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.
60 Thompson
Razorlight Lyrics
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There are letters from every shore
There are flowers of the season
Heels are capsized by the door
You're well protected
Cold as you must be to survive
But I know somewhere behind your barricade
And in my blood
Your ghost is crying living tears
And I can't switch them off
Or turn them down or out
You are a night flower
You bloom as I fade
And you drag me in deeper
Behind your barricade
With the love that can be made
Behind your barricade
Yes, and how long can I stay?
And this addition of yourself
You don't believe in anymore
We'll face the chat show at 8:30
And we'll freeze in the applause
Who am I to argue?
Here everybody must get paid
May you bloom forever
Behind your barricade
Looking for a love that can be made
Behind your barricade
Yes, and how long can I stay
Behind your barricade?
Where true arrows seldom stray
The lyrics of Razorlight's song, "60 Thompson," is a moving tribute to a woman who is described as distant and cold. Despite the woman's exterior appearance of being well-protected, the lyrics suggest that there is a vulnerable side to her that is hidden behind a barricade. The song speaks to the singer's deep emotions as he wrestles with his love for her, knowing that there is a love that can be made behind her barricade.
The first few verses describe the woman who is staying at the hotel as someone who is leading a protected life. She has letters from every shore, flowers of the season, and heels that are capsized by the door. These attributes indicate that she is someone who is well-traveled and has an air of sophistication about her. However, the singer knows that behind her barricade, there is a love that can be made if only she would let down her defenses.
There is a sense of longing in the second part of the song as the singer expresses his desire to be with the woman despite her defenses. He realizes that he is hooked on her and that she has become a part of him. He describes her as a night flower who blooms as he fades, and how she drags him in deeper behind her barricade. The song ends with a note of resignation as the singer accepts that he cannot stay forever behind her barricade but hopes that she may bloom forever.
Line by Line Meaning
The bell boy brings you coffee
Someone brings you coffee
There are letters from every shore
You receive letters from many places
There are flowers of the season
You have seasonal flowers
Heels are capsized by the door
Your shoes are thrown by the door
You're well protected
You're safe and guarded
Cold as you must be to survive
You have to be tough to endure
But I know somewhere behind your barricade
But I believe there's a softer side to you
There's a love that can be made
There's potential for love
And in my blood
And within me
Your ghost is crying living tears
Your memory brings me to tears
And I can't switch them off
I can't stop feeling emotional
Or turn them down or out
I can't ignore or escape my feelings
You are a night flower
You're someone who blossoms at night
You bloom as I fade
You thrive while I decline
And you drag me in deeper
You pull me in more deeply
With the love that can be made
With the potential for love
Behind your barricade
Despite your tough exterior
Yes, and how long can I stay?
But how long can I keep trying?
And this addition of yourself
And this new version of you
You don't believe in anymore
You've lost faith in yourself
We'll face the chat show at 8:30
We'll deal with the public scrutiny
And we'll freeze in the applause
And we'll be stuck in the moment
Who am I to argue?
Who am I to dispute this?
Here everybody must get paid
Here, everyone must earn their keep
May you bloom forever
May you always shine bright
Behind your barricade
Despite your tough exterior
Looking for a love that can be made
Searching for potential for love
Yes, and how long can I stay
But how long can I keep trying?
Behind your barricade?
Despite your tough exterior, can I keep pursuing you?
Where true arrows seldom stray
Where true love is rare and hard to find
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDY BURROWS, JOHNNY BORRELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Usagi Igasu
I think, this is the strongest song of the album... is so amazing I love it !!
leablix
i love this song ♥
MisterWhat
One of the best tracks of the album. Not really theyr sound, but a well done Dylan vibe.
Vetinari
Love it, always.
ﾉ♪♪ ﾉ♪♪
Lindau32
Johnny wrote this song for his ex Kirsten Dunst... perfect song with a lot of passion!
E.Yn
nice song
einampriereikalo
mmm, very nice. and very short but the lyrics are so good.
Someone Somewhere
Johnny or Andy (don't remember exactly who) said in an interview that they realised after the finishing of the song that it could be about a lot of different people.
s
sooo simon&garfunkel love it!
gus23a
@MisterWhat you are right. this song reminds me a bit of bob dylan, too.