Richard Hawley (born Richard Willis Hawley, 17 January 1967, Sheffield, Uni… Read Full Bio ↴Richard Hawley (born Richard Willis Hawley, 17 January 1967, Sheffield, United Kingdom) is a critically-acclaimed guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer. Hawley initially found success as a member of Britpop band Longpigs in the 1990's, and formerly Treebound Story. When a drug-filled torpor after an extensive tour of America brought the band to the brink of extinction in 1997, Hawley was asked to play with Pulp by his close friend and Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker. "They saved my life," Hawley later recalled, "I was going mental with drink and drugs." The subsequent world tour in support of Pulp's album This Is Hardcore left Hawley emotionally and physically drained on his return to his home city. During this time, he even considered leaving the music industry altogether.

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

Caned
Richard Hawley Lyrics

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To set the stage
To coin a phrase
You really are quite dumb

And so in brief
With great relief
I have to say I’m going

But I’m not paid enough
To be the one you want
And I’m not caned enough
To be the one you love

So don’t pretend
To comprehend
In your drunken haze

With that in mind
I think you’ll find
You’re just a little vague

But I’m not paid enough
To be the one you want

And I’m not caned enough
To be the one you love.

Overall Meaning

The song Caned by Richard Hawley is an emotional statement against a toxic relationship. The lyrics articulate the sense of frustration and disillusionment that the singer experiences when trying to escape the destructive cycle of their bond. The song begins with a sarcastic statement, as the singer sets the scene by thanking their partner for being "quite dumb". The use of irony is clear as the statement serves to underline that the singer is no longer willing to put up with their partner's behavior.

The singer is convinced of the need to leave and expresses that decision with a sense of relief. However, they acknowledge that it is not an easy situation, as they are not paid or caned enough to stay in a relationship that is characterized by emotional pain and abuse. The lyrics touch on the idea that sometimes people stay in relationships for financial stability or out of addiction, as in the case of substance abuse.

The chorus is the core of the message, with the singer making it clear that they are not willing to be someone's punching bag anymore. The lyrics are straightforward and frank, with the use of the word "cane" standing out as a metaphor for the addiction that is at the core of many toxic relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

To set the stage
To start this conversation

To coin a phrase
Using a well-known expression

You really are quite dumb
You are not very smart

And so in brief
In short

With great relief
Feeling free and happy

I have to say I’m going
I'm leaving

But I’m not paid enough
I don't earn enough money

To be the one you want
To give you what you desire

And I’m not caned enough
I'm not drunk enough

To be the one you love
To be loved by you

So don’t pretend
Do not fake