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.
When Doves Cry
Razorlight Lyrics
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Of you and I engaged in a kiss
The sweat of your body covers G
Can you my darling
Can you picture this?
Dream if you can a courtyard
An ocean of violets in bloom
They feel the heat
The heat between me and you
How can you just leave me standing?
Alone in a world that's so cold?
Maybe I'm just too demanding
Maybe I'm just like my father, too bold
Maybe I'm just like my mother
She's never satisfied (She's never satisfied)
Why do we scream at each other
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry
Touch if you will my stomach
Feel how it trembles inside
Now you've got the butterflies all tied up
Don't make me chase
Even doves have pride
How can you just leave me standing?
Alone in a world so cold? (World so cold)
Maybe I'm just too demanding
Maybe I'm just like my father, too bold
Maybe I'm just like my mother
She's never satisfied (She's never satisfied)
Why do we scream at each other
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry
How can you just leave me standing?
Alone in world that's so cold
Maybe I'm just too demanding (Maybe, maybe I'm like my father)
Maybe I'm just like my mother (Maybe I'm just like my mother)
She's never satisfied (She's never, never satisfied)
Why do we scream at each other (Why do we scream, why)
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry
Maybe I'm just like my mother
She's never satisfied (She's never satisfied)
Why do we scream at each other (Why do we scream at each other)
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry
The lyrics to Razorlight's song "When Doves Cry" are a mix of sensual imagery and frustrated emotions. The song starts with an invitation to imagine the physical connection between two people, with the sweat covering the body and the heat between them. The second verse describes a dreamlike scene of an ocean of violets in bloom with the singer striking curious poses like a "nigga", which is a reference to the derogatory term used against black people. The pre-chorus expresses a feeling of abandonment and questioning, with the singer wondering why their partner left them alone in this cold world.
The chorus repeats the same questions of why and self-doubt of being too demanding and too bold like their parents. The final verse continues the sensual imagery of the touch, but also reveals the vulnerability with the butterflies in the stomach. The singer pleads their partner not to make them chase, ending with the haunting line that "even doves have pride", suggesting that the relationship has reached a breaking point.
The title and some of the lyrics are a direct reference to the iconic Prince song "When Doves Cry", which was released in 1984. While the lyrics of the two songs are different, the themes of love, loss, and frustration are similar.
Line by Line Meaning
Dig if you will the picture
Imagine with me the scene
Of you and I engaged in a kiss
Our romantic embrace
The sweat of your body covers G
Your perspiration enveloping me
Can you my darling
Can you picture this, my love?
Dream if you can a courtyard
Imagine a space filled with flowers
An ocean of violets in bloom
A sea of purple blossoms
A nigga like me strikes curious poses
I may seem unusual in this setting
They feel the heat
Others are aware of our passion
The heat between me and you
The fiery love between us
How can you just leave me standing?
Why would you abandon me?
Alone in a world that's so cold?
Feeling isolated in such a harsh world
Maybe I'm just too demanding
Perhaps my expectations are too high
Maybe I'm just like my father, too bold
Maybe I inherited my father's fearless nature
Maybe I'm just like my mother
Maybe I am like my mother
She's never satisfied (She's never satisfied)
My mother is never content
Why do we scream at each other
Why do our disagreements turn into yelling matches?
This is what it sounds like
This is how it feels
When doves cry
When love falls apart
Touch if you will my stomach
Feel the emotions in my gut
Feel how it trembles inside
Experience the fear and excitement within me
Now you've got the butterflies all tied up
You have me feeling nervous and apprehensive
Don't make me chase
Don't make me have to work hard to win you
Even doves have pride
Even the most peaceful creatures have their dignity
Maybe I'm just too demanding (Maybe, maybe I'm like my father)
Perhaps my high expectations are inherited from my father
This is what it sounds like
This is how it feels
When doves cry
When love falls apart
Alone in world that's so cold
Feeling isolated in a harsh world
She's never satisfied (She's never, never satisfied)
My mother is always wanting more
Why do we scream at each other (Why do we scream, why)
Why do our disagreements turn into yelling matches?
This is what it sounds like
This is how it feels
When doves cry
When love falls apart
Maybe I'm just like my mother (Maybe I'm just like my mother)
Perhaps I inherited my mother's attitude
Why do we scream at each other (Why do we scream at each other)
Why do our disagreements turn into yelling matches?
This is what it sounds like
This is how it feels
When doves cry
When love falls apart
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PRINCE ROGERS NELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind