Yet, just one year ago - with two albums already to his name, a raft of rave reviews, and a legion of fans from five years of solid gigging - Jack was about to pack it all in.
Having left his former label and management, he had become thoroughly disillusioned with the music biz at the age of 27. “I was seriously thinking about giving it all up,” he admits. He had just gotten married, had a kid on the way, and hadn't written a song in months.
Then, contemplating his next move last summer, a song came into his head. “I was thinking my career was over before it had really begun. Then this song came along and made me realise I wanted to make another album.”
That song, 'Knock Knock,' is one of the 13 self-penned songs that make up 'Before the Storm.' It's Jack's third album, but he sees it as a new beginning. “For me this is like starting all over again. The first two albums came from my imagination, but for this one I have drawn on my personal experience.”
The songs on 'Before the Storm' chart a turbulent relationship, and articulate the emotional dilemma of a young man torn between enjoying his freedom and settling down with the love of his life. There are fast songs and slow songs, sad ones and happy ones, songs about wild nights on the town and dark nights of the soul. What they share is the honesty of the lyrics and the catchiness of the tunes.
The son of a Polish-German model, whose own parents had fled the Holocaust, and an Italian actor who fled home to escape terrorist death threats, he grew up in London, Italy and Switzerland. Having spent school days “looking out of the window”, he first planned to become a footballer.
Next came a plan to study film in California, prompted by seeing 'The Graduate' at the age of 16, and falling in love with its Simon & Garfunkel soundtrack. That ambition was dramatically thwarted by Jack leaving home on September 11, 2001. “I woke up on a plane halfway across the Atlantic with military jets outside the window and the captain telling us the Pentagon had been hit, and the Twin Towers were no longer standing.” Fourteen frightening hours after taking off in Zurich, he was landing in Geneva. “My California dream came to a pretty abrupt end.”
When he finally made it to Los Angeles, he found a nation in shock, but fell in love with the city and its music. Encouraged by his mother, who had hung out with Hendrix and the Stones in her modelling years, he picked up a guitar and began to write tunes for the poetry he had written at school.
The outcome was 'Between The Minds', a debut album that showcased Jack's husky voice and knack for a catchy tune. Radio 2 loved it and he was invited to tour Europe with Corinne Bailey Rae, culminating in a gig in front of 9,000 fans at Hammersmith Apollo.
But Jack and his indie label were fighting to be heard against the machine of the industry. “It was just the wrong time for me to try to break through.”
A headline tour of Caffe Nero branches around Britain helped generate a buzz about Jack, but his second album, 'Harder than Easy,' failed to reach the audience it deserved when he parted ways with his first label.
Fast-forward to the Spring of 2012 and Jack is in the studio around the corner from his home. Recorded in just four days at KensalTown Studios, 'Before the Storm' is produced by Martin Terefe and The Suppliers, the Scandinavian collective behind a host of hits for artists including James Morrison and Jason Mraz.
“After eight years I have finally found my sound,” says Jack. “I feel like this is my first album. The first two felt like my education and my college years, and this feels like my first real job. I sat down and decided I wanted to make a great album, where every song could stand alone and yet be part of a great album. I think we've achieved it. I am very proud of this album.”
http://www.jacksavoretti.com/
For The Last Time
Jack Savoretti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've heard it all before every single phrase
Wipe away the tears drowning out my days
Give me back the years that you took away
Believe me when I tell you that it's over
I'm never coming back this way again
I'm getting wiser, I'm getting older
I forgive and I forget
For the last time, for the last time
And I'll take what I can get
For the last time, for the last time
I don't want to know what you're doing here
It's nothing you can do I'm not afraid of fear
I've seen it all before, bruises on my bones
If you don't win this war it's gonna make it whole
Believe me when I tell you that it's over
There's just some things that time can't erase
I'm getting tired of looking back over my shoulder
So I'm walking away, I'm walking away
I forgive and I forget
For the last time, for the last time
And I'll take what I can get
For the last time, for the last time
I'm walking away
Jack Savoretti's song 'For The Last Time' is a powerful ballad about moving on and letting go of a toxic relationship. The opening lines "I don't want to hear what you have to say, I've heard it all before every single phrase" set the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is tired of the repetitive nature of the relationship, and is now focused on gaining back the years that were lost. The phrase "Wipe away the tears drowning out my days" speaks to the heavy emotional toll that the relationship had on the singer, and their desire to start anew.
As the song progresses, the singer becomes more resolute, declaring that they are never going back. The lines "I'm getting wiser, I'm getting older, So I'm walking away, I'm walking away" show a newfound strength and confidence. The repetition of the phrase "For the last time" in the chorus reinforces the finality of the decision to move on. The singer is forgiving and forgetting, but this time it truly is for the last time.
The second verse adds even more depth to the song's message. The lines "I don't want to know what you're doing here, It's nothing you can do I'm not afraid of fear" demonstrate the singer's unwillingness to be intimidated by their ex-partner. The line "I've seen it all before, bruises on my bones" is a poignant reminder of the physical and emotional scars left behind by the relationship. Ultimately, the singer is done with the past and is ready to embrace a new future by walking away.
Overall, 'For The Last Time' is a powerful anthem about the importance of self-love and the strength to let go of toxic relationships. It inspires listeners to have the courage to move on and to never settle for less than they deserve.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want to hear what you have to say
I don't want to listen to a rehearsed speech of apologies that I have already heard before
I've heard it all before every single phrase
Your remorseful words are repetitive and monotonous
Wipe away the tears drowning out my days
Your betrayal and lies are still affecting me emotionally
Give me back the years that you took away
I regret spending a significant part of my life with someone who was not worth my time
Believe me when I tell you that it's over
I have finally come to terms with the fact that our relationship is beyond repair
I'm never coming back this way again
I don't need or want you in my life anymore
I'm getting wiser, I'm getting older
I have matured and learned from this experience, and I won't make the same mistakes again
So I'm walking away, I'm walking away
I am leaving this chapter of my life behind and moving on without you
I forgive and I forget
I have decided to let go of the past and the grudges I held against you
For the last time, for the last time
This is the final time I will give you a chance to make things right
And I'll take what I can get
I am not expecting much, but I am willing to accept an apology or a gesture of goodwill
I don't want to know what you're doing here
Your presence is not welcome or necessary
It's nothing you can do I'm not afraid of fear
I am no longer scared of the unknown or of being alone
I've seen it all before, bruises on my bones
I have been through enough pain and suffering caused by you
If you don't win this war it's gonna make it whole
If you don't make amends or show remorse, it will confirm that our relationship was a mistake from the start
There's just some things that time can't erase
Not all wounds and hurt feelings can be forgotten or forgiven with time
I'm getting tired of looking back over my shoulder
I don't want to dwell on the past or hold onto any regrets
I forgive and I forget
I am letting go of the hurt and anger, and moving on with an open heart
For the last time, for the last time
This is it, our final chance to make peace and say goodbye
And I'll take what I can get
I am willing to accept anything positive from this situation
I'm walking away
I am leaving the past behind and taking control of my own life and happiness
Contributed by Matthew A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Erika Swanepoel
Absolutely adore his music. So talented and soulful . Raspy voice gives me shivers down my spine.
Thank you Jack❤️
Tatiana Sirbu
Absolutely adore his music & voice. Love it ❤
Patti Allen
Sums up everything I went through!
Perfect Jack, just perfect, thank you yet again!
Jana Fischer
This song is so incredibly beautiful! ❤️
MrDarkerthenblack
I just discovered him today, but I am already a great admirer. He has such a good voice. It is so pleasent to listen to him. Also the lyrics have deep meaning. He has all to be a top star. Hope he will get the fame he deserves in my opinion.
heyitsjude ****
MrDarkerthenblack same here..He's awesome!!👍🙆❤
Helena
Absolutely true 👍
D Bre
Omg jack your tugging at my heart strings.only just discovered you but I can listen to your music all day long can really relate to the lyrics takes me to the deeper darker part of my soul absolutely beautiful.😥💔
MrMartinmarc
can't listen to it for the last time...,
Savoretti for me is really talented, and his music is timeless
Rosemary Shelley
LOVE this man’s voice❣️