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.
Lucky Man
Richard Ashcroft Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's like, it's like, come on then
It′s like, it′s like
It's like, come on then
Happiness
More or less
It′s just a change in me
Oh, my, my
Happiness
Coming and going
I watch you look at me
Watch my fever growing, I know
Just where I am
Well, how many corners do I have to turn?
How many times do I have to learn
All the love I have is in my mind?
But I'm a lucky man
With fire in my hands
Happiness
Something in my own place
I′m stood here naked, smiling
I feel no disgrace
With who I am
Happiness
Coming and going
I watch you look at me
Watch my fever growing, I know
Just who I am
Well, how many corners do I have to turn?
How many times do I have to learn
All the love I have is in my mind?
I hope you understand
I hope you understand
Oh, yeah
You know, you know, you know
You know, you know, you know
You know
I got a love that never dies
Oh, no
Happiness
More or less
It's just a change in me
Something in my liberty
Happiness
Coming and going
I watch you look at me
Watch my fever growing, I know
Oh, my, my
Oh, my, my
Oh, my, my, my, my, my
Oh, my, my, my, my, my
I got a love that never dies, oh, no
I gota love that never dies, oh, yeah
I′m a lucky man
Don't then you admire
'Cause I′m flying
Come on now
Oh, my, my
Oh, my, my
Oh, my, my, my, my, my
Oh, my, my, my, my, my
The song 'Lucky Man' by Richard Ashcroft is a feel-good track about simple happiness and acceptance of oneself. The first few lines of the song (It's like, it's like, come on then) sets the mood of the song, urging the listeners to join in on the happiness. The line "Happiness more or less, it's just a change in me, something in my liberty" means that the essence of happiness lies in the changes within oneself, and the realization that we are free to decide what makes us happy. The next line "Coming and going, I watch you look at me" means that happiness is fleeting and the singer realizes this as he observes his own moods go up and down.
The chorus in the song reflects on the notion of learning from past experiences and accepting oneself for who they are. The line "All the love I have is in my mind" represents that the love that we need and seek is already inside us, and we just need to learn how to harness it. The song goes on to suggest that happiness is based on one's own perspective, not on external circumstances. The singer seems at peace with who he is, as he exclaims "I'm a lucky man with fire in my hands" towards the end of the chorus.
Overall, the song suggests that happiness is attainable by embracing oneself and valuing the love and positivity that we already possess within us. It reinforces the idea that external validation or possessions are not the key to happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
It's like, it's like, it's like
Comparing the realization of true happiness to something intangible
It's like, it's like, come on then
Encouraging it to be experienced firsthand
Happiness
Mentioning the emotion of happiness
More or less
Acknowledging that happiness has varying forms and intensities
It's just a change in me
Realizing that happiness comes from within
Something in my liberty
Discovered something that set this person's mind and soul free
Oh, my, my
Realizing how lucky this person is to have found happiness
Coming and going
Recognizing the fleeting nature of happiness
I watch you look at me
Observing how others view this newfound contentment
Watch my fever growing, I know
Feeling a growing, intense happiness
Just where I am
Content with life's current situation
Well, how many corners do I have to turn?
Questioning life's hardships and what it takes to reach true happiness
How many times do I have to learn
Asking how much difficult experiences are required to learn this lesson
All the love I have is in my mind?
Wondering if the love they have for themselves is what created their happiness
But I'm a lucky man
Grateful for all the happiness they have found
With fire in my hands
Feeling empowered and inspired by this happiness
Something in my own place
Realizing blissful happiness comes from within their own surroundings
I'm stood here naked, smiling
Being truthful and open about the joy within themselves
I feel no disgrace
Happiness makes this person feel proud, not ashamed
Just who I am
Basking in the joy of being true to themselves
I hope you understand
Wishing others can come to know this type of happiness
Oh, yeah
An exclamation of your newfound outlook
You know, you know, you know
Urging others to pursue the quest for happiness
I got a love that never dies
This newfound happiness stays present with them always
Oh, no
Implying this is not a bad thing
Oh, my, my, my, my, my
Being overwhelmed by the emotion of happiness
I'm a lucky man
Feeling very grateful for this happiness
Don't then you admire
Don't be envious of their happiness
'Cause I'm flying
Metaphorically feeling on top of the world
Come on now
Inviting others to come to know this happiness as well
Writer(s): Richard Ashcroft
Contributed by Natalie M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jemmace2586
Absolute classic and favourite of mine by this guy, i remember bunking off (82--83) school to hear him play, just him and his accoustic. He'd play in the Liverpool lime Street underground underoad entrance, also st John's precinct and around the car parks.
I don't think he wanted attention though, i was just getting into music at the time and really wanted to play drum kit.
After my life taking a strange tour after joining the army being in that for six years, i finally got out, took up playing drums and meeting people, two lads especially who knew him and toured with him in supporting roles.
They asked if i could play with them in their band once, i was loyalty stupid to a band going nowhere, unbeknownst to me then...
I saw the man himself on dale street outside the rehearsal room i was practicing in at the time, i couldn't approach him, i don't know why? I love his music, to me he's a northern Roy Orbison, great vocals and great songs.
Always a go to for me, thanks Richard, seems I've tagged along for a long time, still enjoying your music.
JT.
@jackbaker2719
My great uncle died on the 3rd May this year, his funeral was yesterday, this was his favourite song from his favourite singer who was part of his favourite band, they played this and had loads of people in tears, Miss You Uncle Terry 🕊 R.I.P
@rubenblancojimenez8745
We are all happy humans listening to this masterpiece
@miranblazek5303
Even happier when you realise what's it all about, maybe not on purpose at the time it was made, but Richard gave us insight later
@christianramirez22222
Well said!
@Mick.y.
In my opinion, the best version is that of "Live on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with Sky".
@matthewwalker3983
This whole album is my life story fact,I don't know how but he knows I was coming,the universe told him😅❤❤😂❤❤😂😂xxx
@tonygallagher5945
Man of valor....thanks to all melodic songs...personally and with the verve....the story continue....
@Kiowa1776
I remember seeing him in London in 97……that CD never left my player for 20 years
@tonygallagher5945
Man of valor...thanks richard to all melodics songs,personally and with the verve...the history continue
@bez3042
Absolutely class......A proper Ledgend. When a song has you thinking of your loved ones....god bless Ashcroft. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️