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.
Long Shot
Newton Faulkner Lyrics
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Everything we'll ever need
You and I
Look aroung and you will see
Broken minds and shattered dreams
Wasted time
But I don't mind loosing sleep
Squeezing through the cracks between
It's such a long shot
Everything that we've got
Just living on this rock
Surrounded by the sea
With our shoes off
Balancing on rooftops
You put your faith in preachers
I put my faith in me
Given time we could've seen
All the things he could've been
If he'd tried
But he settled for the English dream
Lived in mediocraty
Stood in line
But that's not enough for me
I wil kick and I will scream
Tell you why
It's such a long shot
Everything that we've got
Just living on this rock
Surrounded by the sea
With our shoes off
Balancing on rooftops
You put your faith in preachers
I put my faith in me
I don't wanna waste your time
I don't wanna waste your time
It's such a long shot
Everything that we've got
Just living on this rock
Surrounded by the sea
With our shoes off
Balancing on rooftops
You put your faith in preachers
I put my faith in me
It's such a long shot
Everything that we've got
Just living on this rock
Surrounded by the sea
With our shoes off
Balancing on rooftops
You put your faith in preachers
I put my faith in me
The lyrics of Newton Faulkner's song Long Shot discuss the idea that everything we need is already within us, and that we are capable of achieving great things despite the odds. The song juxtaposes the broken minds and shattered dreams of those who settle for mediocrity with the singer's determination to kick and scream for what they believe in. The song encourages the listener to look around and see that, although life may seem like a long shot, living on this rock surrounded by the sea is still worth it, and to put faith in oneself rather than others.
The lyrics convey a sense of ambition and perseverance, with the singer acknowledging that their goals may seem unattainable, but they are willing to work hard and take risks to achieve them. The line "with our shoes off, balancing on rooftops" can be interpreted as committing oneself to a path that may be difficult or uncertain, but still ultimately rewarding. The lyrics also imply that one's faith should not be put in external sources, such as preachers, but rather within themselves.
In summary, Long Shot is an uplifting song that encourages listeners to take risks, believe in themselves, and strive for greatness, even if it means going against the norm and taking an uncharted path.
Line by Line Meaning
It's all there underneath
We have all that we need within us
Everything we'll ever need
Our basic requirements are already provided for
You and I
Together, we can face anything
Look around and you will see
Many people have given up on their dreams
Broken minds and shattered dreams
People have lost their way in life
Wasted time
Time is a precious resource that shouldn't be squandered
But I don't mind losing sleep
I am willing to put in the effort to achieve my goals
Squeezing through the cracks between
Making the most of every opportunity, no matter how small
Day and Night
All the time, without pause
It's such a long shot
Our chances of success are slim
Everything that we've got
The little we possess
Just living on this rock
Simply existing on this planet
Surrounded by the sea
The vastness and uncertainty of life
With our shoes off
Not being held back by societal norms or expectations
Balancing on rooftops
Living dangerously, taking risks
You put your faith in preachers
Reliance on external sources of guidance
I put my faith in me
Trusting one's own abilities and instincts
Given time we could've seen
With patience, anything is possible
All the things he could've been
The potential of an individual untapped
If he'd tried
If only he had put in the effort
But he settled for the English dream
Living an unremarkable, ordinary life
Lived in mediocrity
Being satisfied with less than one's full potential
Stood in line
Following the herd, conforming to societal norms
But that's not enough for me
I refuse to settle for an average life
I will kick and I will scream
I will fight for what I believe in
Tell you why
Explain my reasoning to others
I don't wanna waste your time
I value your time and don't want to burden you unnecessarily
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: NEWTON FAULKNER, JOHN ROBERT BECK, STEVE CHRISANTHOU
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind