After first appearing in 2013 on Rejjie Snow’s ‘Rejovich’ EP on track ‘1992’, Loyle’s name started to make the rounds, not least to mention the track being picked up by Majestic Casual and has racked up over 700k views to date. Following the release of the ‘A Little Late’ EP, Loyle has gone on to work with the likes of Kate Tempest, Maverick Sabre, Tom Misch and multiple others, all in preparation for releases in 2015.
With two successful UK tours now under his belt with Joey Bada$$ and Atmosphere, Loyle is set to make some serious moves on the UK circuit and abroad, with strong support coming from all over Europe, the US and Australia. Support in the UK has come from all areas, being championed on Radio 1Xtra by DJ Semtex and Phil Taggart, Huw Stephens and Lauren Laverne at Radio 1. His latest single with Kate Tempest was added to 6Music’s B-list and then bumped up to the A-List immediately after a week and has not stopped being played.
Carner released his third studio album, 'hugo', in October, 2022.
In 'hugo', there’s a central question that Loyle Carner keeps coming back to: “I’m young, Black, successful and have a platform - but where do I go next?” The answer is explored in this epic scream of a third album. With urgent delivery and gloriously widescreen production, Carner confronts both the deeply personal (“You can’t hate the roots of a tree, and not hate the tree. So how can I hate my father without hating me?) and the highly political (“I told the black man he didn’t understand I reached the white man he wouldn’t take my hand”).
Ottolenghi
Loyle Carner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Staring out the window at the rain (aye)
I heard this little lady must've felt the pain
Ask her mum if the blazing sun'll ever shine again
I felt ashamed, feel the same not her mother, though
Nah, started to laugh got her son involved (aye)
Mention the past like a running joke
And told her without all the rain there's no stuntin' growth
Where the wooden spoon is only cuffing
Shorter the discussion but the roots can't manoeuvre out of nothing
I've been suffering these dreamy days (ah)
Remedy and lust don't hold any memories of us
Rather hold you everyday until the memories are dust
Yo, we only caught the train cause you know I hate the bus
Never get enough
Born and raised
Made attempts to crawl away
Find a way to exist and hide your face, some relate
Leave everything in yesterday
They ask about the bible I was reading
Told them that the title was misleading, labelled it jerusalem
But really it's for cooking middle eastern
I could see your mind was changing with the seasons, shady for a reason (ah)
They will start decreasing, leaving like the orange in the evening
It was creeping through the clouds but now I'm proud to see the images releasing
I just wish the little lady could've seen it but she was dreaming (ah)
Reckon she's standing with her mum, saying to her
"Look, mother, here's the sun", rooted in the moment 'til the memories are done
So I sit and start to wonder on the woman she'll become
Wonder if I'll have a son or a daughter
Ones that I brought up never strong, never telling me to run
Never tried to find a sum, tryna get it done
Yo, I wonder if she'll ever be as clever as her mum, one
Born and raised
Made attempts to crawl away
Find a way to exist and hide your face, some relate
Leave everything in yesterday
Born and raised
Made attempts to crawl away
Find a way to exist and hide your face, some relate
Leave everything in yesterday
"Man, we can turn back in a second
So remember what I'm tryna show you
This life can be good one minute
And next minute it can turn bad
So don't look down on nobody
'Cause that's how life can turn for everybody
So remember it's love, everybody
And I'm gonna look for life, for my time
Thank you"
“Ottolenghi” is a song by Loyle Carner & Jordan Rakei that explores several themes, including growing up, existentialism, the inevitability of change, and the importance of relationships. In the first verse, Loyle Carner is on the train, staring out the window at the rain. He talks to a little girl and her mom about how without the rain, there is no growth or change. He feels ashamed for not understanding this sooner. The song then shifts to the chorus, which is about being born and raised and finding a way to exist and hide your face. In the second verse, Loyle Carner shares his thoughts on the woman the little girl will become and how he wonders if he will have a son or daughter. Loyle Carner then talks about how life can be good one minute and bad the next and how it’s important to show love to others.
The lyrics of “Ottolenghi” are reflective and contemplative, as Loyle Carner tries to make sense of his feelings about growing up and the inevitability of change. The song shows the importance of recognizing the role that relationships play in our lives and how they can help us navigate the ups and downs of life. The song also highlights the importance of accepting change and finding ways to grow and adapt.
Line by Line Meaning
I was sat up on the train
I was sitting on the train
Staring out the window at the rain (aye)
Looking out of the window at the rain
I heard this little lady must've felt the pain
I heard a little girl was upset
Ask her mum if the blazing sun'll ever shine again
She asked her mom if it would ever stop raining
I felt ashamed, feel the same not her mother, though
I felt bad for her, even though it wasn't her mother's fault
Nah, started to laugh got her son involved (aye)
No, I laughed and got her son to join in
Mention the past like a running joke
We talked about the past like it was a funny story
And told her without all the rain there's no stuntin' growth
I explained that the rain was necessary for plants to grow
Close, ah, to everything and nothing, picture past the honeymoon and bluffing
We are close to both everything and nothing, see beyond the early stages of love and lying to yourself
Where the wooden spoon is only cuffing
Where the wooden spoon is used only for stirring
Shorter the discussion but the roots can't manoeuvre out of nothing
We talked briefly but the roots of the problem can't be ignored
I've been suffering these dreamy days (ah)
I have been struggling through these hazy days
Remedy and lust don't hold any memories of us
Quick fixes and desires don't hold any lasting memories of us
Rather hold you everyday until the memories are dust
I would rather hold onto you every day until the memories fade away
Yo, we only caught the train cause you know I hate the bus
We only took the train because I don't like the bus
Never get enough
I can never get enough of being with you
Born and raised
Growing up
Made attempts to crawl away
Tried to escape
Find a way to exist and hide your face, some relate
Find a way to live and avoid the problems, others can relate
Leave everything in yesterday
Forget about the past
They ask about the bible I was reading
They asked me about the Bible I was reading
Told them that the title was misleading, labelled it jerusalem
I told them the title of the book was misleading, I labeled it as about Jerusalem
But really it's for cooking middle eastern
But it's really a cookbook for Middle Eastern food
I could see your mind was changing with the seasons, shady for a reason (ah)
I could tell your opinion was changing often and for a hidden reason
They will start decreasing, leaving like the orange in the evening
They will fade away, leaving like the orange sun in the evening
It was creeping through the clouds but now I'm proud to see the images releasing
It was slowly revealing through the clouds but now I'm happy to see the sun coming out
I just wish the little lady could've seen it but she was dreaming (ah)
I wish the little girl could have seen it, but she was asleep
Reckon she's standing with her mum, saying to her
I think she's standing with her mom, telling her
"Look, mother, here's the sun", rooted in the moment 'til the memories are done
"Look, Mom, here comes the sun", stuck in the moment until it becomes a memory
So I sit and start to wonder on the woman she'll become
So I sit and wonder what kind of woman she'll grow up to be
Wonder if I'll have a son or a daughter
I wonder whether I'll have a son or a daughter
Ones that I brought up never strong, never telling me to run
Children I raised who are not afraid or weak, and never tell me to run
Never tried to find a sum, tryna get it done
Not trying to tally up their achievements, just trying to get things done
Yo, I wonder if she'll ever be as clever as her mum, one
I wonder if my child will ever be as smart as her mom
"Man, we can turn back in a second
Hey, we can turn back at any moment
So remember what I'm tryna show you
So remember what I'm trying to teach you
This life can be good one minute
Life can be good one moment
And next minute it can turn bad
And bad the next
So don't look down on nobody
So don't judge anybody
'Cause that's how life can turn for everybody
Because that's how life can go for anyone
So remember it's love, everybody
So remember, it's all about love for everyone
And I'm gonna look for life, for my time
And I'm going to live my life to the fullest
Thank you"
Thank you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Benjamin Coyle-Larner, Jordan Rakei
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MrMaddzkillz
I’m a soon to be 40 year old guy. Last night at a pizza party I met up with some childhood friends, one whom I hadn’t seen in years. Back in elementary school we all used to love rap, and we used to listen to rap every time we hung out.
In honor of the good old days the host put on a mix featuring legends. You know, Wu, Nas, Outkast, Snoop, Mos Def, Skee-Lo, Lauryn, Mobb Deep, Common, Dre..
He hasn’t been listening to much new rap at all, but then suddenly he said “you guys ever heard of Loyle Carner?” I admitted that was a name I’d never heard before, and I was hesitant to let him change to some newer stuff, but he was the host so whatcha gonna do?
I am so glad that he did. This music reminds me of the soulful grooves from the first time I heard ATCQ, and as a primarily beat driven guy, I found myself not only diggin the beat, but also listening to the lyrics. Absolutely beautiful. Been a long time since I’ve discovered something new that I really like, but you sir, you sir is a hidden treasure that more people need to experience.
Peace and love from Norway
@cameronjhollis5753
I was sat up on the train, staring out the window at the rain
I heard this little lady must've felt the pain, asked her mum if the blazing sun will ever shine again.
I felt ashamed, felt the same, Not her mother though..
Nah, starting to laugh got her son involved, she mentioned the past like a running joke,
she told her without the rain theres no stunning growth.
Close, to everything or nothing, picture past the honey boo and the bluffing, where the wooden spoon is only cuffing.
Shorten the discussion but the roots can't manoeuvre out of nothing.
I've been suffering these dreamy days, remedy and lust don't
hold any memories of us. I'd rather hold you every day until the memories are dust,
Yo, we only caught the train because you know I hate the bus,
Never get enough.
Born and raised,
Made attempts to crawl away, find a way
To exist and hide your face
Some relate, leave everything in yesterday.
They asked about the bible I was reading,
I told them that the title was misleading
Labelled it Jerusalem but really it was just for cooking Middle-Eastern.
I could see my mind was changing with the seasons, shaded for a reason.
They will start decreasing, leaving like the orange in the evening
It was creeping through the clouds but now I'm proud to see the images releasing, I just wish the little lady could've seen it.. But she was dreaming.
Ah, I reckon she's standing with her mum, saying to her look; 'Mother here's the sun, rooted in the moments or the memories that are done'
So i sit and start to wonder on the woman she'll become.
I wonder if I'll have a son or a daughter, ones that I brought up, never strong never telling me to run.
Never tryna' find a sum, tryna' get it done.
Yo, I wonder if she'll ever be as clever as her mum.
Born and raised,
Made attempts to crawl away, find a way.
To exist and hide your face
Some relate, leave everything in yesterday.
Born and raised,
Made attempts to crawl away, find a way.
To exist and hide your face
Some relate, leave everything in yesterday.
<3
@nischalshrestha3162
"Man, we can turn back in a second
So remember what I'm tryna show you
This life can be good one minute
And next minute it can turn bad
So don't look down on nobody
'Cause that's how life can turn for everybody
So remember it's love, everybody
And I'm gonna look for life, for my time
Thank you"
@pleasure.93
[Verse 1]
I was sat up on the train
Staring out the window at the rain (aye)
I heard this little lady must've felt the pain ask her mum if the blazing sun’ll ever shine again
I felt ashamed feel the same not her mother though
Nah, started to laugh got her son involved (aye)
Mention the past like a running joke
And told her 'without all the rain there's no stunning growth’
Close, ah
To everything and nothing
Picture past the honeymoon and bluffing
Where the wooden spoon is only cuffing
Shorter the discussion but the roots can't manoeuvre out of nothing
I've been suffering these dreamy days (ah)
Remedy and lust don't hold any memories of us
Rather hold you everyday until the memories are dust
Yo we only caught the train cause you know I hate the bus
Never get enough
[Chorus: Jordan Rakei]
Born and raised
Made attempts to crawl away
Find a way to exist and hide your face some relate
Leave everything in yesterday
[Verse 2]
(Aye) They ask about the bible I was reading
Told them that the title was misleading labelled it Jerusalem but really its for cooking Middle-Eastern
I could see your mind was changing with the seasons shady for a reason (ah)
They will start decreasing, leaving like the orange in the evening
It was creeping through the clouds but now I'm proud to see the images releasing
I just wish the little lady could've seen it but she was dreaming (ah)
Reckon she's standing with her mum saying to her 'look, mother here’s the sun’ rooted in the moment til the memories are done
So I sit and start to wonder on the woman she'll become
Wonder if I’ll have a son or a daughter, ones that I brought up never strong never telling me to run
Never tried to find a sum, tryna get it done yo I wonder if she'll ever be as clever as her mum, one
[Chorus: Jordan Rakei]
Born and raised
Made attempts to crawl away
Find a way to exist and hide your face some relate
Leave everything in yesterday
Born and raised
Made attempts to crawl away
Find a way to exist and hide your face some relate
Leave everything in yesterday
[Outro:]
Life can be bad, it can turn bad in a second
So remember what I'm tryna show you this life can be good one minute and next minute it can turn bad
So don't look down on nobody coz that’s how life can turn for everybody
So remember its love everybody and I'm gonna look for that for my babe
Thank you
@mrticketmaster
Couple days back my wife was seriously unwell in hospital. I walked out and jumped into my car to get a few hours kip and clear my head. Turned the radio on to hear this track for the first time ..........I just had this feeling she was going to pull through. She did and this track just makes me feel good like it was a turning point for her - beautiful track
@belllaswab
mrticketmaster sending love to you and your wife💗
@mrticketmaster
Isabella Swarbrick thank you 😊
@DHCWorldWide
Love x
@wesb6125
Thanks for sharing man. Been going through a similar scenario and I feel the same about this song. Thanks @mrticketmaster and thanks Loyle 👍🏼
@VivianeBossina
So very glad she pulled through!
@GaragebornGrey
Utterly beautiful. This is the moment I realise Loyle Carner is not just a good rapper but an artist with sincerity and creativity
@GaragebornGrey
you mean you disagree?
@andycosta7625
as if he made this video on his own...
@GaragebornGrey
I wasn't suggesting he made it on his own, it says in the description, directed by Oscar Hudson. I expect he had input although even if none of the video was his idea, that wasn't exactly what I meant. It's just the sincerity and beauty you see of the music and how well it comes together with the video. You get people who rap incredibly well, but often people who conveying something sincere