He began experimenting with sound and four-track recording at the age of 11, eventually building an arsenal of instruments that included junk-shop organs and a home-built theremin. At the age of 14 he joined the pop-art collective Minty, a venture that caught the eyes and ears of Fat Cat Records, which went on to supply the youth with a computer and mixing tools for aid in his newfound audio experimentation. He left home at the age of 16 and formed Maison Crimineaux with his friend Fanny, which eventually found its way to France where the noisy duo played a show attended by electronic maestro Kristian Robinson (aka Capitol K), who went on to release Wolf's lauded 2003 debut. With Lycanthropy reaching number 39 in the NME's top LPs of the year, as well as receiving critical acclaim throughout Europe and America, Wolf decided to study composition at the Trinity College Music Conservatoire.
The results of that endeavor can be heard on his 2005 release Wind in the Wires, a dark collection of moody British folk and chamber pop with a chilly laptop sheen.
Wolf released his third album, and the first on a major label, The Magic Position, in February 2007. A concept album on the theme of love, the majority of it was written after the end of a long term intimate relationship. It featured collaborations with Marianne Faithfull and Edward Larrikin of Larrikin Love.
His fourth album, The Bachelor, was originally supposed to be part of a double album called Battle (the other disc was to be called The Conqueror). It was released on 1 June 2009. Guest musicians included Atari Teenage Riot's Alec Empire, actress Tilda Swinton, folk musician Eliza Carthy and avant-garde electronic pioneer Matthew Herbert.
Wolf's fifth album, Lupercalia, was released on 20 June 2011 by Hideout, a subsidiary of Mercury Records. Songfacts explains that the album title refers to the fertility and love festival which the ancient Romans celebrated between February 13-15 (the predecessor to Valentine's Day).
His latest release is a double album entitled Sundark and Riverlight, celebrating Wolf's 10 years as a recording artist. The album features acoustic re-recordings of songs from throughout his career, as well as previously unheard tracks.
Blackdown
Patrick Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I walked West Sussex sunlight up by dead man's pool
Where ma Mudlark and Lewes
Stared me down, you drunken fool
Old teenage debts engulfed my chest
As I contemplate death
Put a challenge to its glamor
Wet afternoon breath was taken deep into my lungs
Thinking of the man I must become
My story has just begun
And I will be returning to myself soon
I've been alone for so many
Of the great moments in my life
Alone like so many
At this moment in my life asking
Father, father anyway I can help ye?
I am only just growing much better to know thee
Thank you for all the things you've given to our family
Given your whole life to your wife and my sister and me
Now I look out north of battle where our ancestors lie in grave
West to Breed where the blacksmith put root to our family name
And I get proud of my birthright, think of the things that I must leave
When I leave behind the city and the living finally
Desire, desire, desire
Desire, desire deep down inside of me
You are not the maker nor the master of me
Help me to better support my family
And better, better of a brother be
Desire, desire deep down inside of me, oh now
You are not the wrecker nor the ruler of me
Desire, desire deep down in me
Yes, I've been alone for too many
These great moments in my life
Alone like too many but desire, desire
Desire you are not the maker of me, oh now
All as I walked up on Blackdown
The song Blackdown by Patrick Wolf is a contemplative reflection on life and the self, with the lyrics touching on themes of self-discovery, family, and ancestry. The song begins with the singer walking upon Blackdown in West Sussex, where he is reminded of both the beauty and the transience of life. Throughout the song, he grapples with the weight of his financial and emotional debts, as well as the responsibility he feels towards his family. He also honors his family's roots by reflecting on his ancestors' graves in Battle and the legacy they left behind, while expressing his desire to be a better brother and family member. The repetition of the word "desire" throughout the song speaks to the singer's inner struggles and his search for meaning and purpose.
The lyrics of this song are rich with references and allusions, making it a complex and multi-layered piece of music. The lyrics bear witness to the singer's emotional journey, while also drawing connections between his personal story and larger cultural and historical narratives. The song explores the idea of the self as something that is not fixed, but constantly evolving and changing, and acknowledges the anxiety and uncertainty that can come along with that realization.
Line by Line Meaning
And I walked, and I walked upon Blackdown
I walked through Blackdown, thinking about my life and what lies ahead.
And I walked West Sussex sunlight up by dead man's pool
I strolled in the beautiful West Sussex sunshine near a pool known as Dead Man's Pool.
Where ma Mudlark and Lewes stared me down, you drunken fool
My past debts and mistakes were haunting me and I felt like I was being judged by my hometown and my younger self.
Old teenage debts engulfed my chest
I felt overwhelmed by the debts and mistakes I made in my teenage years.
As I contemplate death
I thought about the inevitability of death and what my life has meant up to this point.
Put a challenge to its glamor
I questioned the allure and beauty of death.
And all its loss and glory
I considered the good and the bad that comes with death.
Wet afternoon breath was taken deep into my lungs
I took a deep breath on a damp, rainy afternoon.
Thinking of the man I must become
I thought about the person that I need to become in order to find fulfillment in my life.
My story has just begun
I believe that my life is just starting, with plenty of potential and opportunity ahead of me.
And I will be returning to myself soon
I know that I will come back to my true self and my roots in due time.
I've been alone for so many
I have spent many important moments of my life by myself.
Of the great moments in my life
These moments were significant and should have ideally been shared with loved ones.
Alone like so many
Like many others, I have experienced loneliness.
At this moment in my life asking
Currently, I am questioning certain aspects of my life and yearning for clarity.
Father, father anyway I can help ye?
I ask my father if there is anything I can do to support him.
I am only just growing much better to know thee
I am learning more about my father and our relationship as I mature.
Thank you for all the things you've given to our family
I express gratitude to my father for everything he has done for our family.
Given your whole life to your wife and my sister and me
I recognize the sacrifices my father has made for our family and how much he cares for us.
Now I look out north of battle where our ancestors lie in grave
I reflect on my family's history and the fact that my ancestors are buried in the north of Battle.
West to Breed where the blacksmith put root to our family name
I think about the origins of my family name and where it came from.
And I get proud of my birthright, think of the things that I must leave
I reflect on my heritage and legacy, and the things that I will eventually leave behind.
When I leave behind the city and the living finally
I think about the eventual end of my life and leaving behind the city and the living world.
Desire, desire, desire
I am full of desire, ambition, and passion.
Desire, desire deep down inside of me
I feel a deep-seated desire within me.
You are not the maker nor the master of me
My desires are not controlling me; I am in control of them.
Help me to better support my family
I ask for guidance to be a better supporter and care for my family more effectively.
And better, better of a brother be
I want to be a better brother and form stronger relationships with my siblings.
Yes, I've been alone for too many
I have spent too much time alone and crave connection with others.
These great moments in my life
These moments were exceptionally significant and would have been better shared with loved ones.
Alone like too many but desire, desire
Despite my loneliness, I am still full of desire and passion.
Desire you are not the maker of me, oh now
My desire for success and fulfillment are not the things that define me or control my life.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: PATRICK WOLF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind