Cornwell was born in London, England in 1949 - growing up in Tufnell Park and Kentish Town - and attended William Ellis School in Highgate, where he was friends with Richard Thompson, later a member of Fairport Convention. In the late 1960s, having obtained a degree in biochemistry from Bristol University, he embarked on postgraduate research post in Lund University, southern Sweden. Not long after his arrival he formed a band, Johnny Sox.
Cornwell did not complete his doctorate and returned to the UK, in 1974. Soon after, he formed The Stranglers with Jet Black, Hans Warmling and Jean Jacques Burnel. By 1977 they had secured a deal with United Artists records and become the highest selling band on the UK punk scene and had several hit singles and albums.
By the time Cornwell reached his thirties, the British punk scene had died down and he was prompted to start a solo career in case the Stranglers broke up. He recorded his first album away from the group, Nosferatu, in collaboration with the Captain Beefheart's Magic Band's drummer, Robert Williams, in 1979.
Shortly before his 41st birthday Cornwell decided that the band could go no further artistically. He recorded the albums 10 and Saturday Night/Sunday Morning before leaving after sixteen years in the band. He described life with the Stranglers as brilliant, but he felt he had a dark coat over him. His biographical writing attest to many conflicts within the band, particularly between Cornwell and Burnel.
Since leaving the Stranglers his solo career has continued. He has released 11 solo albums, Wolf (1988), Wired (1993), Guilty (1997), Black Hair Black Eyes Black Suit (1999), First Bus To Babylon (1999), Hifi (2001), Footprints In The Desert (2002), Mayday (2002), In The Dock (2003), Beyond Elysian Fields (2004), Dirty Dozen (2006) and three collaborations, Nosferatu (1979) featuring Robert Williams, CCW (1992) featuring Roger Cook and Andy West and Sons Of Shiva (2002) featuring Sex W Johnston.
Cornwell's book, The Stranglers: Song by Song, was published in November 2001 by Sanctuary Publishing. In it he explains for the first time the real stories behind the Stranglers extensive catalogue of songs. In October 2004 Cornwell's autobiography A Multitude of Sins was published by Harper Collins.
The Stranglers' most successful song, Golden Brown, featured on the soundtrack to Guy Ritchie's Hollywood blockbuster Snatch; whilst Peaches was used as the opening sequence of the hit film Sexy Beast as well as in a Nike TV ad for 2002's Football World Cup.
A triple live album, People Places Pieces containing 45 tracks spanning the whole of Cornwell's career has been released in 2006. It spans his time with the Stranglers from 1974 to 1990, plus his critically acclaimed solo career to date and features remarkable performances of old and new standards.
Hugh Cornwell has completed his new album Hooverdam and first film Blueprint in Toerag Studios with producer Liam Watson (White Stripes 'Elephant'). The whole “Hoover Dam” album is available to download completely FREE as high quality DRM-free MP3s from www.hughcornwell.com – and Hugh’s site is now in twelve languages (English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Italian, Turkish, Russian, Arabic, Farsi, Mandarin and Japanese).
This initiative has brought Hugh’s music to a massive new audience – a fact borne out by his barnstorming show at the Glastonbury Festival which was overflowing with people wanting to catch the performance. The CD version of “Hoover Dam” includes a DVD containing feature-length documentary “Blueprint”, and vinyl LP sales have also been very strong. “Hoover Dam” has been also making a splash abroad, with fantastic US concert dates throughout September, and shows in Germany, Holland, Lithuania, France and England.
MAKE IT WITH YOU
Hugh Cornwell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's only one thing left to do.
I see the Earth below me part. I hear a gunshot at the start.
I'm on a beeline straight for you.
I want to make it with you.
I want to make it... I want to make it with you.
I've got some fruit here in my hand; it's ripe, and from the promised land.
It should be eaten right away.
Just eat your lunch and try to stay.
I want to make it with you.
I want to make it... I want to make it with you.
And as the sun retires and plays tricks with the light,
I'll give you my love.
The bees inside your hive will start to come alive,
And we'll make honey for the doves, and we'll make honey for the doves.
Can't think of nothing left to say.
I feel my body start to sway; strange things you're doing to my mind.
I'm liking what I see; now is you hearing me?
Put on your glasses; are you blind?
I want to make it with you.
I want to make it... I want to make it with you.
The opening lines of the song "Make it with you" by Hugh Cornwell is a representation of an intense physical attraction that the singer feels for their beloved. The fire rushing through their veins has caused them to sweat, and there's an urgency in their tone. The lyrics, "I'm on a beeline straight for you," suggest that the singer has a specific goal they want to achieve, and that is to be with their beloved.
The singer seems to have a craving to be intimate with the person they admire. They offer them fruits from the promised land and invite them to take a seat. These actions and words are suggestive of a person who wants to build intimacy and closeness with another person. They also indicate that the singer desires to nurture and care for their beloved.
Lastly, the song's closing lines are a metaphor for making love. The imagery of the bees inside the hive coming alive and making honey is a metaphor for two partners coming together and creating something sweet and beautiful. Overall, the song is about desire and intimacy, and the lyrics' suggestive nature is a testament to that.
Line by Line Meaning
It's like a rushing fire. I feel my skin perspire.
I am overcome with intense passion and desire, my body is reacting to the heat of the moment.
There's only one thing left to do.
It is undeniable that I must follow my instincts and pursue you.
I see the Earth below me part. I hear a gunshot at the start.
The world around me is fading away, and I am fully focused on my pursuit of you. My excitement for this journey feels as sudden and explosive as a gunshot.
I'm on a beeline straight for you.
My path is clear and direct. I am fully committed to reaching my goal and winning you over.
I want to make it with you.
My ultimate desire is to be intimate with you in a physical and emotional sense.
I've got some fruit here in my hand; it's ripe, and from the promised land.
I am offering you something pure and nourishing, a symbol of the good things that could come from being with me.
It should be eaten right away.
Don't hesitate to indulge in this moment with me, as opportunity may pass us by.
You look so hungry, by the door, just take a chair, and tell me more.
I can see that you are yearning for something more in life, and I want to hear about it. Let's sit and connect, and see where this could lead us.
Just eat your lunch and try to stay.
Don't let your worries or responsibilities distract you from this moment we are sharing. Focus on what feels good and right, and stay present in the moment.
And as the sun retires and plays tricks with the light, I'll give you my love.
As our day together comes to a close, I will offer you my affection and devotion. My love for you will transcend time and circumstance.
The bees inside your hive will start to come alive, And we'll make honey for the doves, and we'll make honey for the doves.
As we embrace and connect, the energy between us will create something beautiful and harmonious, much like bees producing honey. Our love will spread positivity and peace throughout the world.
Can't think of nothing left to say.
I am left speechless by the intensity of my feelings for you. There is nothing more to be said.
I feel my body start to sway; strange things you're doing to my mind.
My physical and emotional reactions to you are profound and mysterious. You have a powerful effect on me and I am swept away by your presence.
I'm liking what I see; now is you hearing me?
I am enjoying the connection between us and feel that you are too. Are you open to what I am saying and offering?
Put on your glasses; are you blind?
I am urging you to truly see and understand the feelings between us. Don't let anything cloud your vision or judgement.
I want to make it with you.
My ultimate desire is to be intimate with you in a physical and emotional sense.
I want to make it... I want to make it with you.
Repeating this line emphasizes how deeply I desire and crave a connection with you, and how important pursuing it is to me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HUGH CORNWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SkyzNet
Within You Or Without You
Hugh Cornwell
June 2008
invested time making sure she's fine with no fishing line just a washing line
I have to say it was worth the play to be making hay on a praying day
so I made my bed and I slept instead I got overfed and where all that led
I soon found out there was doubt about underneath the pout and the quivering snout
either within you or without you
either within you or without you
I am without you
I am without you
I soldiered through all the me and yous and the bedroom blues and the kitchen stews
I have to say that no days were grey my feet were clay but I slept ok
what got me down was the growing frown the collective noun and the female hounds
I didn't mind cos she was kind though she was blind to the highway signs
either within you or without you
either within you or without you
I am without you
I am without you
I am without you
I am without you
so I drink my milk even though it's spilt and the flowers wilt over love that's killt
and I read `my book now I'm off the hook I still like to look across the babbling brook
and I'm living fast for what come's to pass it's like passing gas cos nothing ever lasts
you'll hear me say it's just another day I've enjoyed my stay but I'll be on my way
either within you or without you
either within you or without you
I am without you
I am without you
I am without you
I am without you
Daniel Hunt
Caz Campbell, great bass player.
atomicFlyer
This is Hugh! Best song I've heard recently! Who are the other band members? Great trio.
Bob Dean
Go Hugh! I agree with Atomic Flier on the electric line-up, but your accoustic set is excellent too. Hopefully this new material will give you the wider audience you deserve.
sofaguard
i cant stop listening to this its fantastic.
bilebeast
I met Hugh at NXNE a couple weeks back, and he actually told me about this album. Missed his movie though. Amazing guy, and I think this is still amazing stuff. Bands change sounds and line ups. The stranglers are a different stranglers, Hugh's a different Hugh. But the thing with the ol' 77 punks is that they're coming back without destroying themselves musically. Check out some of the Damned's new stuff. Still fantastic, but evolved.
Alexander Hemzal
Great song, good video - thanks Hugh. Can't stop listening.
atomicFlyer
For the record Hoover Dam is a great new album. It gets better with each listen, just like most of Hugh's/Stranglers stuff. I'm gonna order the cd, because the free download is not the highest quality (but a good intro). Hugh works the telecaster throughout the album. Some real nice guitar licks.
beachred
UTTERLY amazing...pisses on everything the Stranglers have done since Hugh left, and even a bit before. What a trio! Love it!
From a Twisted Mind Band
Love this song. My new fave Hugh track
Colin Brittain
Looking forward to seeing Hugh at the rescue rooms. Kicking myself for not listening to him before. He's a diamond geeeezaa