Born in Oxford, England, Lewis grew up in a family of teachers with two brothers, an older brother named Tom and a twin brother named George. His passion for music began at the age of 13 when he started playing the guitar. However, it was only later, after joining his brothers' band, that he began singing. Lewis attended Bartholomew School in Eynsham and also worked as a 'dinner lady' at Cokethorpe School. At the age of 19, he moved to London to study at the London Centre of Contemporary Music.
Lewis initially started writing songs and performing under the moniker Rhys Lewis & the Relics. His talent caught the attention of Decca Records, which led to the release of his debut solo single, "Waking Up Without You," in late 2016. Over the next year, he released several successful singles, including "Be Your Man" and "Reason to Hate You," gaining millions of streams. Lewis embarked on tours with James TW and JP Cooper during this time.
In 2018, Lewis released his major-label debut, the Bad Timing EP, which further solidified his growing fan base. The EP showcased his soul and blues influences, with his distinctive singing style and guitar skills shining through. Lewis continued to release a string of successful singles in 2019, setting the stage for his debut album, Things I Chose to Remember, which was released in July 2020. The album stands out as it was recorded on analogue tape, a deliberate choice by Lewis to ensure meticulous attention to detail and clarity in the music.
Lewis draws inspiration from artists such as Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys, whose lyrics resonated with him as a songwriter. He also cites influences from Led Zeppelin and Bill Withers, particularly the latter's song "Lean On Me."
His songwriting covers various aspects of his life, addressing topics such as the portrayal of men in the media, mental health, and personal relationships. Many of his songs revolve around themes of heartbreak, including "When Was The Last Time," "Be Your Man," and "Hurting." Lewis finds performing his song "No Right To Love You" particularly challenging due to its connection to a personal heartbreak, as it evokes intense emotions and memories associated with the breakup.
Bad Timing
Rhys Lewis Lyrics
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But I haven't seen you in forever
We steal a kiss, and you close the door
I guess we're alone in this together
'Cause life keeps getting between us
And it's all too heavy to keep up anymore
But there's no fighting bad timing
I wish we'd met each other five years later
'Cause I hate the way we're being torn apart
We stuck by it, we kept trying
But there's no fighting bad timing, bad timing
Well I miss the nights, we'd lie awake
Both throwing shadows at the ceiling
We needed days, me and you
To try to recreate the feeling
But life keeps getting between us
And it's all too heavy to keep up anymore
We stuck by it, we kept trying
But there's no fighting bad timing
I wish we'd met each other five years later
'Cause I hate the way we're being torn apart
We stuck by it, we kept trying
But there's no fighting bad timing, bad timing
Oh woah
Oh woah
Oh woah oh
Oh woah
Oh woah
Oh woah oh
I wish we'd met each other five years later
'Cause I hate the way we're being torn apart
We stuck by it, kept trying
But there's no fighting bad timing
It's just bad timing, bad timing
Bad timing, it's just bad timing
In Rhys Lewis's song "Bad Timing," the lyrics depict a bittersweet situation where two individuals are constantly missing each other due to the timing in their lives. The song explores the frustration and longing that arises from the difficulties of being in a relationship when circumstances keep pulling them apart.
The opening lines suggest a situation where one person is leaving just as the other is returning home. Their infrequent meetings are expressed with the line "But I haven't seen you in forever," emphasizing the longing and desire to spend more time together. Despite stealing a kiss, they are left alone to face the challenges of their relationship. The line "I guess we're alone in this together" captures the paradoxical sense of isolation even though they are supposedly in it together.
The chorus emphasizes the theme of bad timing and the impossibility of overcoming it. Although they try to stick by each other and fight against the odds, they realize that timing plays a significant role in their struggles. The repetition of "We stuck by it, we kept trying, but there's no fighting bad timing" reinforces the unavoidable nature of their situation. The singer expresses a wish that they had met each other five years later, highlighting the regret and bitterness towards the timing that is tearing them apart.
Line by Line Meaning
You're heading out, as I'm coming home
Our paths are crossing at the wrong time, with one of us leaving while the other is returning
But I haven't seen you in forever
It feels like an eternity since we last saw each other
We steal a kiss, and you close the door
We share a fleeting moment of intimacy before parting ways
I guess we're alone in this together
Although we are separated physically, we still share the same struggle and feelings
'Cause life keeps getting between us
Various circumstances and obstacles continuously come between us
And it's all too heavy to keep up anymore
The burden of trying to maintain our relationship has become overwhelming
We stuck by it, we kept trying
Despite the challenges, we remained committed and put effort into making it work
But there's no fighting bad timing
Unfortunately, we cannot overcome the unfavorable timing of our relationship
I wish we'd met each other five years later
I believe if we had encountered each other at a different point in time, things would be better
'Cause I hate the way we're being torn apart
The pain of being pulled away from each other is agonizing
Well I miss the nights, we'd lie awake
I long for the moments when we used to stay up together
Both throwing shadows at the ceiling
We would share our thoughts and fears, casting shadows of our worries
We needed days, me and you
We required more time together, just the two of us
To try to recreate the feeling
In order to recapture the same emotions we once had
Oh woah
Expressing a moment of sadness or frustration
It's just bad timing, bad timing
Our inability to be together is solely due to unfortunate timing
Bad timing, it's just bad timing
Reiterating that our circumstances are simply a result of bad timing
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Rhys Lewis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind