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.
America
Richard Ashcroft Lyrics
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All this sex, pain, tears, joy, the universal language,
This is music, are you tuning in?
Are you tuning in?
I'm sharper than a Leica lens,
I have real grace, no money to spend
Spend, spend, spend, spend, spend spend, spend
I've been around the world I know there's music,
The united gnosis, oh gnosis, hypnosis
Oh in Tokyo, oh in London town, the same pain, same joy, same sound
Oh in London town, the same pain, same joy, same sound
America, America, I'm looking for you everywhere
Are you, the same pain, same joy, same sound?
America, America, I'm looking for you everywhere
Are you, the same pain, same joy, same sound?
For all the men who ever died trying to keep my soul alive
For all the sisters, all the saints who freed me from my chains
Music, music, now use it
Oh in Tokyo, oh, in London town,
The same pain, same joy, same sound
Oh in London town,the same pain, same joy, same sound
America, America, I'm looking for you everywhere
Are you, the same pain, same joy, same sound?
America, America, I'm looking for you everywhere
Are you, the same pain, same joy, same sound?
America, America, I'm looking for you everywhere
Are you, the same pain, same joy, same sound?
America, America, I'm looking for you everywhere
Are you, the same pain, same joy, same sound?
America, America, I'm looking for you everywhere
Are you, the same pain, same joy, same sound?
America, America, I'm looking for you everywhere
Are you, the same pain, same joy, same sound?
America, America, I'm looking for you everywhere
Are you, the same pain, same joy, same sound?
America, America, I'm looking for you everywhere
Are you, the same pain, same joy, same sound?
America, America, I'm looking for you everywhere
Are you, the same pain, same joy, same sound?
America, America, I'm looking for you everywhere
Are you, the same pain, same joy, same sound?
In Richard Ashcroft's song "America", the singer explores the universal language of music and its ability to transcend cultural boundaries. He describes the power of music to connect people across the globe, referencing Tokyo and London as examples of cities where the same pain, joy, and sound can be found. Ashcroft paints a picture of the wild west, a place of extremes where everything is amplified, including the emotions expressed through music. He compares himself to a sharp Leica lens, suggesting his ability to see the world with clarity and precision.
The chorus repeatedly asks if America is the same pain, same joy, same sound, emphasizing the search for a connection and a commonality between cultures. He acknowledges the sacrifices made by those who came before him to keep his soul alive and free him from his chains, paying homage to all the men who have died trying and the sisters and saints who aided in his liberation. Throughout the song, Ashcroft seems to be urging listeners to tune in, to engage with the world around them and to embrace the power of music to connect with others.
Line by Line Meaning
This is the wild west, yeah
The world is full of unpredictability and chaos, just like the American frontier.
All this sex, pain, tears, joy, the universal language,
Despite cultural and linguistic differences, emotions and experiences are what truly connect people from all corners of the globe.
This is music, are you tuning in?
Music is the ultimate expression of human connection and emotion, are you truly immersing yourself in it?
I'm sharper than a Leica lens,
I possess great insight and understanding of the world around me.
I have real grace, no money to spend
I possess a genuine elegance and poise, regardless of material wealth.
Spend, spend, spend, spend, spend spend, spend
Society values consumerism and materialism above all else, perpetuating an endless cycle of spending and accumulating things.
I've been around the world I know there's music,
Having traveled extensively, I've experienced firsthand the unifying power of music across all cultures and nations.
The united gnosis, oh gnosis, hypnosis
Humanity shares a collective knowledge and understanding, leading to a hypnotic sense of unity in the face of diversity.
Oh in Tokyo, oh in London town, the same pain, same joy, same sound
Despite physical and cultural differences, people across the world experience the same emotions and find solace in the same universal language of music.
America, America, I'm looking for you everywhere
Despite my travels, I still feel a pull to America and its unique place in the world.
For all the men who ever died trying to keep my soul alive
My existence is indebted to the sacrifices of those who came before me and fought to preserve the human spirit.
For all the sisters, all the saints who freed me from my chains
People throughout history, both known and unknown, have worked to alleviate the suffering and oppression of others, setting us free from our own chains.
Music, music, now use it
Music is not just for entertainment, but a powerful tool for connection, expression, and change.
America, America, I'm looking for you everywhere
My search for connection and meaning has led me to America as a symbolic representation of the human experience.
Are you, the same pain, same joy, same sound?
Does America share in the same universal language of emotions and experiences as the rest of the world?
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ERNEST WILSON, KEVIN LAMONT RANDOLPH, RICHARD PAUL ASHCROFT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind