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
Don't Stare At the Sun
Richard Hawley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On our way, to the fields where we will play today.
Louis brings his kite,
With a homemade paper-chain.
Strange to see the sight,
Of the moon, in the daytime not the night.
I will lift you up,
So high, on my shoulders to the sky.
Don't stare at the sun too long.
Don't stare at the sun too long.
Singing in the dark,
On our way home, the day is done for sleepy ones.
On the fire escape,
My telescope, that scans the evening sky.
If I could see it all,
All to be lost, in the galaxy of distant stars.
Did I see your face?
It weighs so much, to be alone tonight.
Ah
Don't stare at the sun too long.
Don't stare at the sun too long.
You scare everyone,
If you stare at the sun.
Don't stare at the sun too long.
Don't stare at the sun too long
The lyrics of Richard Hawley's song Don't Stare at the Sun describe a nostalgic scene of childhood innocence and wonder set against the backdrop of a bright summer day. Love is the driving force that propels the children forward towards the fields where they'll play. Louis brings his homemade kite with paper chains, while the moon makes a curious appearance in the daytime. The singer is so caught up in the moment that he offers to lift his little companion up onto his shoulders to reach for the sky.
However, in the chorus, the tone changes from one of wonder to one of caution. "Don't stare at the sun too long" warns the singer, and he repeats it multiple times for emphasis, and reminds us that staring at the sun for too long is not only bad for your eyes but can also scare those around you. The second half of the song takes on a more mellow tempo, with Hawley singing about a solo moment on the fire escape with his telescope, which he uses to scan the evening sky. The song ends with the singer pondering if he's seen a familiar face before questioning the unease of being alone.
In contrast to the brightness and light tones of the song, there is a sense of melancholy that runs through the lyrics with the omnipresent reminder to not stare at the sun too long. It seems to be a metaphor for how all good things come to end or that things that seem good may have hidden dangers. Overall, the song invites listeners to reflect on their own childhood innocence, exploration, and risk-taking while drawing attention to the importance of caution, and being mindful of the consequences of one's actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Love just drifts us on,
Love takes us through life without any specific direction or plan.
On our way, to the fields where we will play today.
We are currently heading toward a destination where we can enjoy ourselves.
Louis brings his kite,
Louis is carrying a kite he made.
With a homemade paper-chain.
The kite has a tail made of paper chains that were made at home.
Strange to see the sight,
It is unusual to witness the moon visible during the day instead of the night.
Of the moon, in the daytime not the night.
It is strange to see the moon during the day instead of the night.
I will lift you up,
I will pick you up.
So high, on my shoulders to the sky.
I will lift you so high that you will reach for the sky while standing on my shoulders.
Singing in the dark,
We are singing while it is dark outside.
On our way home, the day is done for sleepy ones.
We are heading home because the day is over and it is time for those who are tired to go to sleep.
On the fire escape,
We are currently on a fire escape.
My telescope, that scans the evening sky.
I have a telescope that is currently observing the nighttime sky.
If I could see it all,
If I could observe everything, without any restrictions.
All to be lost, in the galaxy of distant stars.
Everything could be forgotten in the vastness of the distant stars of the galaxy.
Did I see your face?
Am I seeing your face right now?
It weighs so much, to be alone tonight.
Tonight, being alone feels so heavy, and burdensome.
You scare everyone,
If you stare at the sun for a long time, it scares people.
If you stare at the sun.
Looking at the sun for too long can be dangerous for your eyesight.
Don't stare at the sun too long.
Avoid looking at the sun for too long.
Don't stare at the sun too long.
Again, always avoid looking at the sun for too long.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RICHARD WILLIS HAWLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
andrew james Bunting
Lyrics
Love just drifts us on,
On our way, to the fields where we will play today.
Louis brings his kite,
With a homemade paper-chain.
Strange to see the sight,
Of the moon, in the daytime not the night.
I will lift you up,
So high, on my shoulders to the sky.
Ah
Don't stare at the sun too long.
Don't stare at the sun too long.
Singing in the dark,
On our way home, the day is done for sleepy ones.
On the fire escape,
My telescope, that scans the evening sky.
If I could see it all,
All to be lost, in the galaxy of distant stars.
Did I see your face?
It weighs so much, to be alone tonight.
Ah
Don't stare at the sun too long.
Don't stare at the sun too long.
You scare everyone,
If you stare at the sun.
Don't stare at the sun too long.
Marc Joosen
Those lyrics, that sound, these guitars, that voice… As if you start drifting through universe, no words for it
Liam Kelly
Ha nerds
csopr
the max Absolutely Bang on.
Grietje Gertie
+the max - that's exactly how I feel hearing this song!!!! <3
CIRANNOSAURUS
I can’t help but get emotional listening to this song, only recently discovered mr hawley but wow the emotional ties this guy puts into his music is unmatched
Liam
Why has this song not got more views? Hawley is brilliant.
World of film archive
this is by far his best song...so underrated
Richard Hawley
"If I could see it all, oh to be lost in a galaxy of distant stars Did I see your face? It weighs so much to be alone tonight"
Mateusz Stępień
Man, I have discovered this after 9 years from its release and seriousy, it is one of the best songs I have ever heard. There is something in it that hits so damn deep, I don't really know why isn't/wasn't popular.
Paul Knoester
Lopend, fietsend, rijdend met de zon op mijn gezicht, komt dit nummer er automatisch. Wat een song.