As a musician Henson usually sings and plays guitar. Henson suffers from serious stage fright and, as a result, he rarely plays concerts. His art show "Hithermost" took place at the Pertwee, Anderson & Gold gallery in London in January 2013 and "sold quickly". He has also released a wordless graphic novel called "Gloaming", published by Pocko, which is "essentially a field guide to a spirit world beyond our reality".
Keaton Henson was born in 1988 in London, England. He is the son of actor Nicky Henson and ballet dancer Marguerite Porter.
Originally Henson was an illustrator. He designed the artwork for various albums including Dananananaykroyd's Hey Everyone! and Enter Shikari's Take to the Skies. Henson recorded songs in his apartment in London, initially purely for his own consumption. He gave a recording of one of the songs as a gift for his best friend, and was encouraged to put music online. In November 2010 his debut album Dear was released on Motive Sounds Recordings, in a limited edition which he made by hand himself. In 2011 he released a single, "Metaphors", on Porchlight Records. He also recorded "Don't Be Afraid" for the Tormented soundtrack.
Henson's breakthrough came when Zane Lowe played "You Don't Know How Lucky You Are" on BBC Radio 1 for the first time on Wednesday 7 September 2011, saying: "That piece of music right there is one of the most special pieces of music I've heard in a very very long time". The play received a rapturous reaction from listeners.
Henson formed his own Oak Ten Records and officially re-released his debut album Dear in 2012. It went on to sell over 7,000 copies and gained a cult following. The album was well critically acclaimed: the BBC said "Keaton Henson isn't a show-off, but with talent like this, he has every right to be", and on Metacritic the album received a score of 70 out of 100. The album, which never charted, spawned three singles – "Charon", "Small Hands" and "You Don't Know How Lucky You Are" – all of which were accompanied by music videos. The video for "Charon" was shortlisted for a UK MVA award in Best Budget Indie/Rock Category. "Small Hands" won Best Music Video at Rushes Soho Shorts 2012.
Henson released The Lucky EP in July 2012.
Henson's music ("Charon", "Corpse Roads", "To Your Health", "10AM Gare du Nord", "You") has been featured in the BBC Three zombie drama In the Flesh.
In November 2012, Henson designed a t-shirt for the Yellow Bird Project to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
"Keaton Henson spends his time alone, writing songs and sometimes drawing, he doesn't like to talk about himself."
Visit www.keatonhenson.com
The Best Today
Keaton Henson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I sit and stare at you
You seem to look through me
I wonder what you see
I still have two stations yet
Counting the one that we just left
I wish I could stay with you
I figure you love to read
Don't look for the faults like me
You probably love the sun
But think you're the only one
And I wish I could wake at dawn
To see you without make up on
Wish I had the guts to say
You look the best today
You look the best today
You look the best today
I feel I know your smile
Like I saw it when I was a child
Though today you just frown and read
Your eyes flicker perfectly
Rush hour crush surrounds
Reminds me that we're still in town
I think of the time when I
Sat and watched a stranger cry
I wish I could wake at dawn
To see you without make up on
Wish I had the guts to say
You look the best today
You look the best today
You look the best today
You look the best today
You look the best today
As I get off the train
Look back to see you through the frame
A man sits and blocks my view
Then I forget you
The lyrics of Keaton Henson's "The Best Today" describe the singer's crush on a fellow commuter who he sees on the train. He is watching and admiring her from afar, trying to imagine what her life is like and what her interests might be. He wants to get to know her, but he is too afraid to approach her. The lyrics also suggest a feeling of melancholy and nostalgia, as the singer remembers a time when he felt more connected to strangers on the train, the time when he “Sat and watched a stranger cry”.
The singer’s perception of the woman is idealized as he imagines that the woman loves to read and likes the sun, but thinks she is the only one. He is certain that she doesn’t see him, though he is staring at her. The lyrics underscore a wistful longing as he wishes he had the courage to tell her that she "looks the best today." Ultimately, however, he must get off the train and leave her behind.
Overall, the lyrics communicate a sense of missed opportunities and lost connections, as well as a desire for human connection in the midst of an impersonal urban environment.
Line by Line Meaning
Stuck in a metal tube
The songwriter is on a train and feels trapped.
I sit and stare at you
The songwriter looks at another passenger on the train.
You seem to look through me
The other passenger does not seem to see or acknowledge the songwriter.
I wonder what you see
The songwriter is curious about what the other passenger is thinking and feeling.
I still have two stations yet
The journey is not over yet.
Counting the one that we just left
The songwriter is keeping track of where they are on the train's route.
I wish I could stay with you
The songwriter wishes they could spend more time with the other passenger.
And ask you what you do
The songwriter wants to know more about the other passenger's life.
I figure you love to read
The songwriter thinks the other passenger enjoys reading.
Don't look for the faults like me
The songwriter wishes they could be less critical like the other passenger.
You probably love the sun
The songwriter assumes the other passenger likes sunny weather.
But think you're the only one
The songwriter believes the other passenger may be self-centered.
And I wish I could wake at dawn
The songwriter wishes they could see the other passenger first thing in the morning.
To see you without make up on
The songwriter wants to see the other passenger in a natural state.
Wish I had the guts to say
The songwriter wishes they were brave enough to speak up.
You look the best today
The songwriter thinks the other passenger looks great.
You look the best today
The songwriter repeats their admiration for the other passenger's appearance.
You look the best today
The songwriter repeats their admiration again.
I feel I know your smile
The songwriter feels like they recognize the other passenger's smile from the past.
Like I saw it when I was a child
The songwriter thinks they may have seen the other passenger's smile when they were younger.
Though today you just frown and read
The other passenger is not smiling right now, but instead is focused on reading.
Your eyes flicker perfectly
The songwriter notices that the other passenger's eyes are very expressive and seem to convey emotion well.
Rush hour crush surrounds
The train is crowded with people during rush hour.
Reminds me that we're still in town
The crowded train reminds the songwriter that they are still in the city.
I think of the time when I
The songwriter recalls a previous memory.
Sat and watched a stranger cry
The songwriter remembers an emotional moment they witnessed.
As I get off the train
The songwriter is exiting the train.
Look back to see you through the frame
The songwriter looks back at the other passenger through the window as they are leaving the train.
A man sits and blocks my view
Another person sitting nearby obstructs the songwriter's view of the other passenger.
Then I forget you
The songwriter's attention is diverted and they stop thinking about the other passenger.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Keaton Leslie Henson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
enchatedfire
Stuck in a metal tube
I sit and stare at you
You seem to look through me
I wonder what you see
I still have two stations yet,
Counting the one that we just left
I wish I could stay with you
And ask you what you do
I figure you love to read
Don't look for the faults like me
You probably love the sun
But think you're the only one
And I wish I could wake at dawn
To see you without make-up on
Wish I had the guts to say,
You look the best today
You look the best today
You look the best today
I feel I know your smile,
Like I saw it when I was a child,
Though today you just frown and read,
Your eyes flicker perfectly
Rush-hour crush surrounds
Reminds me that we're still in town
I think of the time when I
Sat and watched a stranger cry
I wish I could wake at dawn
To see you without make up on
Wish I had the guts to say,
You look the best today
You look the best today
You look the best today
You look the best today
You look the best today
As I get off the train,
Look back to see you through the frame
A man sits and blocks my view,
Then I forget you
Just in case anyone needs them (:
enchatedfire
Stuck in a metal tube
I sit and stare at you
You seem to look through me
I wonder what you see
I still have two stations yet,
Counting the one that we just left
I wish I could stay with you
And ask you what you do
I figure you love to read
Don't look for the faults like me
You probably love the sun
But think you're the only one
And I wish I could wake at dawn
To see you without make-up on
Wish I had the guts to say,
You look the best today
You look the best today
You look the best today
I feel I know your smile,
Like I saw it when I was a child,
Though today you just frown and read,
Your eyes flicker perfectly
Rush-hour crush surrounds
Reminds me that we're still in town
I think of the time when I
Sat and watched a stranger cry
I wish I could wake at dawn
To see you without make up on
Wish I had the guts to say,
You look the best today
You look the best today
You look the best today
You look the best today
You look the best today
As I get off the train,
Look back to see you through the frame
A man sits and blocks my view,
Then I forget you
Just in case anyone needs them (:
LauraaBalaura
Gfg
Random liy
enchatedfire thank you
Jamie Burns
His music makes my heart drop in a way that I never want it to land!
Berenika Clorox
I wish I could wake at dawn to see you without makeup on. God, I love this line. ♡
maggit
Berenike Bukowsky "i think of the time i sat and watched a stranger cry." idk why that line just fucks me up.
Alice Fish
+Alberta Bukowska I love
''I feel I know your smile,
Like I saw it when I was a child''
not sure why but <3
Lissi Kete
this is really the most beautiful tune :)
Basia Pałczyńska
one of the best of his songs
Allison Tepedino
I simply love Keaton Henson.