After that band's demise in 1999, Ashcroft began his solo career, releasing Alone with Everybody in 2000, Human Conditions in 2002 and Keys to the World in 2006. He performed vocals for the track Lonely Soul on UNKLE's 1998 release Psyence Fiction and his voice can also be heard on the The Chemical Brothers' album Come With Us track The Test.
He is good friends with Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher and Coldplay's Chris Martin (whom Ashcroft thanks for 'letting me be myself again'), and occasionally plays as support at Oasis and Coldplay concerts, including the European and second UK legs of Coldplay's 'Twisted Logic Tour'. He recently described himself as 'the best support act you'll ever see'. The Oasis track "Cast No Shadow" is dedicated to him. Chris Martin introduced him as "the best singer in the world" when he performed "Bitter Sweet Symphony" (which Martin called "the best song in the world") with Coldplay at the London Live 8 concert in 2005. On his second album Human Conditions The Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson guest stars on the song Nature is the Law.
Ashcroft is married to Kate Radley, ex-Spiritualized keyboard player.
75 Degrees
Richard Ashcroft Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
nothing is buggin me
keep whisper tree*
my baby and me
75 degrees
the killer in me
rushin through my veins
takin away my pain
without me under me over me
i bite the hand that feed
i feed the hand that bite
everyone is strange
not everyones to blame
i cant wait for hell
to break the spell
it is here
in my feat to my toes above and down below
you know im afraid
you know im scared
and so are you and so is he and so is she
whats the point in tryna hide
give me a reason to breath
give me a reason to feel
i often wondered when it all went right
i often wondered when it all went right
i often wondered when it all went right
i often wondered when it all went right
The song "75 Degrees" by Richard Ashcroft seems to describe a moment of pure bliss and peacefulness. The first few lines set a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere as the singer sings about how nothing is bugging him at 75 degrees. He is in the company of his beloved and is surrounded by nature ("keep whisper tree"). However, the tranquility is juxtaposed with a darker tone when Richard sings "the killer in me, rushin through my veins, takin away my pain". It is unclear whether the singer refers to a physical killer or a metaphorical one, but it seems to be the main source of conflict in the song. There is an interesting use of contrasting pairs such as "over me under me within me, without me under me over me" that creates an atmosphere of confusion and disorientation.
The second half of the song is more introspective and contemplative. The singer admits to being afraid and scared, just like everyone else. The line "everyone is strange, not everyones to blame" implies a sense of empathy and understanding towards others. There is a sense of longing and desperation in the repeated lines "give me a reason to breathe, give me a reason to feel". The singer seems to be looking for a purpose or a direction in life. The last lines ("i often wondered when it all went right") suggests a feeling of nostalgia and a longing for a simpler time.
Line by Line Meaning
75 degrees
The temperature is 75 degrees.
nothing is buggin me
I am not bothered by anything.
keep whisper tree*
I am enjoying the peaceful sound of the trees rustling in the gentle breeze.
my baby and me
I am with my loved one, feeling happy and content.
the killer in me
I am struggling with something inside of me that has the potential to cause harm.
rushin through my veins
My emotions are intense and overwhelming.
takin away my pain
My intense emotions are momentarily relieving my emotional pain.
over me under me within me
My emotions are all-consuming and I feel their impact in every part of my being.
without me under me over me
I cannot escape my emotions, which are constantly with and around me.
i bite the hand that feed
I act against those who have helped or supported me in the past.
i feed the hand that bite
I give support to those who have hurt me in the past.
everyone is strange
I feel disconnected from the people around me.
not everyones to blame
I recognize that not everyone is responsible for my feelings and struggles.
i cant wait for hell
I am so consumed by my emotions and pain that I cannot fathom a worse place than where I am currently at.
to break the spell
I hope that something, some event or change, will help me break free from my current state.
it is here
My current state of struggling, pain, and intense emotions are present and all-encompassing.
in my feat to my toes above and down below
My struggle impacts every part of me - physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.
you know im afraid
I am scared.
you know im scared
I am afraid.
and so are you and so is he and so is she
Others around me are also struggling with their own fears and anxieties.
whats the point in tryna hide
There is no point in pretending that everything is okay and hiding how I truly feel.
give me a reason to breath
I am hoping for something to motivate me to keep going and not give up.
give me a reason to feel
I want to experience something that will make me feel alive and happy.
i often wondered when it all went right
I sometimes reflect on when my life felt better and more positive.
i often wondered when it all went right
I sometimes reflect on when my life felt better and more positive.
i often wondered when it all went right
I sometimes reflect on when my life felt better and more positive.
Contributed by Arianna N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Julia Halligan
Love this, pure class. A true genius!
VilleGardianese
brings back memories when I was 18 years old...this was my favorite song from album...always b-side:))
CoRnHoLiO
+VilleGardian Mine too ;) ..played this song a lot.
Peaceful Hooligan
How old are you now ?
VilleGardianese
30 yo and still love it ❤
Danilo Distefanis
@VilleGardianese Now you’re 34 :-)
Doomerius
So what's your birthday?
Deja1977
such a good chill out tune
scottybrd
Love this, thank you for the upload.
R3DEY3
One of his best. imo.