He started playing guitar and writing his own songs at the age of 14 and soon learned how to record and produce himself, even making his own house tracks and DJing. At 20 he moved to London, started a band, played live and got signed to Island Records.
His second album, Revolve, was released in 2015. The lead single, Come and Get It, was released on 17th July 2015.
His older brother, James Newman represented United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with the song Embers, which ended on a 26th and last place with nul points.
Gold Dust
John Newman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm throwing out these 2 years of thoughts
Please and take a deep breath
I'll lay my heart out, yea I put it on the floor
Tears crash down
Don't face, not now
Screaming out how I changed through time
To say we've been defeated
But everything around me has changed
My my
I'll be here
Gold dust
Gold dust
Gold dust
(No more)
Tear drops
Tear drops
Tear drops
Memories, without fortune or fame
Endlessly, through the night and through the day
We make hard times seem easy
Dark days seem so pleasing
But everything around me has changed
My my
I'll be here
Gold dust
Gold dust
Gold dust
(No more)
Tear drops
Tear drops
Tear drops
And I'm so sorry darling
When I wake you're just gonna leave
And I don't want you to be lonely
'Cause I know you'll find your love again
And I promise I'll stop calling
If it makes it easy for you
It hurt to see you leaving
But it's for the best believe me, my friend
Gold dust
Gold dust
Gold dust
(No more)
Tear drops
Tear drops
Tear drops
Gold dust
Gold dust
Gold dust
(No more)
Tear drops
Tear drops
Tear drops
Gold dust
Gold dust
Gold dust
(No more)
Tear drops
Tear drops
Tear drops
The lyrics of John Newman's "Gold Dust" reflect a conversation between two lovers who have come to a point in their relationship where they need to face difficult truths. The singer is confessing his deepest thoughts and asking his partner to listen as he pours his heart out. He acknowledges that it's painful to accept that their relationship is coming to an end, but tries to remain positive, saying that although everything around them is changing, he will still be there for her. The chorus plays out repeatedly, as a metaphor for emotions - the gold dust signifies good memories, while tear drops represent the sad ones.
The melancholic tone of the lyrics is reflected in the slow, soaring background music. The lyrics use a mix of metaphors and plain language to convey the singer's message. For instance, tears are described as "crashing down," while "gold dust" represents the memories he wants to hold onto. The song's central message is that although separation is painful, it can sometimes be the right thing to do, especially if both parties have grown apart over time. Overall, the song portrays the struggle of letting go of a relationship that has run its course, but finding beauty and hope in the memories.
Line by Line Meaning
You and I, it's my time to talk
It's time for me to open up to you and share my thoughts.
I'm throwing out these 2 years of thoughts
I'm letting go of two years' worth of thoughts and feelings.
Please and take a deep breath
Please take a deep breath and listen to what I have to say.
I'll lay my heart out, yea I put it on the floor
I'm going to share my heart with you and be completely open and honest.
Tears crash down
I'm crying uncontrollably.
Don't face, not now
I can't face this right now.
Screaming out how I changed through time
I'm expressing how much I've changed over time.
I know it's hard to leave it
I know it's difficult to let go.
To say we've been defeated
To acknowledge that we have lost the battle.
But everything around me has changed
Everything in my life has changed.
My my
This emphasizes the magnitude of the changes.
I'll be here
I will remain present and supportive.
Gold dust
This represents something precious and valuable.
Tear drops
This represents sadness, pain, and loss.
Memories, without fortune or fame
Memories are important even if they are not associated with wealth or fame.
Endlessly, through the night and through the day
Memories can last forever, day and night.
We make hard times seem easy
Together we can make difficult times less challenging.
Dark days seem so pleasing
Even the darkest of days can be seen in a positive light.
And I'm so sorry darling
I feel regret for causing pain to my loved one.
When I wake you're just gonna leave
I know that when I wake up, you will be gone.
And I don't want you to be lonely
I care about your well-being and don't want you to feel lonely.
'Cause I know you'll find your love again
I trust that you will find love again.
And I promise I'll stop calling
I will stop contacting you to make things easier for you.
If it makes it easy for you
I want to do what's best for you and make things less difficult.
It hurt to see you leaving
It was painful to watch you go.
But it's for the best believe me, my friend
I believe that it's necessary for us to part ways for our own good.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: JOHN HENRY NEWMAN, TIMOTHY DANIEL WOODCOCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind