Throughout his prolific career, James Newton Howard has scored films of all scales and genres, earning multiple award nominations for his work. Howard began studying music as a young child and went on to attend the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California and then majored in piano performance at the University of Southern California. After Howard left college, he toured with Elton John and Toto as a keyboardist during the late 1970s and early 1980s before moving into film music in the mid-1980s.
By the 1990s, Howard truly hit his career stride, scoring the surprise blockbuster romantic comedy Pretty Woman (1990) and receiving his first Academy Award nomination for his score for Barbra Streisand's drama The Prince of Tides (1991). Setting the musical mood for numerous films throughout the decade, Howard's skills encompassed a plethora of genres, including two more best original score Oscar nominations, the Harrison Ford actioner The Fugitive (1993) and the Julia Roberts romantic comedy My Best Friend's Wedding. In addition, Howard scored the Western epic Wyatt Earp (1994), the legal drama Primal Fear (1996), and the blockbuster M. Night Shyamalan suspense thrillers The Sixth Sense (1999), Unbreakable (2000), Signs (2002), and The Village (2004). His collaborations on tunes for One Fine Day (1996) and Junior (1994) garnered Best Song nods. Along with scoring such smaller, character-driven films as Five Corners (1988), Glengarry Glen Ross (1992), and American Heart (1993), Howard proved equally skilled at composing for big-budget Hollywood spectacles, including Space Jam (1996), Dante's Peak (1997), Dinosaur (2000), and Collateral (2004). Although for Dante's Peak he only composed the main theme only, the score itself was composed by John Frizzell. Though he concentrated primarily on films, Howard has also contributed music for TV series, earning an Emmy nomination in 1995 for his theme to NBC's ratings smash ER.
Howard is now one of the most recognized composers for film. His work in 2004 on The Village, with violin solos by Hilary Hahn, earned him an Oscar nomination. Since, he has composed for several major motion pictures, notably the score for Batman Begins which he co-wrote with Hans Zimmer. On October 14, 2005, it was officially announced that Howard would replace Howard Shore as composer for King Kong, due to "differing creative aspirations for the score" between Shore and director Peter Jackson. The resultant score earned Howard his first Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Score.
Since then he has been nominated for Best Original Score for the legal thriller Michael Clayton in 2008 and the war film Defiance in 2009. Since then he has composed music for blockbuster franchises and solo films including I Am Legend,The Dark Knight with Hans Zimmer, all of The Hunger Games films and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. He was nominated for another Academy Award nomination in 2021 for his work on News of the World
Three Years Later
James Newton Howard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And feel this place
This place I never thought would feel like home
And I ran forever
Far away and I
I always thought I'd end up here alone
Somehow
The world has changed and
I've come home
To give you back the things they took from you
And I feel you now
I'm not allone I'll
Always know where you are
When I see myself I'll always
Know where you are
Where you are
And I found something
That was always there
Sometimes it's got to hurt before you feel
But now I'm strong and
I won't kneel
Except to thank who's watching over me
Somehow
I feel so strong and I've begun
To be the one I never thought I'd be
And I feel you now
I'm not alone
When I see myself
I'll always know where you are
Where you are
Now, it's all so clear and
I believe
That everything's been opened up to me
And I feel you now
I'm not alone
I always know
I always know where you are
When I see myself I'll
Always know where you are
When I feel the sun I'll
Always know where you are
When I see myself I'll
Always know where you are
Where you are
In "Three Years Later," the lyrics explore themes of self-discovery, healing, and reconnection with one’s past after a period of struggle and solitude. The opening lines paint a vivid picture of awakening and emergence, suggesting that the singer has emerged from a difficult phase in life. The reference to the sun symbolizes warmth, hope, and a renewed outlook on life, while the mention of a place that felt foreign yet now feels like home indicates a shift in emotional and psychological landscape. This transformation suggests that the singer has undergone a significant journey, one that involved leaving behind feelings of isolation and now facing the present with a sense of belonging.
The lyrics delve into the idea of running away, a metaphor for escaping from pain or confusion. The singer acknowledges having sought distance, possibly from their own emotions or past traumas, with the expectation that solitude would be their ultimate fate. However, the realization that they have come back is pivotal; instead of returning to loneliness, they find a sense of community and support that they hadn't anticipated. The journey depicted highlights not only a physical return but also an emotional one, where the singer is determined to reclaim what was lost, both for themselves and for someone else, revealing a commitment to holistic healing and reconciliation.
As the singer processes their past, they reflect on the trials endured, suggesting that pain is sometimes necessary for personal growth and self-awareness. The poignant line about strength juxtaposed with gratitude demonstrates a newfound resilience, as the singer rises above their challenges and acknowledges the support they've received from higher powers or loved ones. This strengthening illustrates a transformation from vulnerability to empowerment, fostering a proactive attitude toward life, wherein they elevate their spirit through gratitude while encouraging a sense of agency, asserting that they have become the person they always aspired to be.
The lyrics culminate in a powerful resolution that intertwines self-recognition with a sense of connection to others, even those not physically present. A recurring motif throughout the song is the belief that one's spirit continues to exist in the context of love and memory, blurring the lines between past and present. The singer expresses a deep awareness of that connection, which allows them to navigate life feeling less isolated. The concluding sentiment assures that the love and memories of others are an enduring source of comfort and strength, reinforcing the idea that true connection persists even across distances and time, ultimately leading to an illuminated understanding of self and unconditional support.
Line by Line Meaning
It's good to see the sun
Experiencing the warmth and brightness of life is refreshing and uplifting.
And feel this place
To immerse myself in the sensations and reality of my surroundings.
This place I never thought would feel like home
I am surprised to discover a sense of belonging in a location I previously dismissed.
And I ran forever
I have been on a long journey, searching for a sense of purpose and direction.
Far away and I
I travelled great distances, both physically and emotionally.
I always thought I'd end up here alone
I expected to reach this point in solitude, without companionship or support.
Somehow
In a way that is difficult to explain, things have shifted.
The world has changed and
Circumstances and perceptions around me have evolved.
I've come home
I have returned to a place or state of being that feels right and familiar.
To give you back the things they took from you
I have returned to restore what was lost or stolen from someone important to me.
And I feel you now
I am consciously aware of your presence and influence in my life.
I'm not alone I'll
I recognize that I am supported and accompanied, not in isolation.
Always know where you are
I will always have an awareness of your existence and significance.
When I see myself I'll always
In moments of self-reflection, I will be reminded of our bond.
Know where you are
My understanding of myself is intertwined with my connection to you.
Where you are
I have a continual awareness of your state and situation.
And I found something
I have discovered a significant realization or connection.
That was always there
This truth or presence has existed for a long time, hidden from my view.
Sometimes it's got to hurt before you feel
Pain can be a necessary part of the process to achieve deeper emotional awareness.
But now I'm strong and
Having endured challenges, I have emerged with resilience.
I won't kneel
I refuse to succumb to defeat or weakness.
Except to thank who's watching over me
I will only bow in gratitude to the guiding forces or supportive figures in my life.
Somehow
In a way that feels profound and transformative.
I feel so strong and I've begun
I am experiencing newfound strength and I have started my journey of self-discovery.
To be the one I never thought I'd be
I am evolving into a version of myself that I once thought was unattainable.
And I feel you now
I have an acute awareness of your influence in my current state.
I'm not alone
I acknowledge that I have companionship and support.
I'll always know where you are
My connection to you remains steadfast and clear.
When I see myself
In moments of introspection and self-acknowledgment.
I'll always know where you are
My self-awareness will always be linked to my awareness of you.
Where you are
I maintain an understanding of your presence and circumstances.
Now, it's all so clear and
I have gained clarity and understanding regarding my life and connections.
I believe
I hold a sense of faith and conviction.
That everything's been opened up to me
Opportunities and insights are now accessible to me.
And I feel you now
I am presently aware of your essence and support.
I'm not alone
I recognize that I am not isolated in my journey.
I always know
I maintain a constant awareness.
I always know where you are
My perception of you remains consistent and ever-present.
When I see myself I'll
During moments of self-recognition and contemplation.
Always know where you are
My understanding of self will always reflect my awareness of you.
When I feel the sun I'll
When I experience joy and warmth in life.
Always know where you are
I will be reminded of you during joyful moments.
When I see myself I'll
In instances of introspection.
Always know where you are
My self-awareness will always connect back to you.
Where you are
I have perpetual awareness of your being and presence.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JAMES NEWTON HOWARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chrishuchthausen3899
Ein grossartiger Komponist und toller Mensch. Ich hatte das Glück ihn in Frankfurt live erleben zu können. Ich hoffe noch auf viele weitere Kompositionen.