Lizzy Parks caught the attention of TruThoughts recordings via her involvement with the Nostalgia 77 and Nostalgia 77 Octet (TruThoughts featured artists) projects. She has loved and lived music all her life with the help of an old clarinet (in the very early years), piano, tenor sax and, of course, her vocal chords. She grew up in Devon in the South West of England but opted for a taste of city life when she moved to Birmingham to study Jazz at university.
There she did most of her growing up (musically and the rest!) and had the pleasure of playing with some great musicians including Chris Bowden (a killer sax player) who asked her to sing on his 'Slightly Askew' album for Ninja Tune in 2001. This and other early successes set the scene for her musical journey. Further sessions followed for various labels and artists including tracks such as Nostalgia 77's ‘Hope Suite’ for Tru Thoughts, which was nominated for Gilles Peterson’s BBC Radio One’s Track of the Year 2005 and Will Saul's 'Space Between' (Simple).
She then worked on her debut album 'Watching Space' in 2005 for indie label The Birds and settled in North London where she lives and works, on her own music and a variety of new and exciting projects with artists including our very own Nostalgia 77. She can frequently be found live on stage with the Nostalgia 77 Octet and on occasion The Heritage Orchestra (Brownswood) and of course in her own band, as, you guessed it, Lizzy Parks.
Lizzy has performed at some wonderful venues including The Jazz Café, Cargo, The National Theatre, The Royal Festival Hall, The Spitz, Ronnie Scotts, Birminham Symphony Hall, Glastonbury Festival, The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and the Gateshead International Jazz Festival, as well as internationally in Denmark, Portugal, Bratislava, Athens, Ghent, Belgium and, Germany.
Lizzy describes her music: “To be honest, I love a lot, I listen a lot and I sing a lot and I'm always happiest sharing what I can find with anyone who'll take the time to listen”. Lizzy’s debut album for Tru Thoughts, co-produced by Nostalgia 77, is entitled ‘Raise the Roof’ and is due out on September 22 2008. The long player will be preceded by a 7” single in August, also entitled “Raise The Roof”. The single has so far received fantastic reactions from tastemakers around the world including Laurent Garnier, Pete Isaac (Jelly Jazz) and Gilles Peterson, who featured an album track on his BBC Radio 1 show in July.
Keep updated with news & 2007 tour dates by visiting www.lizzyparks.co.uk
Raise The Roof
Lizzy Parks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hidden in darkness, tucked away
This old house is sad and cold
There's a world behind the door
You never thought it would be this way
So you can change it if you wish
Don't be afraid to turn the key
There's a world behind the door
Your streets
Treeline
Fill with sunshine
Break through to new times
Reach out for wide open spaces
You're moving out into the world
Coming up from underground
Greet the people you meet with a smile
Raise the roof on wide open spaces
Before your body grows old
Before the years are blown away
Isolation feeds the foe
And keeps the spirit low
If you choose it can be this way
Or you can change it if you wish
Fight the fear you feel inside
Open the window, raise the blinds
Your streets
Treeline
Fill with sunshine
Break through to new times
Reach out for wide open spaces
You're moving out into the world
Coming up from underground
Greet the people you meet with a smile
Raise the roof on wide open spaces
You're moving out into the world
Coming up from underground
Greet the people you meet with a smile
Raise the roof on wide open spaces
In the lyrics of Lizzy Parks's song Raise The Roof, the artist encourages the listener to take control of their life, to not be afraid to make changes, and to open themselves up to new and different experiences. The song starts with a description of someone who has been living in isolation for a long time, "hidden in darkness" and "tucked away." Lizzy then goes on to encourage the person to take charge of their life and turn the key of the door that has been keeping them isolated. She reminds them that there's a whole world waiting for them beyond that door, and it's up to them to step out into it.
The second verse of the song continues in the same vein, with Lizzy telling the listener that they don't have to keep living in isolation, that they can choose to live differently if they want to. She encourages them to "fight the fear [they] feel inside" and to "open the window, raise the blinds." The chorus then speaks of the new opportunities that await the person once they step out into the world, with "streets/treelines fill[ing] with sunshine," and the chance to "reach out for wide open spaces."
Overall, the message of Raise The Roof is one of hope and encouragement, motivating the listener to take control of their life and step out into the world. The song is a reminder that we can choose how we live our lives and that it's never too late to make a change.
Line by Line Meaning
You've lived inside for so long
You've spent a lot of time indoors, away from the outside world
Hidden in darkness, tucked away
You've been hidden and isolated from the rest of the world in the darkness of your home
This old house is sad and cold
Your home has become a sad and lonely place to be
There's a world behind the door
There's a whole world of opportunities and experiences outside of your home that you haven't explored
You never thought it would be this way
You didn't expect to live such an isolated and lonely life
So you can change it if you wish
You have the power to change your situation if you choose to
Don't be afraid to turn the key
Don't be afraid to take that first step outside of your home and start exploring the world
Your streets
The streets outside your home
Treeline
The trees lining the streets
Fill with sunshine
The sun shines down on the streets and trees, making them bright and inviting
Break through to new times
Step out of the past and into a new and exciting future
Reach out for wide open spaces
Explore the vast and open world around you
You're moving out into the world
You're finally leaving your home and exploring the outside world
Coming up from underground
Breaking free from the isolation and darkness of your home
Greet the people you meet with a smile
Be friendly and open to the people you meet on your journey
Raise the roof on wide open spaces
Celebrate and explore the vast and open world around you
Before your body grows old
Before you lose your youth and vitality
Before the years are blown away
Before time passes you by and it's too late to explore the world
Isolation feeds the foe
Being isolated and alone can be harmful to your mental and emotional well-being
And keeps the spirit low
Being alone and isolated can make you feel sad and discouraged
If you choose it can be this way
If you choose to stay isolated, your life will remain sad and lonely
Fight the fear you feel inside
Overcome your fears and take a chance on exploring the outside world
Open the window, raise the blinds
Let in some light and fresh air and start exploring the world outside your home
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Elizabeth Parks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lawriecoombs6206
Over the years, I've listened to this tune on/off and love it on so many different levels.
@quiffpbacon
Only recently heard a remix of this song on Radio 6 (thanks Huey)… fantastic song!
@MarkBeezKeys
I saw Lizzy and her band in Birmingham recently. They were excellent. Great voice and really exciting compositions. I hope to catch another gig soon. MB
@montagfire
Love this tune
@pjonas
I love this track!!!
@ajam27
I want to see her sooo much. So glad I discovered you Lizzy. Ode To St. Cecile def the best track on the album. Hope to see you soon xxx
@JoeRigbyEditor
Beautiful track and great video!!!
@gavin230865
Fantastic sound great vocals
@dailand
Great vid. Simple and effective. Bravo!
@GoSuRuSh
good music, word up