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.
Paradise
Richard Ashcroft Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So full of love, so full of love
I feel you're taking me back
To all those feelings of yesterday
Dark and dusty tracks
How long can I stay here?
How long can I pray here?
You know we meet in another space
You turn around and I see your face
Oh what a fruit, what a tree you shall be
You'll be fed by the mountains, fed by the streams
(Set a sail) Set a sail for paradise (We'll leave in the morning)
(Set a sail) Set a sail to paradise (We'll leave in the morning)
I know when I'm losing control
I play I am the cosmos
And let the feelings roll
How long can I stay here?
How long can I pray here?
You know we meet in another place
You turn around and I see your face
Oh and what a fruit, what a tree you shall be
You'll be fed by the mountains, the crystal streams
Then we go for a walk
We hold hands and start to talk
Oh what a fruit, what a tree this love will be
You'll be fed by the mountains, fed by me
Set a sail for paradise (Leave in the morning)
Set a sail for paradise (Leave in the morning)
Set a sail for paradise
Leave in the morning
We can leave in the morning
Leave in the morning (Set a sail)
Leave in the morning
Leave in the morning (Set a sail)
In Richard Ashcroft's song Paradise, the lyrics explore feelings of love and nostalgia. The opening lines suggest a sense of déjà vu or recognition in the lyricist's current romantic interest. The imagery of "dark and dusty tracks" creates a dreamlike, wistful atmosphere in the song, further emphasized by the refrain of "how long can I stay here? how long can I pray here?" Almost as if the lyricist is unable to stay in the present moment out of fear that it will eventually slip away.
The second stanza introduces a metaphor of a tree being "fed by the mountains, fed by the streams," emphasizing the idea of nurturing and support. The chorus then urges the listener to "set a sail for paradise" and to leave in the morning, further emphasizing the idea of finding a new beginning or breaking free from current constraints.
The final stanza further emphasizes this idea of a fresh start, particularly through the act of going for a walk and holding hands. The final lines repeat the chorus, urging the listener to set a sail and leave for paradise, emphasizing the idea of leaving the past behind and embracing change.
Overall, the lyrics of Paradise emphasize notions of love, nostalgia, and the desire for a fresh start or new beginnings. The dreamlike imagery and repeated refrains create a sense of longing and restlessness, highlighting the idea of finding a new direction or sense of purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
You're just like I was
The singer believes that the listener is very similar to themselves
So full of love, so full of love
The singer thinks that the listener is very loving and passionate
I feel you're taking me back
The listener is making the singer recall past experiences and feelings
To all those feelings of yesterday
The listener is bringing back emotions from the past
Dark and dusty tracks
The past experiences being recalled are not necessarily positive, and may have been difficult to go through
How long can I stay here?
The singer is questioning how much longer they can keep holding on to these feelings and memories
How long can I pray here?
The singer is wondering how much longer they can keep hoping for a better outcome
You know we meet in another space
The artist and listener have a connection that goes beyond physical meeting places
You turn around and I see your face
The artist is struck by the listener's appearance every time they see them
Oh what a fruit, what a tree you shall be
The artist thinks that the listener has great potential for growth and success
You'll be fed by the mountains, fed by the streams
The listener will be nourished by natural elements and surroundings
Set a sail for paradise (We'll leave in the morning)
The artist thinks that they and the listener should set out on a journey to a better place or state of mind
I know when I'm losing control
The singer is aware of when they are struggling to keep themselves in check
I play I am the cosmos
The singer tries to regain a sense of control by imagining themselves as the universe
And let the feelings roll
The singer allows themselves to feel their emotions fully
Then we go for a walk
The artist and listener are spending time together in a relaxing and peaceful activity
We hold hands and start to talk
The artist and listener are physically and emotionally connected, and are engaging in conversation
Oh what a fruit, what a tree this love will be
The singer believes that their love for the listener will grow and flourish
You'll be fed by the mountains, fed by me
The singer will nourish and care for the listener
Leave in the morning (Set a sail)
The artist and listener will depart for their journey the next day
Leave in the morning
The artist and listener will depart for their journey the next day
Leave in the morning (Set a sail)
The artist and listener will depart for their journey the next day
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICHARD ASHCROFT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind