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.
How Deep Is Your Man
Richard Ashcroft Lyrics
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Tell me the beat, so I can sleep
All night long, all night long, all night long
Who is gonna cross the road for me
When I'm in trouble man? (I know)
I'm in trouble man (I know)
Who is gonna cross the road for me (who knows?)
I'm in trouble man
Yeah I like the way you look, let's go all night
This is my baby, make everything alright
And I can't sleep
The city's too clear
I wanna keep my focus, see it again
I wanna get my balance,
Yeah feel alright,
Pick up at night
All day, all night, twenty four seven
I ain't ever gonna stop
When I get this feeling I just wanna rock
Who is gonna cross the road for me
When I'm in trouble man? (I know)
I'm in trouble man (I know)
Who is gonna cross the road for me (who knows?)
When I'm in trouble man? (I know)
I'm in trouble man
How deep is your man?
How deep is your man?
How deep is your man?
Has he got elan - got the real elan?
Got the real style, Steve McQueen vibe?
I'll drive for miles
Who is gonna cross the road for me
When I'm in trouble man? (I know)
I'm in trouble man (I know)
Who is gonna cross the road for me (who knows?)
When I'm in trouble man? (in trouble)
I'm in trouble man
Who is gonna cross the road for me? (for me)
'cause I'm in trouble man,
Oh I'm in trouble man
Oh-oh, I'm in trouble man
Aah-aah yeah,
My-my-my-my
Take me down
The lyrics of Richard Ashcroft's song "How Deep Is Your Man" seem to deal with the impact of city life on people. The song opens with the artist having arrived in New York and finding solace in the beat of the city. He seems to feel that the city is always alive and never sleeps. However, he seems to be looking for someone who can help him in times of trouble, and he is not sure who that person is. He repeats the phrase "Who is gonna cross the road for me when I'm in trouble, man?" to express his desperation for help. He then asks "How deep is your man?" which seems to be a question aimed at women.
As the song progresses, he seems to find comfort in a mysterious woman who he describes as his "baby" who makes everything alright. Nevertheless, he notes that he still can't sleep due to the clarity of the city. In the chorus, he repeats the phrase "Who is gonna cross the road for me when I'm in trouble, man?" as if it's his only hope, and the phrase is a call for help. It seems like the city has him on edge, but he wants to keep his focus and balance.
The question "How deep is your man?" is central to the song, with the artist owing an explanation to women about what qualities they should look for in a man. The song seems to suggest that women want a deep and elegant man possessing the real style and Steve McQueen vibe. This is represented by the repeated phrase "Has he got elan - got the real elan?"
Overall, the song appears to be a call for help, a desperate plea for someone to help the singer navigate the pitfalls of city life while highlighting what women should look for in a man.
Line by Line Meaning
Came to New York, it's all I need
I came to New York because it's everything I need
Tell me the beat, so I can sleep
Give me the rhythm, so I can sleep peacefully
All night long, all night long, all night long
All through the night, every night, endlessly
Who is gonna cross the road for me
When I'm in trouble man? (I know)
I'm in trouble man (I know)
Who is gonna cross the road for me (who knows?)
When I'm in trouble man? (soul)
I'm in trouble man
In times of trouble, who will come to my rescue and help solve my problems?
Yeah I like the way you look, let's go all night
This is my baby, make everything alright
And I can't sleep
The city's too clear
I wanna keep my focus, see it again
I wanna get my balance,
Yeah feel alright,
Pick up at night
All day, all night, twenty four seven
I ain't ever gonna stop
When I get this feeling I just wanna rock
I want to stay up all night with you and forget all my worries, but the city is too bright, and I struggle to focus. I want to find balance and feel good again, no matter what time of day.
How deep is your man?
How deep is your man?
How deep is your man?
Has he got elan - got the real elan?
Got the real style, Steve McQueen vibe?
I'll drive for miles
What kind of man do you have? Does he have the real charisma and class of someone like Steve McQueen that you would drive for miles to be with?
Who is gonna cross the road for me
When I'm in trouble man? (I know)
I'm in trouble man (I know)
Who is gonna cross the road for me (who knows?)
When I'm in trouble man? (I know)
I'm in trouble man
Once again, who will come to my aid when I need help the most?
Who is gonna cross the road for me? (for me)
'cause I'm in trouble man,
Oh I'm in trouble man
Oh-oh, I'm in trouble man
Aah-aah yeah,
My-my-my-my
Take me down
Who will help me out of trouble when I am in deep, and everything seems to be falling apart around me?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ERNEST DION WILSON, JOHN LEE HOOKER, RICHARD ASHCROFT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind