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.
Englishman In New York
Razorlight Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like my toast done on one side
And you can hear it in my accent when I talk
I'm an Englishman in New York
See me walking down Fifth Avenue
A walking cane here at my side
I take it everywhere I walk
Oh oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Oh oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
If manners maketh man, as someone said
Then he's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say
Be yourself no matter what they say
Oh oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Oh oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety
You could end up as the only one
Gentleness, sobriety, so rare in this society
At night, a candle's brighter than the sun
Takes more than combat gear to make a man
More than a license for a gun
Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can
A gentleman will walk but never run
If manners maketh man, as someone said
Then he's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say
Be yourself no matter what they say
Oh oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Oh oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Oh oh, I'm an alien
Oh oh, I'm an alien
Oh oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Oh oh
Oh oh oh oh...
The song "Englishman in New York" by Razorlight is a cover of Sting's 1987 hit song of the same name. The song is about the experience of an Englishman living in America and the cultural differences between the two countries. The lyrics are particularly notable for portraying the singer as someone who doesn't conform to American stereotypes, remaining true to his English roots.
The song opens with the line "I don't drink coffee, I take tea, my dear / Like my toast done on one side / And you can hear it in my accent when I talk / I'm an Englishman in New York". This highlights the differences in culinary habits between the two countries, as well as the singer's distinct accent. The chorus repeats the refrain "I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien / I'm an Englishman in New York", emphasizing the cultural divide between the two countries.
The second verse discusses the importance of manners and being true to oneself, regardless of what others may say. The lines "Gentleness, sobriety, so rare in this society / At night, a candle's brighter than the sun" suggest that the singer believes in the value of modesty and restraint. The final verse, like the second, stresses the importance of being true to oneself and standing up for what one believes in, with lines like "Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can / A gentleman will walk but never run".
Line by Line Meaning
I don't drink coffee, I take tea, my dear
I prefer tea over coffee
Like my toast done on one side
I prefer my toast to be cooked on only one side
And you can hear it in my accent when I talk
My accent reveals that I am English
I'm an Englishman in New York
I am an English person living in New York City
See me walking down Fifth Avenue
Visualizing the persona walking on Fifth Avenue
A walking cane here at my side
I carry a walking cane with me wherever I go
I take it everywhere I walk
I always have my walking cane with me
An Englishman in New York
I am an English person living in New York City
Oh oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I feel like an outsider even though I am legally allowed to be here
If manners maketh man, as someone said
Someone once said that a person is defined by their manners
Then he's the hero of the day
If that is true, then the persona is very good at behaving politely
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
A person must be strong to ignore ignorance and continue to be polite
Be yourself no matter what they say
Be true to who you are, regardless of what others may say
Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety
Being modest and well-behaved can attract unwanted attention
You could end up as the only one
Someone who behaves very politely may be the only one in a group to do so
Gentleness, sobriety, so rare in this society
Many people do not exhibit gentleness or sobriety in this society
At night, a candle's brighter than the sun
In the right context, even a small and gentle gesture can have a big impact
Takes more than combat gear to make a man
Having military gear is not enough to define a person
More than a license for a gun
Even having a gun license does not fully define a person
Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can
It is important to stand up to one's enemies, but sometimes it is best to avoid them altogether
A gentleman will walk but never run
A polite person will not rush or panic in a situation
Oh oh
Exclamation that leads into chorus
I'm an alien
The persona feels out of place and disconnected
I'm a legal alien
Despite feeling disconnected, the persona has the right to be there
I'm an Englishman in New York
I am an English person living in New York City
Oh oh oh oh...
Repetitive chorus ending that emphasizes the persona's feeling of being an outsider
Contributed by John S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-ut7ch1dh8x
【lyrics】
I don't drink coffee I take tea, my dear
I like my toast done on one side
And you can hear it in my accent when I talk
I'm an Englishman in New York
You see me walking down Fifth Avenue
A walking cane here at my side
I take it everywhere I walk
I'm an Englishman in New York
Whoa, I'm an alien
I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Whoa, I'm an alien
I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
If manners maketh man as someone said
He's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say
Whoa. I'm an alien
I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Whoa. I'm an alien
I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety
But you could end up as the only one
Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society
At night a candle's brighter than the sun
Takes more than combat gear to make a man
Takes more than a license for a gun
Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can
A gentleman will walk but never run
If manners maketh man as someone said
He's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say
@antoniettatomatis5544
Today I read again VERY CAREFULLY THE STING SONG AND SUDDENLY IT SEEMS TO ME LIKE A PRAYER FOR EVERIBODY,
FOR WHITE PEOPLE AND COLOURED PEOPLE, FOR ILL PEOPLE AND NO ILL PEOPLE
(I can't remember what we can say
In English: NO ILL PEOPLE)
Aniwei I'm sure y
YOU'VE UNDERSTAND WHAT'S I MEANS.
IN ITALY NOW ARE ABOUT
3 OCLOC IN THE AFTERNOONS.
IN USA PEOPLE ARE SLEEPING,
I THINK.
I SAY YOU: HAVE A GOOD NIGHT AND "SOGNI D'ORO" TRANSLATED MEANS about "YOUR DREAMS COULD BE GOLD". NO BADLY.
ARE YOU AGRI WHIT ME?????
NOW I'M GOING TO THE BAR
JUST FOR TO TAKES A COFFEE
AND TO READ A NEWSPAPER.
THIS MORNING I WAS VERY BUSY
ON SHOPPING TO MILANO.
I BUY A HAT CALLED "BORSALINO" BEIGE COLOR, AND I WAS WEARING IT VERY APPROPRIATELY WHIT MY TRUSSARDY PIUMINO (IN ENGLISH I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU SAID NO I CAN'T REMEMBER HOW ITS THE NAME.
TO BE CONTINUED
MAYBE YES MAYBE NOT
IT DEPENDS
IF YOU'RE INTERESTING ON ITALIAN STILE
(ARMANI, TRUSSARDI,
TRU-TRUSSARDI, VALENTINO,
VALENTINO GARAVANI,
MAXMARA, ASPESI, LUCIANA ZUFFI, LORO PIANA, ....AND SO ON
LUISA SPAGNOLI, PAOLO TONALI,
@furihatakouki9097
34 years later... If you're watching this you're officially legend.
@novelcertad722
you mean 30 years later
@dmusic2424
I knowwww
@kostretek4585
I love this song
@furihatakouki9097
@@kostretek4585 same.
@ibrahimbaglayc9236
I love this song
@vnchrnkh
I don't drink coffee, I take vodka my dear.
I'm a Russian man in New York.
@yaskko5555
Иван Черных lol
@roselynd1586
😀i dont drink coffe i dont drink vodka but i drink Milk 🇮🇹i m Italian yeah
@fibific3551
I dont drink coffe, I dont drink vodka, I dont drink mili, I drink beer, I m Polish🇵🇱