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.
Simple Song
Richard Ashcroft Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't you know the truth, it's so very hard to find.
Tell me, does it feel good?
Tell me does it feel right?
I'm singing (singing),
I'm singing (singing),
I'm singing, singing a simple song.
Some things die, to stay alive.
The teares we cry, we'll drink them sometime.
Yeah, I'm happy to feel this way.
Don't know another way.
I'm happy to feel alright.
Oh, it's the only thing that gets me through the night.
I'm not scared, 'cos I know I will survive.
That's right
That's right
That's right
That's right
Mercy has its place, I know I've made mistakes.
Please open those arms, fill me with your grace.
Tell me, does it feel good?
Tell me does it feel right?
I'm singing (singing),
I'm singing (singing),
I'm singing, singing a simple song.
Some things die, to stay alive.
The teares we cry, we'll drink them sometime.
Yeah, I'm happy to feel this way.
Don't know another way.
I'm happy to feel alright.
Oh, it's the only thing that gets me through the night.
I'm not scared, 'cos I know I can survive.
That's right
That's right
That's right
Yeah, I'm happy to feel this way.
You know, I don't know another way (Yes I know I can survive).
Yeah, I'm happy to feel this way (Yes I know I can survive).
'Cos I don't know another way ('Cos I know I can survive).
Oh my my my my my my, c'mon (Yes I know I can survive).
Oh oh my my (Yeah I know I can survive).
(Yes I know I will survive).
Uh uh uh uh uh ah ah oh
Uh uh uh uh uh ah ah oh
Uh uh uh uh uh ah ah oh
In Richard Ashcroft's "Simple Song," the opening line is an acknowledgement of having an epiphany, symbolized by seeing the light. However, despite this enlightenment, the truth remains challenging to uncover. Ashcroft then asks whether the feeling of rightness brought about by this realization is good, deliberately juxtaposing our need for certainty and stability with the indeterminacy of truth. The chorus "I'm singing a simple song" could be interpreted in many ways, but one possibility is that Ashcroft has reached a stage where he's no longer needlessly complicating things.
Things die to maintain viability is a fundamental idea in this song, a paradoxical statement that speaks to life's complexity. Ashcroft clarifies by using tears as a metaphor, indicating that the act of crying and releasing emotion is critical for living. The rest of the lyrics offer a sense of hope as Ashcroft expresses contentment with feeling happy and being able to survive in his current state. He acknowledges past misdeeds and seeks forgiveness while still hoping to bask in the comforting embrace of divine mercy.
Line by Line Meaning
I opened up my eyes, swear I saw the light.
I gained awareness and saw the truth.
Don't you know the truth, it's so very hard to find.
The truth is elusive.
Tell me, does it feel good?
Are you happy?
Tell me does it feel right?
Are you doing the right things?
I'm singing (singing),
I'm singing (singing),
I'm singing, singing a simple song.
I'm expressing my feelings through music.
Some things die, to stay alive.
Sometimes things need to be sacrificed for survival.
The teares we cry, we'll drink them sometime.
Our pain will eventually become a part of us.
Yeah, I'm happy to feel this way.
Don't know another way.
I'm happy to feel alright.
I'm content with my current situation, even though there might be other ways.
Oh, it's the only thing that gets me through the night.
I'm not scared, 'cos I know I will survive.
My positive outlook is what gives me strength.
That's right
That's right
That's right
That's right
Affirming my beliefs.
Mercy has its place, I know I've made mistakes.
Please open those arms, fill me with your grace.
I desire mercy and forgiveness for my past errors.
Yeah, I'm happy to feel this way.
Don't know another way.
I'm happy to feel alright.
I'm content with my current situation, even though there might be other ways.
Oh, it's the only thing that gets me through the night.
I'm not scared, 'cos I know I can survive.
My positive outlook is what gives me strength.
Yeah, I'm happy to feel this way.
You know, I don't know another way (Yes I know I can survive).
Yeah, I'm happy to feel this way (Yes I know I can survive).
'Cos I don't know another way ('Cos I know I can survive).
I'm happy despite not knowing any other way, because I believe I can survive anything.
Oh my my my my my my, c'mon (Yes I know I can survive).
Oh oh my my (Yeah I know I can survive).
(Yes I know I will survive).
Reiterating my conviction that I can survive anything.
Uh uh uh uh uh ah ah oh
Uh uh uh uh uh ah ah oh
Uh uh uh uh uh ah ah oh
Expressing feelings through sound.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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