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.
Lift Your Head
Mr Hudson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Answer every problem with a smile
Keep opening doors, keep pulling those strings
But the midnight hour is mine
The midnight hour is mine
Please lift your head from your hands
Tomorrow is another day
And there's no weight too great
There's no distance too far
Keep flying the flag and keep banging the drum
Cause the midnight hour is mine
The midnight hour is mine
Please lift your head from your hands
Tomorrow is another day
Well think about it then I say
Oh, what can I do to save the day?
If only it were as easy as a D-V-D and a takeaway
Oh, what can I do, what can I do?
What can I do, what can I do?
I say, please lift your head from your hands
Oh, please lift your head from your hands
Tomorrow is another day
You can think about it then I say
Please lift your head from your hands
Tomorrow is another day
Let's think about it then I say
In Mr Hudson's song Lift Your Head, the lyrics suggest that despite facing difficult situations and challenges in life, one should never lose hope, and continue to pursue their dreams and aspirations. The song acknowledges the problems and obstacles one faces in life, but it also highlights that there are always opportunities to overcome them.
The opening lines of the song urge the listener to approach every question with a "yes" and every problem with a smile. This shows the importance of having a positive outlook on life and facing challenges with optimism. The next set of lines emphasise the importance of determination and perseverance by suggesting that one should keep opening doors and pulling strings. However, the later lines remind listeners that no matter how hard things get, the midnight hour, representing the final moments of the day or the end of a problem, belongs to them.
The chorus of the song is an encouragement to lift one's head from their hands, suggesting that tomorrow is a new beginning and that it is important to approach it with optimism, and encourages to think about it in a positive manner. It reinforces the message of the song about the importance of having a positive outlook on life and continuously striving to achieve one's goals.
Line by Line Meaning
Answer every question with a 'yes'
Be positive and open-minded, and try to find a solution to every challenge
Answer every problem with a smile
Stay optimistic and approach problems with a positive attitude
Keep opening doors, keep pulling those strings
Keep trying and pushing forward, and use your resources to make things happen
But the midnight hour is mine
I have control over my own life and decisions
Please lift your head from your hands
Stop feeling defeated or hopeless, and look at things from a different perspective
Tomorrow is another day
There's always a chance for a fresh start or a new opportunity
Well think about it then I say
Take some time to reflect and consider your options before making a decision
And there's no weight too great
There's no challenge that is too difficult to overcome
There's no distance too far
No matter how far away your goals may seem, they are still achievable
Keep flying the flag and keep banging the drum
Stay passionate and committed to your goals, and keep putting in the effort
Oh, what can I do to save the day?
Feeling helpless or uncertain about how to solve a problem
If only it were as easy as a D-V-D and a takeaway
Expressing a desire for a simple solution to a problem that may not exist
What can I do, what can I do?
Feeling stuck or unsure about your abilities to make a change
You can think about it then I say
Take some time to consider your options and come up with a plan before taking action
Let's think about it then I say
We should work together to come up with a solution rather than giving up or feeling defeated
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BEN HUDSON MCILDOWIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind