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.
Somewhere Else
Razorlight Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't know who you are
You never say what you mean
And you keep your mouth shut
And your night stays still
And then you come and call on me
You say I just can't help myself
I really, really wish I could be
And I met a girl
She asked me my name
I told her what it was
She looked at me
I tried to explain
Exactly what I'd lost
But now I just can't help myself
I really, really wish I could be
Somewhere else than here
You give me everything I need
But I really, really wish I could be
Somewhere else than here
Just anywhere else
Just anywhere else than here
And I won't forget
No, I won't forget
No, I won't forget
When I saw you there
It was the first time
And you just walked on by
I was catching the sparks
That flew from your heels
Trying to catch your eye
But that was somewhere else
Yeah somewhere else, somewhere else
I really, really wish I could be
Somewhere else, somewhere else, somewhere else
I really, really wish I could be
Cause I just can't help myself,
I really, really wish I could b
Somewhere else than here
And no, I just can't help myself
I really, really wish I could
I've got everything I need
I really, really wish I could be
Somewhere else, somewhere else, somewhere else
I really, really wish I could be
The lyrics of Razorlight's Somewhere Else speak to the feeling of being trapped in one's current situation, whether that be a relationship or a place in life, and feeling the desire to escape to somewhere else. The first verse characterizes the person he is addressing as an "emotional wreck" who doesn't know who they are and doesn't say what they mean, leading to a sense of stagnation in their life. They reach out to the singer for help, but he can't do anything to change their situation. The chorus expresses the desire to be anywhere else but here, despite the fact that the person is getting everything they need in this current situation.
The second verse introduces a new character, a girl who asks for the singer's name. He tries to explain to her what he's lost, but he can't quite grasp it himself. The bridge recalls the first time he saw the person he's addressing, and how he was enamored with them but unable to catch their attention. The repetition of "somewhere else" throughout the song reinforces the idea that the desire to escape is a constant; it's not just about finding another physical location, but a mental and emotional one as well.
Line by Line Meaning
You're an emotional wreck
You are in a state of emotional turmoil and confusion
You don't know who you are
You are experiencing an identity crisis and lack clarity about your true self
You never say what you mean
You struggle to communicate your true thoughts or feelings honestly and openly
And you keep your mouth shut
You avoid speaking up, even when you need to express yourself
And your night stays still
Your life feels stagnant and unchanging
And then you come and call on me
You reach out to me for support or companionship
You say I just can't help myself
You acknowledge your own struggles and limitations
I really, really wish I could be
You deeply desire to be in a different situation or state of mind
Somewhere else than here
You yearn to escape from your current reality
And I met a girl
I encountered a new romantic interest
She asked me my name
She engaged in conversation with me and expressed interest in getting to know me
I told her what it was
I shared my name with her
She looked at me
She gave me her focused attention
I tried to explain
I attempted to articulate something confusing or complex
Exactly what I'd lost
The specific thing I was struggling to convey was the sense of something missing or absent in my life
You give me everything I need
You provide me with all the essentials to survive or thrive in life
Just anywhere else
Literally any other location or situation would be preferable to the current one
And I won't forget
I will remember the significant experiences or people in my life
When I saw you there
Referring to a specific moment when I noticed you in my presence
It was the first time
I had never experienced our encounter or interaction before
And you just walked on by
You disregarded my presence and continued on with your own path
I was catching the sparks
I was captivated by your energy and presence
That flew from your heels
The sparks and energy emanated from your movement and presence
Trying to catch your eye
I was attempting to grab your attention and make a connection with you
Yeah somewhere else, somewhere else
Again expressing a strong desire to escape the current situation or reality
Cause I just can't help myself
I acknowledge my own inability to change or control my feelings and desires
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Johnny Borrell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
FRANZESKA T
I just saw them live, amazing performance, my past self can't believe that i managed to see them live after all those years! His voice and their performance in general was amazing!
Geraldine Poet
I saw them last night, loved them.from their first album, great band, Johnny is an incredible lyricist, artist, musician, glad I could finally get to see them. Hope they continue to make more unique music
mwolvo
This was popular on the radio while my dad was dying in the hospice it became my anthem off his illness as "i'd rather be anywhere else than here". Been over a decade dad and i still feel as raw as if it were yesterday when i hear this love and miss you
MM Sizzlak
mwolvo sorry about ur Pop...I lost mine in 2015 and some days it feels like he passed yesterday and some days it feels like it's been decades
Anna Krol Banda
Hi, I hope and wish that the time frame is shorter for you experiencing the rawness even if the intensive elements are still there for you when hearing this tune. I feel you.
Phil Bradley
Big respect to you...I lost my mum to cancer in 2015 diagnosed out of the blue and terminal 4 days after the birth of my daughter...songs still resonate the beatles in my life was her song for me...i get so angry when I hear that scientists have put a little car on mars that can detect water or the hubble space telescope 2 is nearly ready...costing billions...how much money have cancer research worldwide received in the last 200 years...wonder where that money goes hmmm ! CURE BLOODY CANCER WE DONT CARE ABOUT WATER ON MARS !
Phil Bradley
DillyDyson007 absolutely agree
taliwakka27
kind of upbeat for a parent dying song lol!
Adrian Bunyard
Listening to this song really helped me when I suffered with depression. I used too just sort of replay the song in my head in the bad times and felt better. Seems silly I know but for me at the time it was a real help. I would love too tell the band one day how much they helped me. I am better now and living life. Thank you Razorlight.
XxkasiexX hehe
A get what u mean .100%x