The Thompsons recorded three albums I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight (1974), Hokey Pokey (1975) and Pour Down Like Silver (1975) before they decided to leave the music business and moved to a Sufi commune in East Anglia. Songwriting was by Richard throughout, lead vocals generally by Linda,and backing by a consistent core band of English folk-rock stalwarts
I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight showed a clear development from Richard Thompson's first solo effort Henry The Human Fly with Linda's vocals adding grace, as well as the opportunity for Richard to write from a female perspective. Although Thompson's trademark gloom is already evident, the lightness and beauty of the arrangements counterbalances this to produce moments of great beauty. The use of brass, from the renowned CWS silver band in particular takes forward Thompson's continuing crusade to find a more contemporary and ordinary expression of Englishness in music,(as opposed to say the forays into the Morris form of his Fairport contemporary Ashley Hutchings, solo and with The Albion Band). The next year's release, Hokey Pokey to some extent repeats the formula, although it is improved in production values, and is stylistically more adventurous still. A Heart Needs a Home is a minor miracle of songwriting, expressing the longing for love without cynicism and has a standout multi-tracked vocal from Linda.
Pour Down Like Silver extended the reach of Richard and Linda's music, and without the occasional weaker tracks of the preceding releases. Here in the writing cynicism is balanced with humour, (Hard Luck Stories, Streets of Paradise), and love and need is expressed directly, and to touching effect ( Jet Plane in a Rocking Chair, Beat the Retreat). The impact of Sufism on their lives is expressed in Night Comes In, which borrows imagery from Sufi mystic poetry, and the practice of finding union with the Spirit through dance. The playing, arrangements and production are uniformly excellent throughout.
In 1978, Thompson decided to take his family out of the commune and go back to their old home in Hampstead. He also decided to return to making music, partly because, as he commented at the time, he'd come to realise "that [he] wasn't really any good at anything else".
Re-uniting the core band, the resulting album, First Light was warmly received by the critics but did not sell particularly well. Neither did its follow up, 1979's harder-edged and more cynical Sunnyvista. Chrysalis Records did not take up their option to renew the contract, and the Thompsons found themselves without a contract, but not without admirers.
About a year later Joe Boyd signed the Thompsons to his small Hannibal label and a new album was recorded. Shoot Out the Lights included new recordings of many of the songs recorded in 1980, and was clearly a very strong album. Linda Thompson was pregnant during the sessions, and so the album's release was held back until the Thompsons could tour in support of the new album. Linda's pregnancy also meant that she did not sing on all of the songs.
On its release in 1982, Shoot Out the Lights was lauded by critics and sold fairly well - especially in the USA. The Thompsons, now a couple for professional purposes only, toured the USA to support the album and then went their separate ways. Both the album and their live shows were well received by the American media, and Shoot Out the Lights effectively relaunched their career - just as their marriage was falling apart.
As against the first phase of their career, this last offering is sparer, without the instrumental augmentation that characterized the earlier albums, much more rock orientated, and altogether more ferocious. Although Thompson in interviews has always resisted over-personal interpretations of his songs, it is difficult not to see in its energy, tone and themes the difficulties of the final stages of the Thompson's marriage, transmuted into musical gold.
Sweet Surrender
Richard & Linda Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh oh oh oh
I gave my heart to you
Oh oh oh with sweet surrender
Sweet surrender, oh sweet surrender
Allah, Allah, Allah
I'd give the world for you
I'd give the world for you
Oh oh oh with sweet surrender
Sweet surrender, oh sweet surrender
Allah, Allah, Allah
You make me weak, when you touch my hand
Oh I should run from here but I can't seem to stand
Oh I can't leave you, oh I believe you
And I believe you understand
I feel you next to me
Oh oh oh oh
I feel you next to me
Oh oh oh with sweet surrender
Sweet surrender, oh sweet surrender
Allah, Allah, Allah
Oh I can't leave you, oh I believe you
And I believe you understand
You make my heart beat
Oh oh oh oh
You make my heart beat
Oh oh oh with sweet surrender
Sweet surrender, oh sweet surrender
Allah, Allah, Allah
Sweet, sweet surrender
Sweet, sweet surrender
Sweet, sweet surrender
Sweet, sweet surrender
The song "Sweet Surrender" by Richard and Linda Thompson is a fervent love song about giving oneself completely to another person. The lyrics describe a deep desire to be with the person and a willingness to do anything for them, including giving up everything in the world. The repetition of "Allah, Allah, Allah" serves to emphasize the spiritual and emotional intensity of the love that is being expressed.
The chorus of "Sweet Surrender" is particularly powerful, with the words "sweet surrender" repeated three times in a row. This repetition creates a sense of abandonment, as if the singer is completely giving themselves over to the person they love. The line "you make me weak when you touch my hand" shows a vulnerability that comes with being in love, and the singer seems to be struggling with the idea of leaving their lover, unable to resist their passion and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
I gave my heart to you
I trusted and committed to you with all my being.
Oh oh oh oh
An expression of strong emotion and passion.
I'd give the world for you
I would sacrifice anything and do everything for you.
Oh oh oh with sweet surrender
I give everything I have willingly and without hesitation.
Sweet surrender, oh sweet surrender
I am devoted and submissive to you, giving myself completely.
Allah, Allah, Allah
An expression of earnest supplication or worship.
You make me weak, when you touch my hand
Your touch fills me with overpowering and irresistible sensation.
Oh I should run from here but I can't seem to stand
Although I recognize the risk and danger, I am unable to resist your allure.
Oh I can't leave you, oh I believe you
I cannot and do not want to break the bond and trust we share.
And I believe you understand
I have faith in your empathy and empathy for my vulnerabilities.
I feel you next to me
I sense your proximity and presence closely.
You make my heart beat
Your effect on me is palpable, profound and essential.
Sweet, sweet surrender
My submission to you is a source of joy and contentment.
Sweet, sweet surrender
I continue to be willingly and lovingly subordinate to you.
Sweet, sweet surrender
My submission to you is an expression of my love and devotion.
Sweet, sweet surrender
I surrender myself to you and entrust my heart in your care.
Contributed by Jacob I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jeff Schick
Blow down this House of Cards!
John Foster
Bought this in 84 and still listening, classic.
Patrick
Just one of the greatest albums ever. And they did a few good 'uns! Inexhaustibly brilliant.
Carl Rubin
I dunno— I just love it as it is. Loved it when it came out, sounds even better now to me. A beautifully realized album. House of Cards is a masterpiece, as is Pavanne imho.
Michael Mcdaid
First times I've heard this album and it's great. Thanks for uploading it.
Graham Exton
"Don't Let a Thief" and "Died for Love" are classics.
Fergus King
Thanks for posting- hadn't heard this in its entirety for years......"Pavanne" is chilling
Paul Ibeson
you should hear Graham Nash's cover!
Fergus King
Thanks for the notification, but I still prefer Linda’s vocal
Jenn Dobos
Awesome album.