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.
Glory
Richard Ashcroft Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Glory Hallelujah, I think I'm coming through yeah
Out of the black, out of the blue
Out of the old into the new
Come on pick me up
Through the night you know you fill my cup
Bring me light love, you bring me luck
Yeah it sure feels good
(It's glory, hallelujah)
Now babe, don't get heavy with my soul
There's so much that I want you to know
I'm in Fellini's bar, I swear I couldn't get this lost
Oh now but my time has come
And this could be what I thought it should have been
You know you pick me up
Through the dark, you know you fill my cup
Bring me light, love, you bring me luck
Yeah it sure feels good
You bring me luck, yeah it sure feels good
(It's glory, hallelujah)
Glory Hallelujah, I think I'm coming through, yeah
Out of the black, out of the blue
Out of the old into the new
Come on pick me up
Through the night you know you fill my cup
Bring me light love, you bring me luck
Yeah it sure feels good
You bring me luck, yeah it sure feels good
(It's glory, hallelujah)
Yeah glory, glory
Yeah glory, glory
(It's glory, hallelujah)
In Richard Ashcroft's song "Glory," the singer seems to be expressing feelings of relief and gratitude for an escape from the darkness and the past. The song begins with a repetition of "It's glory" before going into "Glory Hallelujah," which is often associated with religious praise songs. This "glory" seems to represent a new beginning, a feeling of being reborn into a better life. The lyrics mention being "out of the black, out of the blue, out of the old into the new," and the feeling of being picked up and filled with light and luck.
Additionally, the lyrics seem to refer to a person who helps the singer through this transition, perhaps a romantic partner or friend, who "pick[s] me up / through the night, you know you fill my cup / bring me light, love, you bring me luck." However, the lyrics also suggest that the singer wants this person to know that they shouldn't burden him with heavy emotions, as he is in a place of newfound happiness and escape.
Overall, "Glory" seems to be a song about escaping from the past and finding a new beginning, with the help of someone who brings light and luck. It's a celebratory anthem for a fresh start.
Line by Line Meaning
Glory Hallelujah, I think I'm coming through yeah
I feel like I'm achieving greatness and success, and it feels amazing
Out of the black, out of the blue
I've emerged from a difficult or uncertain situation, and it's been surprising
Out of the old into the new
I'm leaving behind the past and embracing change and opportunity
Come on pick me up
Please help me continue on this path of success and happiness
Through the night you know you fill my cup
Even during difficult times, you bring me joy and fulfillment
Bring me light love, you bring me luck
Your love and support bring positivity and good fortune into my life
Yeah it sure feels good
This happiness and success is truly fulfilling
Now babe, don't get heavy with my soul
Please don't burden me with negativity or doubt
There's so much that I want you to know
I have a lot of thoughts and feelings that I want to share with you
I'm in Fellini's bar, I swear I couldn't get this lost
I'm in an unfamiliar or crazy situation, but I feel like I know my way through it
Oh now but my time has come
I feel like I'm finally reaching my potential and achieving my goals
And this could be what I thought it should have been
This success and happiness is what I've always imagined and wanted
Yeah glory, glory
I'm celebrating and enjoying this triumph
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Richard Paul Ashcroft
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind