political when he began sampling objects from McDonald's and The Gap as a protest against corporate globalism on the The Mechanics Of Destruction album. The CD was distributed free at concerts and available as a free download and has never been available in stores.
His 2003 Big Band album, Goodbye Swingtime combined the political commentary of Radioboy with the song structure of his Herbert albums. Recorded with sixteen musicians from the British jazz world, including saxophonists Dave O'Higgins and Nigel Hitchcock and bassist Dave Green, the band is complemented on stage by long-term vocal partner Dani Siciliano and occasionally Arto Lindsay and Warp recording artist, Jamie Lidell. Recently he has provided music for a number of films, including Dogme director Kristian Levring's The Intended along with original music for TV. Herbert's newest album Plat du Jour addresses world famine.
You Saw It All
Herbert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not even my best
You're almost of essential though
Along with the rest
You're not my only sense
You're one of a few
You know when to leave alone
You show me the view
Allies across the years
You witnessed the best
Gave drainage for all my tears
And closed on request
You saw before me when
I knew it all
You turned the other way
Watching me fall
You see it all
If when you're leaving me
Remember me this
If we're dependent still
We cannot miss
You're maybe the last to go
Probably the first
Show me a little place
Where I can grow worse
And as you retreat from me
The closer I come
Further from yesterday
Nearer the sun
And though I may never see
All that you did
Promise me nothing more
You saw it all
In Herbert's song "You Saw It All," the lyrics seem to be addressing a close friend or confidant who has been there throughout the years. The opening lines set the tone by acknowledging that the person is not the only friend, but is still essential along with the others. The second verse suggests that the friend has been there during difficult times, providing a shoulder to cry on and support when needed. The chorus emphasizes the theme of observation, with the repeated line "you saw it all." This person has been a witness to the singer's life and experiences.
The third verse provides a slightly melancholy note, with the suggestion that the friend may be leaving or moving on. The singer requests that the friend remember their connection and the dependency they share. The final verse takes on a more hopeful tone, suggesting that the friend's retreat may actually be bringing the singer closer to the light and allowing for growth. The song ends with a hopeful note, suggesting that no more promises are needed because the friend has already seen everything.
Overall, "You Saw It All" is a tribute to the importance of friendship and the power of observation. The singer acknowledges that this friend is not the only one, but their presence and support has meant everything throughout the years. While the song takes on a somewhat bittersweet tone with the suggestion of departure, it ultimately ends on a positive note, with the singer finding hope in the idea that the friend's distance may actually bring them closer to something better.
Line by Line Meaning
You're not my only friend
There are other people in my life who I consider friends
Not even my best
You are not necessarily the closest or most important friend I have
You're almost of essential though
Despite not being my only or best friend, you are still crucial to my life
Along with the rest
You are an important part of the group of people who support and care for me
You're not my only sense
I have other senses that help me navigate the world
You're one of a few
However, you are one of the few senses I rely on for guidance and understanding
You know when to leave alone
You have the ability to sense when I need space and give me the privacy I require
You show me the view
You often provide me with the insight and perspective I need to make sense of things
Allies across the years
We've been friends for a long time and have supported each other throughout that time
You witnessed the best
You've been around to see me at my happiest and most successful
Gave drainage for all my tears
You've been there for me during the lowest points of my life, providing comfort and support
And closed on request
You have respected my wishes when I've needed space or privacy and have backed away when I asked
You saw before me when
You often recognize when something is wrong before I do
I knew it all
Even when I was in denial about something, you were aware of what was going on
You turned the other way
Sometimes you purposely ignored my struggles or flaws to give me space or not offend me
Watching me fall
Other times you observed my mistakes or failures, but didn't intervene to let me learn from them
You see it all
Overall, you know me better than almost anyone else and have seen me through the highs and lows of life
If when you're leaving me
If we ever part ways
Remember me this
I want you to remember something important
If we're dependent still
If we continue to depend on each other
We cannot miss
We cannot fail or mess things up as long as we support each other
You're maybe the last to go
Of all my friends, you may be the last one to stop supporting or caring for me
Probably the first
You were likely one of the first friends I ever made and have been there for me since the beginning
Show me a little place
Help me find somewhere small and quiet
Where I can grow worse
Where I can be vulnerable and honest, even if it's not pretty or flattering
And as you retreat from me
As you move away from me emotionally, physically, or otherwise
The closer I come
I sometimes find myself clinging to you even tighter
Further from yesterday
As time passes, I grow further away from who I used to be and the things I valued in the past
Nearer the sun
I become more attuned with my passions, dreams and goals. They come closer to me like the sun as I harness its energy
And though I may never see
I may not fully understand the extent of what you do for me
All that you did
I still appreciate all of your support, even if I don't always realize or acknowledge it
Promise me nothing more
I don't need any grand gestures or promises from you, just your ongoing friendship and care
Lyrics © THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC.
Written by: MATTHEW HERBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind