Razorlight is a four-piece consisting of Borrell (vocals & guitar), Björn Ågren (guitar), Carl Dalemo (bass) and Andy Burrows (drums)
Their debut album, Up All Night, was released on June 28, 2004, reaching number 3 in the UK album charts on 4 July. The critical reception was generally good, receiving good reviews from NME, Q magazine and Billboard, although they were also accused of lack of imagination and unoriginality for allegedly borrowing ideas from other influential bands, notably The Strokes. They appear to polarize opinion. NME wrote that the album: "bristles with passion, energy and, most importantly, amazing songs", while they were described elsewhere as "nearly everything wrong with rock and roll today". Their fans, though, embrace the music for its simple melodies and multi-layered, easy-going compositions.
Frontman Johnny Borrell caused some controversy and surprise when he likened himself to musical legend Bob Dylan, quipping "If Dylan's making the chips then I'm drinking the champagne". This led to suggestions of self-promotion. This statement was taken out of context however as Borrell was comparing his and Dylan's first albums, not their overall career. The band became very popular on the London music scene when they arrived earlier in the year. Large demand caused the band to play extra shows, including a 7,000+ capacity gig at Alexandra Palace. The album was heavily marketed in the UK.
02. Rock 'n' Roll Lies
Razorlight Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She calls herself an angel, and she comes to town, and that's
(L-O-N-D-O-N)
Yeah, just so she can fall
(L-O-N-D-O-N)
There's something about the way she walks, you know
It suits the city streets so well and
Nobody's heard her band yet, and no one will
And here it comes now, there's nothing to say
There it goes again but no-one cares anyway
What's in your eyes, your rock'n'roll eyes
'Cause it's all just the lies, just the rock'n'roll lies
You see that man, he calls out for a drink, but you're all
You're all tied up in your backstage lines
And you, you just can't move a muscle
Six in the morning so you rise and you fall, you've got to
You've got to grab what you can
And your blue-blood man, baby, he's a winner, yeah
What a gunslinger!
Oh now, here he comes yeah, there's nothing to say
He must be someone to someone, but no-one cares anyway
He sees your eyes, your rock'n'roll eyes
We know it's all just lies, just the rock'n'roll lies
Oh!
But oh baby, when you say my name, I get such a thrill inside
She says there's something in the way that I look at her
I guess it's right here in my eyes
I can't lie
And here it comes now, there's nothing to say
Here it comes now, but no-one cares anyway
He sees your eyes, your rock'n'roll eyes
Just a bit like mine
Yeah, rock'n'roll eyes
It's just the lies, it's just the rock'n'roll lies
Oh it's just the lies, it's just the rock'n'roll lies
Oh
Yes it is, oh, yes it is
Lies and the lies and the lies and the lies
The song "Rock 'n' Roll Lie" by Razorlight is about the glamorized image of the rock 'n' roll lifestyle and the façade that it often presents. The song highlights the emptiness and hollowness of the industry and the people within it, with the lyrics speaking to the artificiality of the rock 'n' roll image that people project. The singer talks about a woman who calls herself an angel and comes to town to fall, alluding to the notion that people often come into the industry with preconceived ideas and are ultimately let down by the reality. The lyrics also focus on the lack of substance people in the industry often have, referencing the fact that nobody has heard the woman's band yet, and nobody will.
The song also criticizes the behavior of those in the industry, as the singer talks about the woman in the song being tied up in backstage lines and unable to move a muscle, suggesting that the people within the industry often get caught up in the hype and image rather than focusing on the music that they are creating. Additionally, the song talks about the man who calls out for a drink, but everyone is too caught up in their own hype to pay attention to him, highlighting the lack of camaraderie and support within the industry.
Overall, the song is a critique of the rock 'n' roll lifestyle and the image that it presents. The lyrics suggest that people in the industry often get caught up in the hype and image and forget the true purpose of creating music. The song highlights the emptiness and hollowness of the industry and the disillusionment that often comes along with it.
Line by Line Meaning
There's too much silence in her night
The woman in the song feels lonely and unfulfilled.
She calls herself an angel, and she comes to town, and that's
She has a grandiose idea of herself and likes to make an entrance.
(L-O-N-D-O-N)
She associates herself with the city of London.
Yeah, just so she can fall
She enjoys taking risks and pushing boundaries.
(L-O-N-D-O-N)
She continues to associate herself with the city of London.
There's something about the way she walks, you know
Her demeanor and attitude are captivating.
It suits the city streets so well and
Her persona is fitting for the urban environment.
Nobody's heard her band yet, and no one will
Although she claims to be a musician, her talents are unrecognized.
And here it comes now, there's nothing to say
The music industry is filled with empty promises and false expectations.
There it goes again but no-one cares anyway
The cycle of false hope and disappointment repeats itself.
What's in your eyes, your rock'n'roll eyes
The falsity and pretentiousness of the rock and roll lifestyle is reflected in your gaze.
'Cause it's all just the lies, just the rock'n'roll lies
The entire culture of rock and roll is built on lies and deceit.
You see that man, he calls out for a drink, but you're all
The woman in the song is surrounded by people with their own selfish motives.
You're all tied up in your backstage lines
The pursuit of fame and recognition blinds the characters in the song to their own humanity.
And you, you just can't move a muscle
The woman in the song is paralyzed by her own illusions and delusions.
Six in the morning so you rise and you fall, you've got to
The rock and roll lifestyle is exhausting and never-ending.
You've got to grab what you can
Despite the challenges, it's important to seize opportunities when they arise.
And your blue-blood man, baby, he's a winner, yeah
The woman in the song is enamored with her wealthy partner.
What a gunslinger!
The man is dominant and powerful.
Oh now, here he comes yeah, there's nothing to say
Even with all his money and influence, the man still lacks substance.
He must be someone to someone, but no-one cares anyway
Despite his status, no one really cares about him as a person.
He sees your eyes, your rock'n'roll eyes
The woman in the song continues to play into the rock and roll illusion.
We know it's all just lies, just the rock'n'roll lies
The song reiterates that rock and roll culture is a sham.
But oh baby, when you say my name, I get such a thrill inside
The woman in the song finds validation in her partner's affection.
She says there's something in the way that I look at her
The man finds satisfaction in his partner's admiration.
I guess it's right here in my eyes
Their entire relationship is built upon the illusion of rock and roll culture.
I can't lie
The woman acknowledges that her pursuit of fame and fortune is based on false pretenses.
Just a bit like mine
The man and woman share the same delusions and illusions about rock and roll culture.
Yeah, rock'n'roll eyes
The song reiterates the pretentious and false nature of rock and roll culture.
It's just the lies, it's just the rock'n'roll lies
The song concludes with the refrain that everything associated with rock and roll culture is a sham.
Oh it's just the lies, it's just the rock'n'roll lies
Oh
Yes it is, oh, yes it is
Lies and the lies and the lies and the lies
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN FORTIS, JOHNNY BORRELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind