Born on born 9th January 1987 in Paisley, Scotland, his father is of Italian descent and his mother Glaswegian, although his father's family have been in Scotland for four generations. Nutini had no formal music training, and was expecting to follow his father into the family fish and chip shop business. He was first encouraged to sing by his music-loving grandfather and a teacher at his school who recognised his talent. He left school to work as a roadie and to sell T-shirts for Speedway and spent three years learning the music business, performing live, alone and with a band, and working as a studio hand at Glasgow's Park Lane Studio.
His big chance came when he attended a concert for David Sneddon's return to his home town of Paisley at the beginning of 2003. Sneddon was delayed, and as the winner of an impromptu pop quiz, Nutini was given the chance to perform a couple of songs on stage during the wait. The favourable reaction of the crowd impressed another member of the audience, who offered to become his manager.
A Daily Record journalist, John Dingwall, saw him performing at the Queen Margaret Union, and invited him to appear live on Radio Scotland. Still only seventeen, he moved to London, and performed regularly at the Bedford pub in Balham whilst still legally too young to drink alcohol himself. Other radio and live appearances followed, including two live acoustic spots on Radio London, The Hard Rock Cafe, and support slots for Amy Winehouse and KT Tunstall.
His debut album, These Streets, produced by Ken Nelson (Coldplay/Gomez), was released on 17th July 2006, and immediately entered the U.K. album charts at number three. Many of the songs on the album, including "Last Request" and "Rewind", were inspired by a turbulent relationship with a girlfriend, and "Jenny Don't Be Hasty" is a true story about encounters with an older woman.
On 29th May 2009 Nutini released his second studio album, Sunny Side Up, after the first single from that album, "Candy", was released on 18th May. In July, he appeared on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, performing "Coming Up Easy". This was released as the second single from the album on 10th August.
Desperation
Paolo Nutini Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Eyes rolling forward at the mind's rebirth
Desperation is a friend at hand
The reach for touch in this arid land
Oh, but you, you know what you do
Yeah, you, and your dancing shoes
Oh, you, so good at writing tomorrow
Desperation is the things we miss
It's the asteroid, it's the final kiss
Desperation is the disconnect
The warring sighs for some self respect
Oh, but you, you are so beautifully wired
Yeah, you, and your dancing shoes
Oh, you, so good at being desired
You do anything you want to
Everything we miss
Everything we miss
Desperation was my sanctuary
The Empire State of my sanity
Desperation is a counter strike
Against the giants and the rats alike
Oh, but you, you go clear of the shadows
Yeah, you, and your dancing shoes
Oh, you, so good at writing tomorrow
Would you, take me with you? You
Desperation
Desperation
Desperation
Desperation
Desperation
Desperation
Desperation
The lyrics to Paolo Nutini's song "Desperation" convey a powerful message about the multifaceted nature of desperation. The song suggests that desperation can have a strange value, as it pushes us to examine our own thoughts and perspectives. It is portrayed as a friend that we turn to in times of need, seeking connection and touch in a barren emotional landscape.
The lyrics also highlight the ability of desperation to make us yearn for things we have lost or missed out on. It is depicted as both the catastrophic event (the asteroid) and the bittersweet goodbye (the final kiss). Desperation is portrayed as a disconnection from ourselves and a longing for self-respect to counter the inner conflict we face.
The song acknowledges that despite the challenges and difficulties that desperation brings, there are individuals who seem to flourish in the midst of it. The lines "you, and your dancing shoes" suggest that there are people who have mastered the art of navigating desperation, perhaps finding solace or release through their passion for dancing. These individuals possess the ability to create their own destiny and shape their tomorrow according to their desires.
Line by Line Meaning
Desperation has a funny worth
Desperation holds a peculiar value
Eyes rolling forward at the mind's rebirth
Looking ahead eagerly as the mind undergoes a transformation
Desperation is a friend at hand
Desperation becomes a reliable companion
The reach for touch in this arid land
Yearning for connection in a barren environment
Oh, but you, you know what you do
But you, you are aware of your actions
Yeah, you, and your dancing shoes
Yes, you, and your ability to navigate life gracefully
Oh, you, so good at writing tomorrow
Oh, you, skilled at shaping your own destiny
You do anything you want to
You have the freedom to do whatever you desire
Desperation is the things we miss
Desperation represents the things we long for
It's the asteroid, it's the final kiss
It's the catastrophic event, the ultimate farewell
Desperation is the disconnect
Desperation symbolizes the feeling of being detached
The warring sighs for some self respect
The conflicting sighs in search of self-esteem
Oh, but you, you are so beautifully wired
But you, you are intricately and wonderfully connected
Yeah, you, and your dancing shoes
Yes, you, and your ability to move through life gracefully
Oh, you, so good at being desired
Oh, you, skilled at evoking desire in others
You do anything you want to
You have the freedom to do whatever you desire
Everything we miss
All the things we long for
Desperation was my sanctuary
Desperation provided solace and refuge for me
The Empire State of my sanity
The stronghold of my sanity
Desperation is a counter strike
Desperation is a retaliatory action
Against the giants and the rats alike
Against both the formidable opponents and the cunning adversaries
Oh, but you, you go clear of the shadows
But you, you emerge from the darkness unscathed
Yeah, you, and your dancing shoes
Yes, you, and your ability to navigate life gracefully
Oh, you, so good at writing tomorrow
Oh, you, skilled at shaping your own destiny
Would you, take me with you? You
Could you, bring me along with you? You
Desperation
Desperation
Desperation
Desperation
Desperation
Desperation
Desperation
Desperation
Desperation
Desperation
Desperation
Desperation
Desperation
Desperation
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Paolo Giovanni Nutini
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind