It was an encounter at Hawley's Sheffield home that led the longtime collaborator out of the shadows. Impressed by a home demo of his songs, both Pulp's Jarvis Cocker and Steve Mackey urged Hawley to head into the studio and begin work on his first solo release. 2000's eponymous mini album encouraged Hawley to return to the studio once more. In 2001 Late Night Final, named after the cry of vendors selling the Sheffield Star evening newspaper on the streets of the city, was released to positive reviews from the press, if unspectacular sales. Two years later Hawley released Lowedges, another Sheffield reference, this time to the curiously named suburb of the city that had so entranced the young Hawley when he had seen it on the destination board of a bus. NME called Lowedges the "first great album of 2003" and it topped an end of year poll held by Virgin Radio.
In 2004 Hawley signed to Mute Records, a division of the giant EMI. Legal wrangling delayed Cole's Corner, Hawley's fourth release, until September 2005. Again Hawley mines the theme of his beloved home city, this time referencing the location where courting lovers meet. Cole's Corner eventually gained a nomination for the acclaimed Mercury Prize in 2006.
Hawley's work as a session musician and producer remains in high demand. After contributing towards her eponymous 2004 release, Hawley also supported Nancy Sinatra on her European tour in 2005. In the past, Hawley has also worked with artists as diverse as New York's A Girl Called Eddy, All Saints (he played the guitar solo on their cover of "Under the Bridge"), Nellee Hooper's soundtrack for Baz Luhrmann's Romeo and Juliet and with Jarvis Cocker's Relaxed Muscle project.
Aside from his solo and session work, Hawley occasionally tours with The Feral Cats, a side project that enables him to explore his interest in rockabilly music.
Possibly due to his aforementioned rockabilly interest, Hawley once auditioned for the role as guitarist in the rockabilly-inclined Morrissey's band.
Fiercely proud of his working class upbringing, Hawley recently described himself as "jurassic labour" in response to a question about the New Labour project. He lives in Sheffield, with his wife and children and is an avid Sheffield Wednesday supporter.
In 2007 Hawley released a new studio album, Lady's Bridge (the title refers to a bridge Hawley regulary crosses in his native Sheffield) again to much critical acclaim.
Hawley's album Truelove's Gutter was released in September 2009 and followed that October by a UK nationwide tour. The album was nominated for, and won the Mojo record of the year.
Following the success of his award-winning, hugely acclaimed 2009 album 'Truelove's Gutter', Richard Hawley will release his sixth studio album, 'Standing At The Sky's Edge' - his first for new label Parlophone - on 7th May.
Recorded at Sheffield's Yellow Arch Studio in 2011, 'Standing At The Sky's Edge' marks a seismic shift in direction for Hawley. The album is a euphoric, sonic assault on the senses, channelling elements of psychedelia, space rock and ragas with heavy riffs and raw, visceral guitar solos - as well as more familiar, tender moments - which will surprise Hawley's fans and peers alike.
www.richardhawley.co.uk
Bang to Rights
Richard Hawley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
God I'm so tight, but my ass is fine
Be the one, to carry on
I'm half way there, as if you care
I linger here, in starlight fear
As if you care, as if you care.
There's only us, the friendly ones
I need it love, these heels they rub
Of all the times, to make you mine
So take the bait, I just can't wait
Cos we're bang to rights, it seems tonight
So on and on the lovers go
And in their arms is were I know
That all is safe in here tonight
And all the world is sure tonight
Sure tonight
Seems tonight
Oh it seems tonight
Here tonight
The lyrics to Richard Hawley's song "Bang to Rights" tell the story of a night out at a club where the singer is looking for love. The opening lines of "Bang to rights, it seems tonight" imply a sense of inevitability, as if the singer knows that they will find what they are looking for. The line "God I'm so tight, but my ass is fine" could be interpreted as a self-affirmation, as the singer tries to boost their own confidence.
The chorus is where the theme of the song truly comes to life. The singer pleads with someone to "be the one, to carry on." This line suggests that the singer is looking for someone to share a deeper connection with, a connection that goes beyond the surface-level attraction of the club scene. The line "I'm halfway there, as if you care" highlights a sense of detachment, as if the singer is unsure whether this deeper connection will ever be found. Despite their fear, the singer remains hopeful, lingering in the starlight and searching for the hope of something real.
The final verse of the song reveals a sense of comfort and safety as the singer finds themselves in the arms of another. "On and on the lovers go" implies that the night is endless, and that the singer is resigned to the fact that they have found what they were searching for. The closing line "all is safe in here tonight, and all the world is sure tonight" is a celebration of the moment, the feeling of being in the right place at the right time, and the possibility that the deeper connection the singer was searching for has been found.
Line by Line Meaning
Bang to rights, it seems tonight
Tonight I'm destined to get caught and face the consequences of whatever it is that I have done wrong.
God I'm so tight, but my ass is fine
I might be nervous or intoxicated, but I know I can handle whatever comes my way.
Be the one, to carry on
It's up to me to keep going, to continue living despite the difficulties I may face.
I'm half way there, as if you care
I'm making progress, but it seems like no one else is interested or invested in my journey.
I linger here, in starlight fear
I'm hesitant and anxious, unsure of what to do or where to go next in the midst of this shining, overwhelming situation.
As if you care, as if you care.
It feels like no one else is there for me, even if they claim to be supportive or concerned.
The night is on, the DJ's gone
The atmosphere is set for something exciting, but the person who sets the tone is no longer in control.
There's only us, the friendly ones
Despite the lack of outside influence, there is still a sense of camaraderie among those present.
I need it love, these heels they rub
I crave affection or attention, but the physical discomfort I feel detracts from my ability to fully enjoy it.
Of all the times, to make you mine
Despite the various obstacles in our way, now feels like the perfect moment to pursue a romantic connection.
So take the bait, I just can't wait
I'm willing to put myself out there and see if you're willing to reciprocate my feelings, because waiting any longer would be unbearable.
Cos we're bang to rights, it seems tonight
It feels like there's no getting away from whatever it is that we are guilty of or entangled in, because it's all coming to a head tonight.
So on and on the lovers go
Despite the risks and unknowns, people will always pursue love and connection endlessly.
And in their arms is were I know
There's a sense of security and certainty in the embrace of a loved one that can't be found elsewhere.
That all is safe in here tonight
Despite the chaos of the world outside, there is a sense of protection and shelter in this particular moment and space.
And all the world is sure tonight
Despite any doubts or uncertainties, there's a feeling of reassurance that everything will work out in the end.
Sure tonight
The present moment is filled with certainty and confidence.
Seems tonight
The way things appear or feel tonight might be deceptive or different than what is actually happening.
Oh it seems tonight
There's a sense of hesitation or uncertainty about the unfolding events.
Here tonight
This moment and space is where all of the action and emotions are taking place.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RICHARD WILLIS HAWLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind