Allegedly nicknamed "King Monkey" by Dodgy's drummer Mathew Priest. Brown is well known to standout from the crowd and had his own unique style, whilst in The Roses he used to often wear big baggy flares and his landmark t-shirt with banknotes on. He now has a more casual look: Adidas Jackets, tracksuit bottoms, army trousers and a pair of shades. He is also recognisable for his varying hairstyles including: Blonde mohawk (early Stone Roses days) short (also early Stone roses days) undercut (similar to John Squire's) Big Hair (1989) bob cut (early 90's) Skinhead and his most well known hairdo long and shaggy with a fringe.
He has had two top 5 singles in the UK, My Star and Dolphins Were Monkeys. In 2005 he collaborated with Noel Gallagher from Oasis for the track Keep What Ya Got. He has also collaborated with U.N.K.L.E. on two tracks, 1999's Be There and Reign in 2004.
Recently Brown has started playing Stone Roses songs during gigs, fuelling speculation that a reunion may be on the cards. But In September 2005 Ian appeared to rule out a Stone Roses reunion saying "there's more chance of me reforming the Happy Mondays than the Roses". Happy Mondays in fact have reformed, but yet Brown appears pessimistic about a likelihood of any reunion. A reunion would also hinge on the co-operation of Roses guitarist John Squire who recently stated his desire to turn his back on music and focus on painting.
His latest album, My Way, was released September 2009.
Keep What Ya Got
Ian Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tomorrow will we see?
Today now you're at the wheel.
I'll ask â??how does it feel?â??
Yesterday when heaven's gates I contemplate.
They seem so far.
Today they ain't so far away and almost seem a drag.
Keep what yer got by giving it all away.
Keep what yer got, hold it don't stop.
Keep what yer got, by giving it all away.
When your halo slips for good you'll have to wear your hood.
Good to feel the breeze of fear on all the cynics.
And you mimic all you losers all abusers wasting all my precious energy.
Keep what yer got by giving it all away.
Keep what yer got by giving it all away.
Keep what yer got, hold it don't stop.
Keep what yer got, by giving it all away.
Remember where you came from.
Sister she told ya on a rainy day.
It's said that heaven holds a place for all of those who pray.
And if you don't believe in agony then you don't care anyway.
Nobody or nothing's ever getting in your way.
Even as you cradle on but don't think you'll be long.
No-ones gonna notice if yer never right or wrong.
And if you and your next neighbour, yeah you don't quite get along.
No-ones gonna notice if your singing anyway.
Those not coming with with the few well then they gotta pay.
The lyrics of Ian Brown's song Keep What Ya Got convey the message to value what one has, not to take it for granted and to share it with others. The verse "Yesterday came suddenly. Tomorrow will we see? Today now you're at the wheel. I'll ask â??how does it feel?â??" suggests that the future is uncertain and that one should live in the present and appreciate what they have. The following line "Yesterday when heaven's gates I contemplate. They seem so far. Today they ain't so far away and almost seem a drag" implies that when one is faced with troubles, the idea of heaven seems distant, but as things get better, it becomes less significant.
The chorus "Keep what yer got by giving it all away" represents the idea of sharing one's accolades, blessings, and fortunes with others to help elevate them. The lines "When your halo slips for good you'll have to wear your hood. Good to feel the breeze of fear on all the cynics. And you mimic all you losers all abusers wasting all my precious energy." indicate the presence of negative people one might encounter in life, and it is important not to be affected by their actions but to have control over the situation.
The verse "Remember where you came from. Sister she told ya on a rainy day. It's said that heaven holds a place for all of those who pray. And if you don't believe in agony then you don't care anyway. Nobody or nothing's ever getting in your way" urges the listener to remain rooted in their past and to remember the lessons they learnt. Moreover, it indicates that if one doesn't believe in something, they will not make any effort towards it, which might lead to stagnation.
Overall, the song encourages the listener to appreciate what they have, be mindful of others, and to give back to society.
Line by Line Meaning
Yesterday came suddenly.
The past can seem like it happened very quickly and unexpectedly.
Tomorrow will we see?
The future is uncertain and we don't know what will happen.
Today now you're at the wheel.
You are in control of your life and making decisions for yourself.
I'll ask 'how does it feel?'
I'm curious about your experience and how you're feeling.
Yesterday when heaven's gates I contemplate.
In the past, I thought heaven was far away and out of reach.
They seem so far.
Heaven used to feel like an unattainable goal.
Today they ain't so far away and almost seem a drag.
Now, heaven is closer and doesn't hold the same appeal it once did.
Keep what yer got by giving it all away.
You can hold onto what you have by being generous and giving it away to others.
When your halo slips for good you'll have to wear your hood.
When you can no longer pretend to be good, you'll have to deal with the consequences of your actions.
Good to feel the breeze of fear on all the cynics.
It can be satisfying to see those who doubt you become afraid.
And you mimic all you losers all abusers wasting all my precious energy.
Copying those who are negative or abusive will just drain your energy and resources.
Remember where you came from.
Don't forget your roots and where you started from.
Sister she told ya on a rainy day.
Someone close to you gave you advice when you needed it.
It's said that heaven holds a place for all of those who pray.
Believers think that heaven is reserved for those who have faith and pray.
And if you don't believe in agony then you don't care anyway.
If you are indifferent to the struggles of others, you don't really care about them.
Nobody or nothing's ever getting in your way.
You feel like nothing can stop you from achieving your goals.
Even as you cradle on, but don't think you'll be long.
Despite feeling powerful in the moment, you won't be able to hold onto it forever.
No-ones gonna notice if yer never right or wrong.
No one is really paying attention to whether you're successful or not.
And if you and your next neighbour, yeah you don't quite get along.
If you're not able to get along with your neighbor, it doesn't really matter.
No-ones gonna notice if your singing anyway.
No one is really paying attention to what you do or say.
Those not coming with with the few, well then they gotta pay.
Those who don't conform to the norms will be punished or excluded.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: IAN BROWN, NOEL GALLAGHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SG-lh7up
Been a long time. I forgot how fantastic this song is. Noel wrote it, very cool of him to let Ian sing it. But it all works SO WELL. And the last scene, them together: Ian's attitude and charisma, as good as it gets. No one's gonna notice if you're sinking anyway - those who're coming in for free will learn they gotta pay. Aye.
@gowerbarnes
Noel did t write it all
@MelmanSeaWeed
Great tune.
@XoXo475
It’s based on the piano riff from Teotihuacan written by Noel for the first X Files movie.
@benthomas1885
Am Mancunian and the last shot is like a distillation of town. Chins right up and what you saying?
@supersonic60277
Actually it goes like this: " No one's gonna notice if you're singing anyway
Those not coming in for free well they, they gotta pay
Ah..."
@darrensymonds4006
I’m a proud yorkshire lad .. but these Manc tunes have been the sound track to my youth… and still love them to this day👌
@darrensymonds4006
@@arrell1xyz nah r kid... it’s bobbins
@darrensymonds4006
@@arrell1xyz can’t beat the Corkhills
@loafhead73
Maybe you still love them because it's fuc%*ng awesome music and timeless! Just a hunch.