Along with the likes of Lily Allen, Jamie T, Kate Nash, Adele, etc, he is often included in the "Estuary English" pack of UK musicians - the 2006/2007 UK trend of young musicians singing without consciously altering their spoken English accent. (Estuary English being the accent commonly found around the south east of England, most notably in London [and even more notably among the youth], considered a compromise between Cockney and RP)
At 17 he started the band Jack's Basement with his friend Felix White. The band split in two, one half going on to form The Maccabees, the other forming Jack Peñate's band, including Joel Porter (bass) and Alex Robins (drums). Having started a Classics degree at UCL he hooked up with London indie club and label, Young Turks and his studies were dropped in favour of a music career.
His eclectic mix of styles incorporates elements of his varied influences which range from rockabilly and folk to jazz and trip-hop. He lists Prince, Jeff Buckley, Shuggie Otis, Todd Rundgren, JJ Cale, Harry Nilsson and Herbie Hancock among his influences. Yet he delivers a genuine London voice and still manages to sound original.
His live performances are characterised by his much commented, "individualist" style of dancing where he plays guitar and dances simultaneously with a vigorous fluidity - he finds it hard to keep still.
In autumn 2006, Peñate signed to XL Recordings who delivered main-stream success with the release of his debut album Matinée. It was followed up in 2009 with Everything is New.
We Will Be Here
Jack Peñate Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
By we, I mean all humanity
Endless universe out in front of me
Some say, earth?s a tiny obscurity
Maybe in size, but if you're wise
And close your eyes, lose all your guise
Part of the deal is do not conceal
The stars can't feel a lover's touch
The kiss that makes your body rush
Embrace your sleeping sweetheart with hush
And the words, I love you mean so much
Above in the sky, diamond lights fly
Makes us think, why, we're here then we die
Questions are asked but answers don't last
We look to the past, comfort so fast
The stars can't feel a lover's touch
The kiss that makes your body rush
Embrace your sleeping sweetheart with hush
And the words, I love you mean so much
I can wish upon a star but wouldn't wish to be that far
I can wish upon a star but wouldn't wish to be that far
I can wish upon a star but wouldn't wish to be that far
I can wish upon a star but wouldn't wish to be that far
I can wish upon a star but wouldn't wish to be that far
When time's passed so long
When the world has gone
There won't be this song
But that isn't wrong
Love will be here
In atoms of tears
Kisses and fears
Live on all years
The stars can't feel a lover's touch
The kiss that makes your body rush
Embrace your sleeping sweetheart with hush
And the words, I love you mean so much
I can wish upon a star but wouldn't wish to be that far
I can wish upon a star but wouldn't wish to be that far
I can wish upon a star but wouldn't wish to be that far
I can wish upon a star but wouldn't wish to be that far
Ohh, ohh, ohh, ohh
We will be here
The song We Will Be Here by Jack Penate is a thoughtful contemplation on the vastness of the universe and the smallness of humanity. The lyrics emphasize that despite our size, we are still a part of something greater and that we are capable of feeling and experiencing the world around us. Penate's lyrics suggest that while the universe may be endless, the human ability to love and feel emotion is what really matters in the grand scheme of things.
The first verse emphasizes the smallness of humanity in the grand scale of the universe, but also the significance of our ability to feel and experience the world around us. The second verse reflects on the questions that arise about our existence and the past, and suggests that finding comfort in our ability to love is what really matters. The repeated chorus emphasizes the importance of love and the fact that it will endure beyond this song and even beyond humanity's existence. The final verse offers a hopeful message that love, in all of its forms, will continue to exist and be meaningful even when humanity is gone.
The overall message of the song is that despite our smallness and the fact that we may not have all the answers about the universe, we are capable of love and that is what truly matters. The lyrics suggest that love is eternal, and in the face of the vastness and uncertainty of the universe, it is the one thing we can hold onto and cherish.
Line by Line Meaning
So small, oh, so small are we
Humanity and our planet Earth are minuscule compared to the vastness of the universe.
Endless universe out in front of me
The universe is infinite and unending, expanding in all directions.
Some say, earth's a tiny obscurity
Some people believe that our planet is insignificant and irrelevant on a cosmic scale.
Maybe in size, but if you're wise
While our physical size may be small, wisdom and intelligence can make us powerful and impactful.
And close your eyes, lose all your guise
By closing our eyes and shedding our pretenses, we can see beyond our physical limitations and connect with something greater.
Part of the deal is do not conceal
Authenticity is an essential aspect of life, and we shouldn't hide our true selves.
That we can feel, this is all real
Our emotions and experiences are valid and genuine, even if our physical existence is small compared to the universe.
Above in the sky, diamond lights fly
The stars in the sky provide a glittering, awe-inspiring reminder of the boundless possibilities of the universe.
Makes us think, why, we're here then we die
Seeing the stars and contemplating the universe can lead us to question our purpose in life and the inevitability of death.
Questions are asked but answers don't last
While we may seek answers to our deepest questions, those answers may be fleeting and impermanent.
We look to the past, comfort so fast
Sometimes, reflecting on the past can provide comfort and a sense of grounding in an uncertain world.
When time's passed so long
As time goes on and the world changes, some things endure.
When the world has gone
Even if the world as we know it ceases to exist, some things will continue on.
There won't be this song
This specific song may not endure, but the ideas and emotions it conveys will live on.
Love will be here
Love is a powerful force that endures beyond time and space and will continue to exist.
In atoms of tears
Even the smallest components of our bodies contain traces of the love we've shared and the experiences we've had.
Kisses and fears
Our most intimate and vulnerable moments are infused with love and fear, both of which will persist.
Live on all years
Love endures and lasts throughout all of time, even when we are small and seemingly insignificant.
The stars can't feel a lover's touch
Even though the stars may be beautiful and inspiring, they lack human emotions and experiences.
The kiss that makes your body rush
Physical and emotional intimacy are powerful experiences that connect us to love and life.
Embrace your sleeping sweetheart with hush
Holding a loved one close and cherishing moments of peace can be some of the most meaningful and powerful experiences in our lives.
And the words, I love you mean so much
Expressing our love for others, through words or actions, can be an essential part of living a fulfilled life.
I can wish upon a star but wouldn't wish to be that far
We may look to the stars for guidance or inspiration, but ultimately we choose to remain connected to our human experiences.
We will be here
Although we may be small in the vastness of the universe, humanity and our capacity for love and connection endure.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JACK PENATE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind