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.
UFO
Newton Faulkner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I had nothing to drink, i don't think,
Okay, well maybe a glass of wine,
But nothing that would loosen my mind,
Woooah an alien bein'! My mind can't make sense of what i'm seein',
It's beginning to take control, So i better watch out for the anal probe.
CHORUS:
We got,
UFO, hello.
UFO, hello.
UFO, hello.
UFO, hello.
They come in peace, we stay in war,
We like to get drunk and fight each other in bars,
And all im tryin' to say, is if u were to look,
From the outside looking in, where would you begin?
CHORUS
And I,
When I look into the sky and I see a strange light,
Everything is alright, everything is alright. x2
UFO, hello. (If you wanna take the time to say,)
UFO, hello. (I've been waitin' in a field to say,)
UFO, (If you wanna take the time to say,)
Hello, ( I've been waitin' in line,) x2
UFO, hello. (If you wanna take the time to say,)
UFO, hello. (I've been waitin' in a field to say,)
UFO, (If you wanna take the time to say,)
Hello, ( I've been waitin' in line,)
I just wanna say hi.
In Newton Faulkner's song "UFO," the singer describes an experience where they witness a UFO in the sky. The lyrics suggest that the singer had not been drinking heavily, but that they had just consumed a glass of wine. The sighting of the UFO seems to have a profound impact on the singer's perception of the world, and they struggle to process what they are seeing. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "UFO, hello," suggesting that the singer is trying to communicate with the alien beings that they believe they are witnessing.
The song suggests that humanity is entrenched in cycles of violence (as evidenced by the lines "We like to get drunk and fight each other in bars"), and that an encounter with alien life might offer a new perspective on our planet and its inhabitants. Additionally, the song seems to suggest a strong desire for connection - the chorus repeats the phrase "UFO, hello" multiple times, and the singer says "I just wanna say hi" at the end of the song. This longing for connection may suggest a sense of loneliness or isolation on the part of the singer - perhaps they feel that they don't belong in the world they see around them and are seeking other forms of validation or understanding.
Overall, "UFO" is a quirky and whimsical song that touches on some deep themes related to perception, connection, and our place in the universe. Though the lyrics are fairly simple and straightforward, they offer a playful and imaginative spin on our relationship to the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
It was late one night a little while ago,
The incident happened some time ago.
I had nothing to drink, i don't think,
I did not have anything to drink, hardly anything.
Okay, well maybe a glass of wine,
Alright, perhaps a small amount of wine.
But nothing that would loosen my mind,
However, I consumed an insufficient amount to impair my judgment.
To the point of seeing, what i'm seeing in the sky.
It wasn't enough to cause me to hallucinate or perceive things that don't actually exist.
Woooah an alien bein'! My mind can't make sense of what i'm seein',
I spotted an extraterrestrial creature, and I am having difficulty comprehending what I am witnessing.
It's beginning to take control, So i better watch out for the anal probe.
It is affecting me psychologically, and I should be vigilant for any invasive physical examinations.
We got, UFO, hello. UFO, hello. UFO, hello. UFO, hello.
The UFO has arrived, and is trying to communicate by repeatedly showing up.
They come in peace, we stay in war, We like to get drunk and fight each other in bars,
They are benevolent, but we are violent towards each other usually in bars while drinking.
And all im tryin' to say, is if u were to look,
What I am attempting to convey is that if you were an outsider looking in,
From the outside looking in, where would you begin?
Where would you begin if you were observing us from an external point of view?
When I look into the sky and I see a strange light, Everything is alright, everything is alright. x2
Despite the strange light I see in the sky, everything seems to be fine and normal.
UFO, hello. (If you wanna take the time to say,) UFO, hello. (I've been waitin' in a field to say,) UFO, (If you wanna take the time to say,) Hello, ( I've been waitin' in line,) x2
The UFO has initiated contact, and I'm ready to communicate if they are willing to listen.
I just wanna say hi.
All I want to do is greet them.
Contributed by Sophia O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@tycho_m
He is easily the most underappreciated musician of today. He is unique!
@epandaface
Still true to this day
@AmbieBambie93
It's actually embarrasing that we don't always recognise talent, and let a GENIUS like Newton Faulker play on the streets. Although I think he loves it... <3
@Metalhead2234
Just saw him live yesterday... My god... he is AWESOME!
@lnzpillow
i can't help but nod my head along with this song...i love it. such a great song with some great licks
@Cathyelliott
I discovered NF on a road trip with some friends. great albums, good lyricist, great hooks.
@DeanAndSam
Dude you are awesome!!!! you deserve to make it big!
@xArwenx
The Album is excellent! and this song.. I must have played it over and over again 1000 times today at work lol amazing guy! love him!
@joewattguitarist
I love the way the percussive line and the melody intertwine.
@Huw312
I don't get how anyone can dislike Newton Faulkner, he seems awesome!