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.
Are You Ready
Richard Ashcroft Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh oh yeah
Ooh oh yeah
Are you ready?
Ooh, are you ready for the day?
He's gonna come back down to earth
I hope you're gonna pray
Mm, as we beam him right up
He's got a little place for me
In his loving cup
Are you ready?
Ooh, ready to see
I'm out here in Babylon
Come out here with me
Are you ready?
Ah, are you ready?
Ah, are you ready?
Are you ready?
Are you ready?
Are you ready?
Ah, are you ready?
Ah, are you ready?
Are you ready?
Are you ready?
Please, I'm ready
'Cause I've lived a life of sin
And I heard that us sinners
Have got a chance with Him
Suicidal, ooh yeah
Deep inside my soul
I've been praying there's somewhere else
For me to go
Come on people
Ooh, don't you hear my pain
I'm out here in Babylon
Waiting for the day
Are you ready?
Ah, I'm ready
Ah, I'm ready
Yes I'm ready
Yes I'm ready
Ah, I'm ready
Ooh yes, I'm ready
Ooh I'm ready
Yes I'm ready
Yes I'm ready
Yes I'm ready
Ah, I'll paint the town with blood
I've been losing so damn much
Since I'm feeling love with people
Ah yeah, the whole damn human race
I wanna put you in my arms
And give you a love embrace
I'm ready
Oh, I ain't no freedom train
Cos where we are heading
Yeah, there is no thing as pain
Yes I'm ready
Ooh I've had a season in hell
I'm getting pretty tired down here
Oh, please break the spell
Ah Jesus, sweet Jesus can't you hear?
Please don't leave us all alone
Living here with fear
I'm ready
Yes I'm ready
I'm ready
Yes I'm ready
Yes I'm ready
I'm ready
Yes I'm ready
Yes I'm ready
Yes I'm ready
Yes I'm ready
Richard Ashcroft's song "Are You Ready" is a thoughtful and introspective song about being ready for the second coming of Christ. The song starts with the question, "Are you ready?" and Ashcroft asserts that it's time to get ready for that day. The chorus repeats this question with a significant amount of urgency, making it clear that the time is now to get prepared. Ashcroft encourages the listener to pray and be with them in anticipation of Christ's return.
Ashcroft also addresses his own sinfulness, admitting that he's lived a life of sin and is hoping that he and other sinners will have a second chance with Christ. He sings about feeling suicidal and wishing for a place to go other than hell. The song takes a turn towards the end when Ashcroft suggests that he would be willing to paint the town with blood for the sake of love and peace. He acknowledges the struggles and hardships in life, but reminds the listener that there is hope and redemption waiting.
Overall, "Are You Ready" is a reflective and poetic song with powerful messages about faith, redemption, and hope. Ashcroft's delivery is soulful and emotional, capturing the urgency and longing of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh oh yeah
Excitement and anticipation for what's to come.
Are you ready? Ooh, are you ready for the day?
Asking if the listener is ready for the Second Coming.
He's gonna come back down to earth
Referring to the return of Jesus to earth.
I hope you're gonna pray
Urging the listener to pray for salvation.
That you're with us
Inviting the listener to join the faithful.
Mm, as we beam him right up
Referring to the Rapture or the taking up of the saved.
He's got a little place for me in his loving cup
Belief in a place in heaven for the faithful.
Ready to see, I'm out here in Babylon, Come out here with me
Inviting the listener to come join in the faith and to leave their worldly troubles behind.
Please, I'm ready. 'Cause I've lived a life of sin
Admitting to past mistakes and expressing readiness to move on.
And I heard that us sinners have got a chance with Him
Believing in the possibility of redemption for sinners.
Suicidal, ooh yeah
Possibly expressing feelings of despair or hopelessness.
Deep inside my soul, I've been praying there's somewhere else for me to go
Seeking hope and assurance of a better place than here on earth.
Come on people, Ooh, don't you hear my pain
Appealing to the listener to empathize with the artist's struggles.
Waiting for the day, Are you ready? Ah, I'm ready, Ah, I'm ready, Yes I'm ready, Yes I'm ready
Expressing readiness for the Second Coming and for salvation.
Ah, I'll paint the town with blood
Possibly referring to a violent event or expressing intense emotion.
Since I'm feeling love with people
Experiencing a strong sense of community and love for others.
The whole damn human race, I wanna put you in my arms, And give you a love embrace
Expressing a desire for unity and togetherness.
I'm ready
Reiterating readiness for the Second Coming.
Oh, I ain't no freedom train
Possibly suggesting feelings of being trapped or controlled by circumstances.
Cause where we are heading, Yeah, there is no thing as pain
Believing in the idealized state of the afterlife.
Ooh I've had a season in hell, I'm getting pretty tired down here, Oh, please break the spell
Expressing weariness with life on earth and desire for salvation.
Ah Jesus, sweet Jesus can't you hear?
Calling out to Jesus for help.
Please don't leave us all alone
Seeking reassurance and companionship from God/Jesus.
I'm ready, Yes I'm ready, I'm ready, Yes I'm ready, Yes I'm ready, I'm ready, Yes I'm ready, Yes I'm ready, Yes I'm ready
Reiterating readiness for salvation and the coming apocalypse.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RICHARD PAUL ASHCROFT, MAURICE ERNEST GIBB, ERNEST DION WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@andersonmorales115
Ooh oh yeah
Ooh oh yeah
Ooh oh yeah
Are you ready?
Ooh, are you ready for the day?
He's gonna come back down to earth
I hope you're gonna pray
That you're with us
Mm, as we beam him right up
He's got a little place for me
In his loving cup
Are you ready?
Ooh, ready to see
I'm out here in Babylon
Come out here with me
Are you ready?
Ah, are you ready?
Ah, are you ready?
Are you ready?
Are you ready?
Are you ready?
Ah, are you ready?
Ah, are you ready?
Are you ready?
Are you ready?
Please, I'm ready
'Cause I've lived a life of sin
And I heard that us sinners
Have got a chance with Him
Suicidal, ooh yeah
Deep inside my soul
I've been praying there's somewhere else
For me to go
Come on people
Ooh, don't you hear my pain
I'm out here in Babylon
Waiting for the day
Are you ready?
Ah, I'm ready
Ah, I'm ready
Yes I'm ready
Yes I'm ready
Ah, I'm ready
Ooh yes, I'm ready
Ooh I'm ready
Yes I'm ready
Yes I'm ready
Yes I'm ready
Ah, I'll paint the town with blood
I've been losing so damn much
Since I'm feeling love with people
Ah yeah, the whole damn human race
I wanna put you in my arms
And give you a love embrace
I'm ready
Oh, I ain't no freedom train
Cos where we are heading
Yeah, there is no thing as pain
Yes I'm ready
Ooh I've had a season in hell
I'm getting pretty tired down here
Oh, please break the spell
Ah Jesus, sweet Jesus can't you hear?
Please don't leave us all alone
Living here with fear
I'm ready
Yes I'm ready
I'm ready
Yes I'm ready
Yes I'm ready
I'm ready
Yes I'm ready
Yes I'm ready
Yes I'm ready
Yes I'm ready
@ravegamingchannel6963
I was looking for this song for a decade...
@TameTom
This song is such a hidden gem and I love it
@marthakibler4743
Wow! I've been listening to other Christian Contemporary artists for years, thrilled to see that Richard came out!
@Now7518
Me too never on you!!!❤
@Now7518
me too! I never knew!!!❤
@ashylover69
im Muslim and i love this song and i will always support and love richard ❤️
@akashsingh761
I am Richard Ashcroft and i am not muslin
@ashylover69
@@akashsingh761 ur not him , and I know he’s not Muslim
@ashylover69
And I respect him ❤️
@akashsingh761
@@ashylover69 Allah don't permit muslims to like non muslims