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.
10. up all night
Razorlight Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Made a couple of friends and now
Our things have never looked so good
Our things have never been so clear
And now I'm alone with you
I'm always up all night
And I get music running in my head
And I, I lose the strength to fight
She's been up all night
We're, we're just up all night
This town is for the counterfeit dreamers
And maybe I'm one too, well I
I keep my hand behind my back when I
I don't know what else to do
The streets that I grew up in, they might mean
Nothing to you, but I
I'll show you where I come from if you please
Just tell me what I'm supposed to do
[Chorus]
Cause I, I've been up all night
She's been up all night
We're, we're just up all night
That sweet and sacred feeling you know
Will never last long
Every time you turn around you'll see
One more part of you, yes it's gone
I need your spirit darling
And lend me your helping hand, and I
I'll meet you in the morning
When I've broken up the band
[Chorus: x2]
I've been up all night
The lyrics to Razorlight's song 10, "up all night" appear to be about the singer's experience of being up all night, with music running through their head, and losing the strength to fight during these times. The song seems to express a sense of longing and loneliness, with the singer suggesting that they have lost a sacred feeling, but have made some friends who have helped them see things more clearly. It seems as though the singer is seeking some sort of guidance or direction, expressing uncertainty about what they're supposed to do.
The second verse of the song suggests that the town the singer is in is full of counterfeit dreamers, including themselves, and that they're not sure what else to do but keep their hand behind their back. The singer expresses a desire to show someone where they come from, but needs direction in order to know how to do that.
Overall, the song seems to be about navigating through uncertainty and loneliness, and finding solace in music and friendship.
Line by Line Meaning
I lost the sacred feeling but I
I've lost the sense of awe and wonder I once had, but despite that...
Made a couple of friends and now
...I've made some companions and now...
Our things have never looked so good
...our possessions never seemed so attractive...
Our things have never been so clear
...our material belongings have never seemed so easy to understand...
And now I'm alone with you
...and now that I'm with you in private...
I'm always up all night
...I frequently stay awake throughout the night...
And I get music running in my head
...and I often have songs stuck in my mind...
And I, I lose the strength to fight
...and I, therefore, lose the willpower to resist...
Cause I, I've been up all night
...since I have been awake all night long...
She's been up all night
...the woman I'm singing about has also been awake all night...
We're, we're just up all night
...both of us are awake all night long...
This town is for the counterfeit dreamers
The town we're in is full of people who pretend to have aspirations they don't actually have...
And maybe I'm one too, well I
...and perhaps I am one of these counterfeit dreamers as well, considering that...
I keep my hand behind my back when I
...I'm always hesitant and guarded when I...
I don't know what else to do
...I'm not sure what action to take...
The streets that I grew up in, they might mean
...the roads I was raised on may not have the same significance to you, but for me...
Nothing to you, but I
...they hold a great deal of meaning...
I'll show you where I come from if you please
...I'll guide you to where I'm from if you like...
Just tell me what I'm supposed to do
...just give me instructions on what to do next...
That sweet and sacred feeling you know
That special and holy emotion you're familiar with...
Will never last long
...it's a fleeting sensation that never lingers for too long...
Every time you turn around you'll see
...each time you look back you'll find...
One more part of you, yes it's gone
...that a piece of who you are has disappeared...
I need your spirit darling
I require your enthusiasm, my dear...
And lend me your helping hand, and I
...and please give me a hand, so that...
I'll meet you in the morning
...we can meet again tomorrow morning...
When I've broken up the band
...once I have disbanded my group...
[Chorus: x2]
Cause I, I've been up all night
She's been up all night
We're, we're just up all night
...because we've been unable to sleep...
I've been up all night
...I've stayed awake throughout the night...
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHNNY BORRELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind