He has listed various influences, most notably Chet Baker, David Bowie, The Police, Andre 3000, Marvin Gaye, The Specials, Billie Holiday, Rosster, Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzee Rascal. When he was with The Library they were known for their energetic live performances which include steelpan and a piano. They were nominated for "Best Newcomer" at the 2007 UK Festival Awards.
Mr. Hudson has worked with acts such as Kanye West, Dizzee Rascal, N-Dubz, Kid Cudi, Tinie Tempah and Jay-Z and toured with Calvin Harris. His vocal performances have been compared to those of Sting.[3] He is accompanied by Joy Joseph (vocals and steel drum), Rob Barron (electric keyboard), Raphael Mann (bass guitar) and Andrew "Wilkie" Wilkinson (electric drums).
One of his first appearances was on JUMPOFF producer battles in 2005. Mr Hudson first came to prominence after featuring on Later with Jools Holland on 8 December 2006. The band's debut LP titled A Tale of Two Cities, was released in 2007 to strong reviews and received national airplay on Jo Whiley and Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 shows.
In 2007, Mr Hudson and his band The Library embarked on a tour through 12 British libraries as part of the 'Get It Loud' initiative, and also supported Amy Winehouse on her tour, along with Paulo Nutini, Mika and Groove Armada.[5]
During the summer of 2007 they appeared at several UK festivals, such as Glastonbury, T in the Park, The Big Chill, V Festival, Godiva Festival, and Bestival. In October 2007, the band played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff in support of The Police. They also supported Kanye West on his Europe leg of his Glow in the Dark Tour, performing in Dublin and other European cities.
On 11 November 2008, "There Will Be Tears" was given its first UK radio airplay on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show as 'The Hottest Record in the World Right Now'. Mr Hudson's new album – given a working title of Straight No Chaser[6] is set for release in mid-2009 with Kanye West acting as co-producer. As announced in December 2008, Mr Hudson will tour the UK to preview material from his forthcoming album visiting cities such as London, Cardiff, Glasgow and Newcastle.
Mr Hudson featured on Paranoid on Kanye West's fourth album, 808s & Heartbreak. He also co-produced "Street Lights" as well as supplied additional vocals on "Say You Will" and "Amazing". Kanye West has stated: "I believe Mr Hudson has the potential to be bigger than me, to be one of the most important artists of his generation" In the autumn of 2009 Mr Hudson will support Calvin Harris on his UK tour.
A Tale of Two Cities (2007–2009)
The production ... on the band's debut album uses acoustic guitar interspersed with classically informed piano, soulful, Motown-inspired backing vocals and bass guitar, steelpan, electric drums and unusual rhythm patterns to create an expansive sound. Two of the tracks from A Tale of Two Cities are covers; "On The Street Where You Live", ..................mr hudson rules.................is a cover of a number from the musical My Fair Lady[9] and "Everything Happens to Me" is a well known Great American Songbook classic as popularised by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Chet Baker. The album was greeted with warm reviews from the music press.
[edit]Straight No Chaser (2009 – present)
According to Amazon.com, on 1 December 2009, Mr Hudson is set to release a new album, Straight No Chaser (via G.O.O.D. Music and Mercury Records), executive produced by Kanye West.
"I wanted to make a mainstream record, not structured or ornate," he explains. "The first album feels like an Escher drawing, all these layers and you don't know where you're going at any point. The way the songs are written and produced on this one is much more direct. It's not trying to reinvent the wheel. It's straight, no chaser.
Anyone But Him
Mr Hudson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd rather hear you had the whole football team
Than have to watch his filthy lips on your skin
Anyone but him
Anyone but him
With schoolboy fists, we can take this outside
But knowing my luck that fuck could win
Who's gonna take you home, who's gonna take you home
Who's gonna take you home, if it isn't me
If it isn't me, if it
Anyone but him
My blood boils as my eyes turn green
Is this the best of the best of the scene
Anyone but him
Anyone but him
With schoolboy fists we can take this outside
But knowing my luck that fuck could win
Anyone but him
Who's gonna take you home, who's gonna take you home
Who's gonna take you home, if it isn't me
If it isn't me, if it
Anyone but him
Look past the leather and the dash and the rims
And you'll see his whole hustle wears thin
Anyone but him
Anyone but him
He's gonna take what you can't take back
Then's he's gone out the door on a whim
Anyone but him
Who's gonna take you home, who's gonna take you home
Who's gonna take you home, if it isn't me
If it isn't me, if it
Now when she go black, she ain't never coming back
I'm sorry Mr. H, I thought you already knew that
You'll see her on a black street like Chauncey
I'm a bad boy like Sean C.
Roc-A-Fella like S C.
Keep them Apes with me like Don C
Like Jay, keep Beyonce
I'm just talking nonsey, so nonchalantly
See my Mark like Ronsy
Pop my collars like Fonzy
Paparazzi is on me
I see your girl want me, I'm filling up her glass
Feeling on her ass, feeling so upper class
And your boy, so fresh
I might even flash cash
So at the end of the night, you ain't even gotta ask
Who's gonna take you home, who's gonna take you home
Who's gonna take you home, if it isn't me
If it isn't me, if it isn't me
If it isn't me
Who's gonna take you home, if it isn't me
Who's gonna take you home, if it isn't me
If it isn't me
Who's gonna take you home, who's gonna take you home
Who's gonna take you home, if it isn't me
If it isn't me, if it isn't me
The song "Anyone But Him" by Mr Hudson is a powerful and emotional track that deals with jealousy and the fear of losing someone to another person. The lyrics express the singer's anger and frustration at the idea of someone else, specifically another man, being intimate with the person he loves. He says that he would rather hear that she had been with the entire football team than have to see her with this one person. He also talks about his own feelings of inadequacy, saying that he might not even be able to protect her if he were to fight this person.
The chorus of the song repeatedly asks the question "who's gonna take you home?" This can be interpreted in a few different ways. On one hand, it could be a literal question of who is going to make sure she gets home safely if she is out without the singer. On the other hand, it could be a metaphorical question about who is going to be there for her emotionally and physically if the relationship were to end. The repetition of the line emphasizes the singer's deep concern for the person he loves and his desire to be the one who takes care of her.
Overall, "Anyone But Him" is a passionate and intense song that captures the pain of jealousy and the fear of losing someone. The raw emotion in the lyrics and the singer's powerful delivery make it a standout track that resonates with anyone who has ever struggled with these feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
Anyone but him
I would rather have anyone else but him
I'd rather hear you had the whole football team
I would rather hear that you were with the entire football team than with him
Than have to watch his filthy lips on your skin
I would rather not see him kissing you with his dirty lips
With schoolboy fists, we can take this outside
We can settle this matter outside with simple fists like little boys
But knowing my luck that fuck could win
However, considering my luck, that guy might succeed
Who's gonna take you home, who's gonna take you home
Who will be the one to take you home?
If it isn't me, if it
If it is not me then who else can it be?
My blood boils as my eyes turn green
I become extremely angry
Is this the best of the best of the scene
Is he really the best among the rest?
Look past the leather and the dash and the rims
Ignore the superficial things like the leather seats, the car dash or the rims
And you'll see his whole hustle wears thin
You will realize that he is not as impressive as he appears
He's gonna take what you can't take back
He will take something from you that you cannot retrieve
Then's he's gone out the door on a whim
After he has taken it, he will leave as if nothing happened
Now when she go black, she ain't never coming back
When she starts dating a black person, she will not return to me
I'm sorry Mr. H, I thought you already knew that
I apologize, Mr. H, I assumed you were aware of that fact
You'll see her on a black street like Chauncey
You will find her on a street in the black community like Chauncey
I'm a bad boy like Sean C.
I am similar to the musician Sean C., known as a bad boy
Roc-A-Fella like S C.
I am affiliated with the record label Roc-A-Fella, just like S C.
Keep them Apes with me like Don C
I always keep my friends with me, just like Don C
Like Jay, keep Beyonce
Similar to Jay-Z, I always keep my girlfriend close to me like Beyonce
I'm just talking nonsey, so nonchalantly
I am just talking nonsense, in a casual and indifferent manner
See my Mark like Ronsy
I am similar to the character Ronsy, known for bad deeds
Pop my collars like Fonzy
I act cool and confident, like Fonzy from Happy Days
Paparazzi is on me
I am constantly followed by the paparazzi
I see your girl want me, I'm filling up her glass
I notice that your girlfriend is attracted to me, so I am filling up her drink glass
Feeling on her ass, feeling so upper class
I am touching her buttocks, feeling superior and sophisticated
And your boy, so fresh
I look fresh and stylish
I might even flash cash
I might even show off my money
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BEN HUDSON MCILDOWIE, KANYE WEST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LaRavenful
The words the beat the tempo the beginning to end! It was all perfect! Hudson kept it right and Kanye finished it!! LUV IT
@Sicckmaster
I will say that the thing I like most about Kanye is that he has introduced me to different artist that are my favorite artists right now on everyone of his CD's. His first CD College Dropout kind of introduced me to Kanye at his peak. His second album Late Registration introduced me to Lupe Fiasco who is my favorite artist right now. His third album Graduation introduced me to Coldplay (Chris Martin) and Labi Siffre. And 808s introduced me to Kid Cudi & Mr. Hudson, so I am grateful for that.
@vondutchdrb
i love how kanye comes in ..the flow is dope
@bmoreallday1
Man Mr. Hudson is good. I think he will do big things in his music, him and Kayne West.
@bengoodwin6382
Mr Hudson is a LEGEND
@Shizzlerfizzler
Many people dosent like Kanye, but really he have produced some of the greatest songs in the world imo.. And he is in many hits that i like, I loves kanye West, he is good at producing and at rapping.
@PrinceOfQuince
This a clean ass song and mr Hudson and kanye is a two punch knockout!!
@thelorax1122
this is a future hit. sounds like its not mastered yet. i wanna hear what the album version sounds like.
@Kittzy442
♫Mr Hudson has an amazing voice♫ i don't know why they have to use autotune with Bens voice!! ♥ GREAT SONG!!!! ♫
@Misssliz1
difference is, that MR hudson does't need the VOCODER. He uses it as an EFFECT - he doesn't rely upon it. Until you've heard him live - reserve judgement. Him and the Library are frickin AWESOME xx