Sam Newton Battenberg Faulkner (born January 11, 1985) is an English singer… Read Full Bio ↴Sam Newton Battenberg Faulkner (born January 11, 1985) is an English singer-songwriter and musician from Reigate, Surrey, UK. Known for his rhythmic guitar playing, Faulkner came to prominence in 2007, with the release of his debut studio album, Hand Built by Robots. The album was certified double platinum in the United Kingdom, and yielded the singles, Dream Catch Me, I Need Something and Teardrop. Following an accident, which resulted in his right wrist shattering, Faulkner released his second studio album, Rebuilt by Humans in 2009 (so called because he broke his hand whilst taking family and friends skiing, though he himself was not skiing he fell and broke his hand. His father flew some of the best surgeons in the world to come and repair it so was literally "Rebuilt by Humans")

Faulkner began playing guitar at the age of 11-12 with session guitarist Bob "crazy guy" Cranham and also attended the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford, where he spent 2 years gaining both diploma and the higher diploma award under the tutelage of Eric Roche.

His first band was a Green Day cover band, in which he played bass guitar. His experience on the stage grew as he formed Half a Guy, a funk rock group with a quirky edge, with fellow band mates Matt Buchanan, Dave Elvy and Nicola Crawshaw. Half a Guy recorded two demo CDs and managed 2 years before splitting. He then spent time recording and gigging under the name Newton Battenberg Faulkner, where he played the Lapagestock festival on the 11th June 2005.

Recent appearances on BBC Radio 2 as well as a publishing deal with Peermusic UK compelled the Independent on Sunday to tell its readers to "Watch this face". Faulkner performed at the 2006 South by Southwest music festival and at Guilfest 2007.

In 2006 he had a support slot for Steve Forbert at The Spitz in London, England.

Newton has recently been signed by [labelSony BMG records and on the 30th of July 2007 he released his debut album Hand Built By Robots. He supported James Morrison on his February UK tour as well as Paolo Nutini on his UK tour in April, and also John Mayer on his September dates in the United Kingdom. He also supported The John Butler Trio on a number of European dates.

In June 2007 Newton's second single Dream Catch Me was selected Jo Whiley's 'Pet Sound' on her daily Radio 1 show. This gave the track much exposure and was highly commented on by listeners to Jo's show.

Newton appeared twice at the Glastonbury Festival in June 2007 - once on the Friday on the Acoustic Stage and once on the Sunday on the Leftfield Stage. He appeared at V Festival 2007 in August where he played in the Virgin Mobile Sessions Tent - a venue much too small as people overflowed outside. He also appeared at the Connect Music Festival at the end of August 2007 on the Guitars and Other Machines stage

On July 29, Dream Catch Me entered the UK Singles Chart at number 16. The following week it had risen to number 7 with Hand Built By Robots entering the album charts at number 3. The song rose to #8 on 12 August, the album to number 1 on 26 August.

Eric Roche is undoubtedly one of Newton's biggest influences, both from a stylistic point of view (vis a vis the percussive use of the guitar's body) and through the use of tapping, uncommon tunings and inventive chord changes, such as in I Need Something and Ageing Superhero, from his debut album. This method of playing also shows heavily in the work of Jon Gomm and Pete Wailes, although with a slightly different feel in both.

If This Is It
Newton Faulkner Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

No one move, no one speak
Please don't say that its just me
Its not just me, and even though
I wont forget, just don't want this to end
Just yet, not just yet

But if I had one chance to freeze time
And stand still and soak in everything

I'd choose right now
If I had on night where sunshine
Could break through and show you everything
I'd choose right now

If this is it, all we have
I know I've done all I can
If this is it and we can't stop
And start again
We cant fast forward to the end
This is it

But if I had one chance to freeze time
And stand still and soak in everything
I'd choose right now
If I had one night where sunshine
Could break through and show you everything
I'd choose right now
Before the fears that I once had start coming back

And I can take the slings and stones and fire
'Cause I know you'll make it all worthwhile
And everytime I fold, dissolve I'm lying on the ground
You drag me up again, and again
Oh please come back again
Oh please come back again

And I'm so scared, I might forget
Just don't want this to end
Just yet, not just yet

But if I had one chance to freeze time
And stand still and soak in everything
I'd choose right now
If I had on night where sunshine
Could break through and show you everything
I'd choose right now

Before the fears that I once
Had start coming back again

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Newton Faulkner's song "If This Is It" describe a desire to hold on to a moment and prevent it from ending. The singer pleads with those around him to not move or speak, as it may break the spell and signal the end of the moment. He acknowledges that this moment is not just about him, despite the feeling that it brings. If he had the power to freeze time, he would choose this moment to stay. The fear of losing the moment is palpable throughout the song, and the singer is scared that he may forget it soon. He is willing to face any obstacle that will prevent him from being able to relive this moment later.

The lyrics to this song reflect the universal desire to hold on to the good moments in life, and the fear of loss that comes with them. The singer does not want to forget the moment, but acknowledges that he has done all he can to preserve it. The desire to freeze time is something everyone can relate to, as it signifies the desire to hold on to happiness in a world that seems to move too fast.

Line by Line Meaning

No one move, no one speak
The singer requests everyone else to stay still and quiet.

Please don't say that its just me
The singer expresses their fear of being the only one invested in the moment.

Its not just me, and even though
The singer acknowledges that others are also invested in the moment, but still hesitant to let go.

I wont forget, just don't want this to end
The artist wants to cherish the moment and avoid the end, but also accepts that it will come and reminisces it later.

Just yet, not just yet
The artist emphasizes the desire to delay the ending of the moment for some more time.

If this is it, all we have
The singer accepts that the present moment is all they have.

I know I've done all I can
The singer reassures themselves that they have given their best to make the moment special.

If this is it and we can't stop
The artist accepts that they cannot control time and must embrace the present even if the moment ends too soon.

And start again
The artist is aware that the moment cannot be brought back to start again.

We cant fast forward to the end
The artist acknowledges that they can't control time to get to the end of the moment quicker.

This is it
The singer confirms that what they're experiencing is the present and nothing can change that fact.

And I can take the slings and stones and fire
The artist asserts that they can withstand any pain as long as they believe the moment was worth experiencing.

'Cause I know you'll make it all worthwhile
The singer is confident that the other person will make the present moment worth putting up a fight for.

And everytime I fold, dissolve I'm lying on the ground
The singer admits that they get lost and vulnerable at times, but the other person helps them get back up.

You drag me up again, and again
The singer expresses their gratitude towards the other person who helps them get up every time they fall.

Oh please come back again
The artist longs for the other person's presence to help them cope with the ending of the present moment.

And I'm so scared, I might forget
The artist acknowledges their fear of forgetting the present moment and the way it has made them feel.

Just don't want this to end
The singer reiterates their desire to avoid the ending of the moment.

Just yet, not just yet
The singer emphasizes the desire to delay the ending of the moment for some more time.

But if I had one chance to freeze time
The artist explores the possibility of capturing the moment by stopping time.

And stand still and soak in everything
The artist envisages the stillness of time would allow them to appreciate every detail of the moment and cherish it.

I'd choose right now
The artist is determined that this moment is worth preserving.

If I had on night where sunshine
The singer imagines a perfect moment where everything falls into place.

Could break through and show you everything
The artist wishes to share that perfect moment with the other person.

Before the fears that I once had start coming back again
The singer has experienced fears before and doesn't want them to interfere with the present moment, even though the ending is inevitable.

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ADAM STUART ARGYLE, NEWTON FAULKNER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS