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.
World Keeps Turning
Richard Ashcroft Lyrics
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I'm driving so fast, the trees disappear around me
Everything I know, or have known before
Is here in my mind, I think you know the score
The world keeps turning, everybody's learning
Keep ahead of the race it's the human despair
On my blocks every night trying to figure out what's wrong & right
But the tears will flow, just the like the blood on the streets yeah
It's been too long since we sat down here & talked
It's been too long, you know we separated
It's been so long I wish that I could build a bridge
It's been so long, how can I see through it?
The world keeps turning, everybody's learning
Keep ahead of the race, I've money to spend
And time to lend on my friends
Everything right in my life again
Oh babe, don't you take it away & give me days that were black & gray
And all the corners of my mind turned, entwined into another guy
Oh hit, a hypocrite, yeah that's it. I turned my words, they twirl & combine
They mix in your head, and make you think that I'm singing right to you
It's ok, if you want, I'll give you the time, the money to run
You could be the president, if you get that far then give me some help
The opening verses of World Keeps Turning by Richard Ashcroft express a sense of distance and disconnection. The singer is driving quickly, as if trying to escape from something unpleasant or unresolved. Yet, despite the physical distance, everything that they have ever known remains present in their mind. This suggests that the true source of their discontent lies within themselves rather than in external circumstances.
The chorus repeats the idea that the world keeps turning, and that everyone must keep up with the race in order to avoid despair. The singer acknowledges that they too have been caught up in the frantic pursuit of success, but they express a desire to connect with others and build bridges that can help them see through the emptiness of their pursuits. The final verse suggests that the singer is aware of their own shortcomings and hypocritical tendencies, but they are willing to offer their resources and support to others in order to make a positive difference.
Line by Line Meaning
It's been a long time since I've been around here
It's been a while since I've been in this place.
I'm driving so fast, the trees disappear around me
I'm driving really fast, and the trees pass by me in a blur.
Everything I know, or have known before
All the things I'm familiar with, and have experienced previously.
Is here in my mind, I think you know the score
All of these things exist in my mind, and you probably understand what I'm talking about.
The world keeps turning, everybody's learning
Life goes on, and people are constantly learning new things.
Keep ahead of the race it's the human despair
Stay ahead of the game, it's a depressing state of being human.
On my blocks every night trying to figure out what's wrong & right
Every night, I contemplate and try to determine what is right and wrong.
Oh, just as psychedelic thing, I'll bring you love, anything
I can provide you with a psychedelic experience, and give you love and anything you need.
But the tears will flow, just like the blood on the streets yeah
But sadness will emerge, just like the blood that spills on the streets.
It's been too long since we sat down here & talked
It's been too long since we had a conversation here.
It's been too long, you know we separated
It's been a while since we split up, and you're aware of that fact.
It's been so long I wish that I could build a bridge
It's been so long that I desire to build a bridge to connect us.
It's been so long, how can I see through it?
It's been so long that I'm unable to see through the distance between us.
Keep ahead of the race, I've money to spend
Stay ahead of the game, I have some money to spare.
And time to lend on my friends
I have extra time to spend with my friends.
Everything right in my life again
My life is on track and functioning properly once again.
Oh babe, don't you take it away & give me days that were black & gray
Don't take away the good things in my life and replace them with dark, depressing days.
And all the corners of my mind turned, entwined into another guy
All aspects of my mind are blended together and intertwined with another person.
Oh hit, a hypocrite, yeah that's it.
Oh, I see. I'm behaving like a hypocrite.
I turned my words, they twirl & combine
I twist my words, turning them into something new and different.
They mix in your head, and make you think that I'm singing right to you
The words blend together in your head, making it feel like I'm singing directly to you.
It's ok, if you want, I'll give you the time, the money to run
It's alright, if you want, I can provide you with the time and money needed to pursue your goals.
You could be the president, if you get that far then give me some help
You have the potential to become the president, and if you do, I hope you'll offer me some assistance.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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