The band was formed in late 2009 and was earlier known as "The Groves" but they later changed their name to "Lawson" when Dr. David Lawson performed a life-saving brain surgery on the lead singer Andy Brown. Lawson began recording material in early 2010. Acoustic versions of their early original material as well as covers of artists such as Bruno Mars and Adele built up an online fanbase. They soon began playing gigs around the United Kingdom, including the Wireless Festival and the Ultrasound Festival.
On 8 September 2011, it was announced that the band had been signed to Polydor Records, with a lucrative two-album deal on the cards. After signing to a major label, Lawson were tasked with opening for acts such as The Wanted, Will Young, Avril Lavigne, and Jessie J. The band toured extensively at the beginning of 2012, fitting in a headline tour of the UK in January and another in May as well as a one-off intimate show at Monto Water Rats in London which was streamed worldwide in April. During this time the band worked on material for their debut album with writers and producers such as Carl Falk and John Shanks.
The band's first official single "When She Was Mine", was released in May 2012 and reached number four on the UK Singles Chart. Following the single release, the band undertook their second headline tour, selling out venues in London, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, Sheffield and Birmingham. The band's second single, "Taking Over Me", was released on in August 2012, peaking at number three in the UK. In the summer of 2012, Lawson performed at T in the Park, V Festival and alongside Bruce Springsteen at Hard Rock Calling. They also announced a Hometown Tour, playing dates from October through November in their respective home towns and London, where they reside now. In October 2012, the band released their third official single, "Standing in the Dark", which reached number six in the UK. The band later revealed that their debut album, Chapman Square, would be released on 22 October. Guitarist Joel Peat said of the album: "We're all so excited to release our debut album, we've been building up to it for the past four years, and the album's title for us is special, because it is the first place that we played together as a band. Going out on tour to support the album is amazing too. Doing shows in our home towns feels like the perfect way to celebrate. Performing live is what we love the most, so to be able to play our biggest venues to date in the cities where we grew up is very special." Lawson cited many inspirations for their debut album, including John Mayer and Taylor Swift. On 22 October 2012, Lawson released Chapman Square, peaking at number four in the UK Albums Chart. The album was later certified gold. The band finished the year performing at the Oxford Street Christmas Lights switch on with Robbie Williams and at the Capital FM Jingle Bell Ball where their performance was watched by Taylor Swift.
At the beginning of 2013, Lawson played their first headline shows in the US and Canada selling out New York's Bowery Ballroom, The Troubadour in LA and The Mod Club in Canada. In February, they embarked on the Chapman Square tour, playing 18 sold out shows in the UK and Ireland. While working on new tracks for the repack of Chapman Square they visited South East Asia and Australia as well as announcing numerous festival dates including T in the Park, V Festival and Hard Rock Calling for the second year running and Isle of Wight Festival for the first time.
"Brokenhearted", featuring American rapper B.o.B, was released as the lead single from the repackaged version of Chapman Square in July 2013, reaching number six in the UK. B.o.B flew over to the UK to perform Brokenhearted with the band at Wembley Stadium for the Capital FM Summertime Ball. The band announced their second single, "Juliet", while on tour in the US for the second time in 2013. The track was released on 13 October 2013. British model and actress Kelly Brook stars as the titular character in the video. The band were included in the line-up of the iTunes Festival 2013, opening for Jessie J. Lawson began their biggest headline tour to date, the "Everywhere We Go Tour", in September 2013. The repackaged version of their debut album titled Chapman Square / Chapter II was released on 21 October 2013. The reissue featured all twelve of the songs from standard edition of the Chapman Square (though not the full sixteen of the deluxe edition), plus six new songs. The deluxe edition of Chapter II includes a second disc including acoustic songs and a short tour film.
In 2014, according to the updates at Facebook by Ryan Fletcher, he wrote " Lawson have been in Iceland to do a photo shoot for their new album, and maybe to film a video... More news soon!" Currently in December 2014, they are at Nashville, TN, USA doing some records. It is expected that the album to release at early of 2015 and to do a tour soon. The name for the album is still unknown. On 2 February 2015 Lawson announced via Twitter that there first gig (after releasing the new album) would be at live at Leeds on 2 May 2015.
Red Sky
Lawson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Find the still in the middle of crazy
Is this all that you wanted?
Just a leaf floating round in the shadows
Holding on tryna find out how to let go
When you think you got all that you wanted
Slowly we are waking up
There’s a red sky
Overhead tonight
That’s how I know
It’s gonna be alright
It’s gonna be alright
There’s a pier reaching out from the seaside
Breathe it in, breathe it out, open your eyes
Is this all that you wanted?
Feel the waves breaking
No more time wasting
Slowly we are waking up
There’s a red sky
Overhead tonight
That’s how I know
It’s gonna be alright
It’s gonna be alright
Beautiful wonder
Where did you come from?
Writing your name on the horizon
Filling the sky up
Burning like fire
Yeah
There’s a red sky
Overhead tonight
That’s how I know
It’s gonna be alright
It’s gonna be alright
It’s gonna be alright
It’s gonna be alright
Lawson's song "Red Sky" is about finding peace and stillness amidst the chaos of life. The song opens with the singer asking their partner to lay with them in the middle of the city, seeking a brief moment of calm in the midst of the hustle and bustle. In the second verse, the singer references a pier reaching out from the seaside - a classic symbol of hope and possibility - and encourages their partner to take a deep breath and open their eyes to the world around them. Throughout the song, the singer is looking for reassurance that everything will be okay, and finds it in the metaphorical "red sky" overhead.
The repeated refrain of "It's gonna be alright" is a simple yet powerful message of hope, and the song as a whole suggests that even in the midst of uncertainty and unrest, there are moments of beauty and peace to be found. The final stanza features a striking image of someone "writing their name on the horizon" and filling the sky with fire, further emphasizing the idea of taking control of one's own destiny and finding hope in unexpected places.
Overall, "Red Sky" is an uplifting and anthemic song about finding hope and resilience in difficult times, and embracing the moments of beauty that can arise even in the darkest of moments.
Line by Line Meaning
Lay with me on a street in the city
Let's find solace in each other's company even in the midst of chaos.
Find the still in the middle of crazy
Amidst all the hustling and bustling, there's a calm spot to be discovered.
Is this all that you wanted?
Are we content with just this, or do we aspire for more?
Just a leaf floating round in the shadows
We're going with the flow feeling insignificant against the bigger scheme of things.
Holding on tryna find out how to let go
We're trying to hold on to what we know while trying to move on from it at the same time.
When you think you got all that you wanted
Despite having everything we think we want, there's still a sense of emptiness within us.
Feel the ground shaking
Things might be changing, and we're beginning to feel the tremors of it.
Slowly we are waking up
We're finally coming to terms with reality and ready to face what's ahead.
There’s a red sky
The sky has taken on a different shade, which signifies a significant change is happening.
Overhead tonight
It's happening right now, and we're in the midst of it.
That’s how I know
The change is real, and we need to embrace it.
It’s gonna be alright
It won't necessarily be easy, but we'll come out on the other side alright.
There’s a pier reaching out from the seaside
There's a pathway that leads to enlightenment and self-discovery.
Breathe it in, breathe it out, open your eyes
Take a moment to appreciate the beauty around you and don't take life for granted.
Feel the waves breaking
Life might be intense, and we're beginning to feel the pressure of it.
No more time wasting
We can't afford to waste time anymore, and we need to take action now.
Beautiful wonder
Life is full of beauty and amazement, particularly during times of change.
Where did you come from?
What's happening feels surreal, and we can't help but wonder how we got here.
Writing your name on the horizon
The change is a significant milestone, and it will be remembered for a long time to come.
Filling the sky up
The change is all-encompassing, and it will affect everything around us.
Burning like fire
The change is powerful and intense, much like a raging fire.
Yeah
An expression of affirmation and acceptance of what's happening.
It’s gonna be alright
No matter how intense or difficult things get, we'll make it through the other side alright.
It’s gonna be alright
Reiterating the sense of optimism and hope for the future.
It’s gonna be alright
Affirming the belief that no matter what, everything will eventually be okay.
It’s gonna be alright
Repeating the message of hope and assurance that everything will work out in the end.
Lyrics © Global Talent Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ANDY BROWN, DUCK BLACKWELL, PADDY DALTON, ANNA REBECCA KRANTZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@foreveryounggx1
Lawson are absolutely incredible live, saw them on tour with the wanted and then at their headline tour in Sheffield last night, wow one of the best gigs i've ever been to. Definitely go see them in a small venue before they get massive!
@FishDevil789
This better be on their new album it's my favourite song of theirs next to 'You Didn't Tell Me', love you Lawson 3
@fayee1234567
I saw these on The Wanted's The Code Tour, they were amazing! Fell in love with this song! <3<3
@alyssadevina4501
beautiful. just beautiful. tbh missed Lawson's old musics. But still. I love the new musics theyve worked on.
@saharasante1116
Beautiful song and words
@torimai1950
Always love this banger!❤😊🎉 2023!
@gemmabrady8086
i love this song i seen them at westlife the other day they were amazayn
@zacefrongirl188
Do you guys want me to do more lyric videos relating to Lawson?
@jaydehh09
Went to their first tour in January and was at the front and met them before and after :) saw them in Birmingham at The Wanted Arena Tour in March as well! :) <3
@zacefrongirl188
I'm happy to hear that! Im glad they're getting more fans. They are nice lads though aren't they? :) xx