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.
Picture Of You
Mr Hudson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I'm reminded that you're not around.
Friends try and fail to make me smile
But I had the answer with me all the while.
I've got a picture of you
Wherever I go
A sweet reminder from you to me
I'm never alone.
Should time should bring me fame or a touch of bling
(Imagine that, getting paid to sing).
Keep your cars, cigars and frosted drinks
Without you here they just won't mean a thing
I've got a picture of you
Wherever I go
A sweet reminder from you to me
I'm never alone.
I've got a picture of you
Wherever I go
A sweet reminder from you to me
I'm never alone
Sometimes at night I wonder watching all the faces
Knowing I won't see you
No there is no other face that could replace the one that's gone
No one could be you
No
I've got a picture of you
A sweet reminder from you to me
I'm never alone.
I've got a picture of you
Wherever I go
A sweet reminder from you to me
I'm never alone.
I've got a picture of you with me
Wherever I go
A sweet reminder from you to me
No, I'm never alone
I've got a picture of you with me
Wherever I go
A sweet reminder from you to me
I'm never alone
I've got a picture of you
A sweet reminder from you
I've got a picture of you
A sweet reminder from you
The lyrics of Mr Hudson & The Library's song "Picture Of You" express the idea that memories of a loved one can help soothe the ache of their absence. The singer reveals that it's not the gloomy days, but the sunny ones that bring him down, as they remind him that his loved one is not present to share the happiness. Despite anyone's attempt to cheer him up, he has the answer to his sadness with him all the time - a picture of his loved one - that always reminds him of the sweet times they had together. The song makes a mention of fame and material things, but the singer claims that none of that would matter if his loved one is not around. At night, when he is by himself, he looks at other people's faces and knows that nobody can replace the one that is gone. The song concludes with the repetition of the line "I've got a picture of you, a sweet reminder from you," emphasizing that memories can be consoling and helpful in dealing with loss.
Line by Line Meaning
It's always the sunny days that bring me down
The happy days make me sad because you're not here to enjoy them with me.
When I'm reminded that you're not around.
I feel sad when I think about the fact that you're not here with me.
Friends try and fail to make me smile
Even though my friends do their best to cheer me up, they can't replace the happiness that you brought me.
But I had the answer with me all the while.
I always carry a picture of you with me to remind me of the good times we shared.
I've got a picture of you
Wherever I go
A sweet reminder from you to me
I'm never alone.
I keep a photo of you with me all the time as a way to feel your presence and remember the good times we had together.
Should time should bring me fame or a touch of bling
(Imagine that, getting paid to sing).
If I ever become famous or rich, it won't matter because what I really want is you by my side.
Keep your cars, cigars and frosted drinks
Without you here they just won't mean a thing.
Material possessions won't make me happy without you here to share them with me.
Sometimes at night I wonder watching all the faces
Knowing I won't see you
No there is no other face that could replace the one that's gone
No one could be you
No.
When I see other people's faces, I can't help but think about how much I miss you and how no one else can replace you.
A sweet reminder from you to me
I'm never alone.
The picture of you I carry is like a message of love and comfort, reminding me that I'm never truly alone because you're always with me in spirit.
I've got a picture of you with me
A sweet reminder from you to me
No, I'm never alone
The photo of you I keep with me is like having a piece of you with me at all times, and it brings me comfort to know that you're always there.
I've got a picture of you
A sweet reminder from you
The picture I have of you is like a sweet message from you, reminding me of the love and happiness we shared together.
Contributed by Elijah Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ndiye Ngubula
Hope you realize that your music is timeless Hudson.
Phillip Macintosh
I love this mans music and the spirit he brings!
Ceon Broughton
SICK SONG HUDSON. KEEP IT UP BRUV
xaydaman93
lovin it
Jaclyn Babcock
i have been searching for a new flavor in music...and i believe you have succeeded perfectly. nice job. nice wardrobe as well. lovely job.
Pitts
I miss you mr hudson :(
RobynSaintVeronika
I've met Mr Hudson... 3 times... he put his arm around me... I got his autograph... he was that attractive I found myself blushing lmaooo!
Soph
So, just beautiful.
Soph
Still agree!
TaliVision
Over 10 years and only 8 dislikes 😊