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.
Life Can Be So Beautiful
Richard Ashcroft Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh-ooh, my my my my (alarm is gone)
I'm tripping in my mind (I'm tripping in my mind)
She's telling me things I know not baby (I never love these words)
I'm a loving guy (I'm a loving guy)
Picking it up right now (I'm picking my life up)
I'm on a winning streak (it's a winning streak)
I'm taking my chips right now, now honey (I'm a taking my chips)
I take you where you wanna go (any, any, any anywhere)
Anywhere you want (anywhere you want)
The world is ours, it is my oyster (so beautiful)
Anywhere you want (come on with me)
Anywhere you wanna go (new horizons)
New horizons
She got me speaking in tongues (she got me speaking in tongues)
She got me talking in a different language
She got me speaking in tongues (ah ah)
She got me speaking a different language (already know)
She got me speaking in tongues (soul)
She got me speaking a different language (soul)
Got me speaking in tongues (higher higher)
She got me speaking a different language
Life (life) life can be so beautiful
Life (life) life can be so wonderful
Life (life) life can be so beautiful
Life (life) life can be so wonderful
Yeah
Yeah
We're just selfish genes (selfish genes)
Selfish dreams
My selfish dreams (yes I was mean)
My selfish dreams (it's all about me)
I wanna trip all night (I wanna trip all night)
I wanna get your body right next to me now (yes you)
I wanna make it right (yes it's you)
I want it real real slow, will I make it through now?
I wanna trip all night (I wanna trip all night)
I wanna hold you close and get it down now
I wanna make it right (the queen)
'Cause I know that we're free (I'm begging you)
Lord, give me grace
I know that we're free (I know we were free)
Please, let my soul free, oh give my soul grace
Innocent grace, hm hm
Babe you got what I want, you're telling me oh don't ever stop now
Right through the clock, one and two will never stop now
Baby you got what I want, we're moving in time, we're coming together
This is the life, the life I live (the life I live, the life I live)
This is the life, the life I live (I'm wanting to give)
This is the life, the life I live (and what would you give?)
(What would you give?)
(What would I give?)
Hm-my-my-my-my-my-my-my-my my baby, baby
She got me going round and round in circles â?? circles
Oh the woman is my mirror (yes she is)
She's showing me all the things I've gotta change (gotta change)
Before I reach the gnosis
The point where everything is divine (so divine)
Yeah The United Nations of Sound (one more)
The United Nations of Love (baby make it, we can still make it)
The United Nations of Peace (shall we make it, we still make it)
I'm feeling free, I'm feeling free
(we can make it, just to make it, yeah)
(to make it, we can make it)
I do this for free, (we can make it, we can do it)
I do this for free, (I can do, we can do, we can do this)
I do this for free (yeah we can do it, we can make it)
The lyrics of Richard Ashcroft's song Life Can Be So Beautiful revolve around the theme of freedom, self-discovery, and the joys of life. The song is all about living in the moment, understanding oneself, and realizing that life is beautiful and one should cherish every moment of it.
The opening lines "Ooh-ooh, my my my my (alarm is gone babe)" seem to convey that the singer has shed all his fears and worries and is ready to take on the world. He is optimistic and confident, as is evident from the lyrics "I'm picking my life up, It's a winning streak, I'm taking my chips right now, now honey, Come on with me." He is asking his lover to come along with him on this journey and promising to take her anywhere she wants to go.
The chorus of the song "Life (life) life can be so beautiful, Life (life) life can be so wonderful" emphasizes the sentiment that life is worth living and should be enjoyed to its fullest. The lyrics "The United Nations of Sound, The United Nations of Love, The United Nations of Peace" seem to suggest that the world can be united in peace and love if we are willing to work towards it.
Overall, the song is a celebration of life and love and encourages the listener to seize the day and live life to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh-ooh, my my my my (alarm is gone babe)
I am relieved that I do not need an alarm to wake up anymore.
I'm tripping in my mind (I'm tripping in my mind)
I am in a state of mental ecstasy.
She's telling me things I know not baby (I never love these words)
I am not familiar with the words she speaks.
I'm a loving guy (I'm a loving guy)
I am a person who loves unconditionally.
Picking it up right now (I'm picking my life up)
I am improving my life right now.
I'm on a winning streak (it's a winning streak)
I am consistently succeeding right now.
I'm taking my chips right now, now honey (I'm a taking my chips)
I am taking control of my life situation.
Come on with me (come on)
Accompany me to new experiences.
I take you where you wanna go (any, any, any anywhere)
I will take you to any destination you desire.
Anywhere you want (anywhere you want)
You have the freedom to choose your path.
The world is ours, it is my oyster (so beautiful)
The possibilities are endless and wonderful.
New horizons
New and exciting opportunities are on the horizon.
She got me speaking in tongues (she got me speaking in tongues)
She has me speaking in a language that I am not accustomed to.
She got me talking in a different language
I am speaking a language that I never learned before.
Got me speaking in tongues (higher higher)
I am speaking at a higher level of consciousness.
Life (life) life can be so beautiful
The experience of life can be amazingly lovely.
Life (life) life can be so wonderful
The experience of life can be incredibly fantastic.
We're just selfish genes (selfish genes)
We are biologically programmed to be self-centered.
My selfish dreams (yes I was mean)
I had dreams that were focused only on myself, and it was wrong.
I wanna trip all night (I wanna trip all night)
I want to experience life in its fullest form.
I wanna get your body right next to me now (yes you)
I want to be intimately close to you right now.
I wanna make it right (yes it's you)
I want to create a relationship that is fulfilling with you.
I want it real real slow, will I make it through now?
I want to take things slow and see if our connection is long-lasting.
I wanna hold you close and get it down now
I want to embrace you and experience the physical aspects of our relationship.
I know that we're free (I know we were free)
I understand that we have the power to make our own choices.
Lord, give me grace
God, give me the strength to navigate life's challenges.
Oh the woman is my mirror (yes she is)
My partner reflects back to me the parts of myself that I need to change.
She's showing me all the things I've gotta change (gotta change)
My partner is highlighting the aspects of myself that I need to work on.
Before I reach the gnosis
Before I reach a deeper understanding of myself and my purpose in life.
This is the life, the life I live (the life I live, the life I live)
This is the life that I am living with all of its complexities.
I'm wanting to give
I have a desire to contribute to the greater good.
Hm-my-my-my-my-my-my-my-my my baby, baby
Expressing love and affection for my partner.
We're moving in time, we're coming together
We are aligned and working together to create a successful relationship.
The United Nations of Sound (one more)
People of all cultures and nations can bond through music.
The United Nations of Love (baby make it, we can still make it)
Love can unite people from all over the world.
The United Nations of Peace (shall we make it, we still make it)
We can come together to create a peaceful world.
I'm feeling free, I'm feeling free
I feel liberated from past limitations and restrictions.
I do this for free, (we can make it, we can do it)
I do not seek personal gain, but rather I seek to improve the world for all people.
I can do, we can do, we can do this
I believe that we have the ability to create positive change in the world.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ERNEST DION WILSON, RICHARD PAUL ASHCROFT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind