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.
Never Give It Up
John Newman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I really need it, but I can't stay the night
Cause you, oh, you never give it up
You, oh, you never give it up, alright
You say you'd wait for me, wait for me
Wait 'til I got home
Sit me on the sofa but the television on
Show me what to need
But the lover in your paper feels a different man to me
I don't feel that, babe
I don't feel that, babe
I don't feel that, babe
I wanna love you, but it just don't feel right
I really need it, but I can't stay the night
Cause you, oh, you never give it up
You, oh, you never give it up (oh because)
I wanna love you, but it just don't feel right
I really need it, but I can't stay the night
Cause you, oh, you never give it up (oh because)
You, oh, you never give it up, alright
You keep on calling me, calling me
Calling me for hope
To be honest, every time you call, I'm busy, I can't talk
You're saying it, saying it
Saying it, alright
If I could pick up you finally give it up tonight
I don't feel that, babe
I don't feel that, babe
I don't feel that, babe
I wanna love you, but it just don't feel right
I really need it, but I can't stay the night
Cause you, oh, you never give it up
You, oh, you never give it up (oh because)
I wanna love you, but it just don't feel right
I really need it, but I can't stay the night
Cause you, oh, you never give it up (oh because)
You, oh, you never give it up, alright
I wanna love you, but it just don't feel right
(It just don't feel right)
I really need it, but I can't stay the night
(Can't stay the night)
Cause you, oh, you never give it up
You, oh, you never give it up (oh because)
I wanna love you, but it just don't feel right
(It just don't feel right)
I really need it, but I can't stay the night
Cause you, oh, you never give it up
(Never give it up)
You, oh, you never give it up, alright
The song "Never Give It Up" by John Newman talks about a failed relationship between the singer and his partner. He wants to love her, but it just does not feel right, and no matter how much he needs her, he cannot stay the night. He complains that his partner never gives up, and he cannot bring himself to be intimate with her because he does not feel the same way she does. The singer discovers that the lover his partner portrays in the media feels different from the actual person he knows.
The chorus of the song emphasizes his frustration, he wants to be close to her, but it just does not work out. The urgency in his voice shows his desperation to connect with her, but he cannot ignore his feelings towards the disconnect that he faces. He is not convinced that his partner loves him the way he loves her, and this reflects in the lyrics.
In summary, the song tells a story about a relationship where one partner is more emotionally invested than the other, and the singer finds it difficult to connect to his partner. The feeling of unrequited love is very real, and it has affected how the singer views intimacy in any relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna love you, but it just don't feel right
The singer wants to love someone, but something feels off or wrong about the relationship.
I really need it, but I can't stay the night
The singer has a physical or emotional need that is not being fully met, but they are unable or unwilling to stay with the person to fulfill it.
Cause you, oh, you never give it up
The person the singer is involved with is not meeting their needs in some way.
You say you'd wait for me, wait for me
The person is promising to wait for the artist to come home before starting anything, but the artist is skeptical.
Wait 'til I got home
The person is waiting for the artist to come home before pursuing a physical relationship.
Sit me on the sofa but the television on
The person is trying to create a comfortable or romantic setting for the singer, but it feels insincere or forced.
Then show me what, show me what
The person is trying to get the singer to feel desire or love, but the approach is not working.
Show me what to need
The person is trying to convince the artist that they need them, but the artist is not convinced.
But the lover in your paper feels a different man to me
The person the artist is involved with seems different from the perfect partner they portray on paper or in words.
You keep on calling me, calling me
The person is persistent in their pursuit of the artist, even if it is inconvenient or unwanted.
Calling me for hope
The person is using the singer as a source of hope or comfort, even if it is not reciprocated or desired.
To be honest, every time you call, I'm busy, I can't talk
The artist is avoiding contact with the person because it is not what they want or need at that moment.
If I could pick up you finally give it up tonight
The singer is considering giving in to the person's advances, but only because they are tired of the pursuit.
You, oh, you never give it up
The person is not giving the singer what they need or want, despite promises or attempts to do so.
Writer(s): GREGORY ALLEN KURSTIN, JOHN WILLIAM PETER NEWMAN
Contributed by Alexis S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.