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
Doors
Richard Hawley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't see your face no more
Love is so hard to find
And even harder to define
Oh, open up your door
Cos we've time to give
And I'm feeling it so much more
Open up your door
Open up the door
I can't hear your voice no more
I just want to make you smile
Maybe stay with you awhile
Oh, open up your door
Cos we've time to give
And my feelings aren't so obscure
Open up the door
Open up your door
So open up the door
Cos we've time to give
And I'm feeling it so much more
Open up your door
Oh, open up your door
Love is so hard to find
And even harder to define
Oh, open up your door
And I've never been so sure
Oh, open up your door
Open up your door
The lyrics to Richard Hawley's song Open Up Your Door are about the search for love and companionship. The singer of the song is trying to reach out to someone who has closed themselves off, urging them to open up and let love in. The repeated phrase "open up your door" is both a literal and metaphorical request. The singer can't see or hear the person they are addressing, and it's unclear whether they are physically standing outside a door or if this is a figurative plea for emotional vulnerability.
The verses of the song express the difficulty of finding love and the frustration of not being able to connect with someone. The chorus provides a hopeful counterpoint, encouraging the listener to take a chance on love and let the singer in. The repeated phrase "cos we've time to give" suggests that the singer is willing to invest in a relationship and wants the other person to do the same. The final verse suggests that the singer has never been more sure about this connection and emphasizes the importance of opening up in order to find love.
Line by Line Meaning
Open up your door
Asks the person to open their door so he can see them again
I can't see your face no more
He can't see the person's face anymore, probably because they haven't met for a long time
Love is so hard to find
Love is difficult to find, a common experience for many people
And even harder to define
Love is difficult to define, as it means different things to different people
Cos we've time to give
They have the time to spend together, implies both of them should use the opportunity
And I'm feeling it so much more
He is feeling more strongly about the time they can spend together
I can't hear your voice no more
He hasn't heard the person's voice in a while
I just want to make you smile
He wants to make the person happy by making them smile
Maybe stay with you awhile
He wants to spend some time with the person, maybe even stay with them for a while
And my feelings aren't so obscure
His feelings are becoming more clear and obvious, he doesn't want to hide them anymore
And I've never been so sure
He has never been so sure about his feelings for her, he is confident
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RICHARD WILLIS HAWLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Matthew Jose-Williams
Here it comes
So say goodbye
To all you've known
Throughout your life cause
You opened up your mind's front door
You've opened up your mind's front door
You took a pill
To make you more
But has it worked
The way you thought of
You opened up your mind's front door
You've opened up your mind's front door
For sure
You've opened up your mind's front door
You've opened up your mind's front door
You've opened up your mind's front door
What for
What did you go and do that for
You've opened up your mind's front door
Tom 4V
One of the great English songwriters of the last 20 years. Just never stop recording Richard :)
Cole Fortier
This is hands down my favorite song on the album. Great album!!!
jay dickey
Hard to choose....
Alex98765
Agree!
angel bravo
Mi canción favorita de este mes, cuando esta nublado y con niebla me la pongo a todo volumen , así siento como en Sheffield. joya britanica ! 🎸🇬🇧
Rita Coppola
Please , make music until the end of time..forever!!!your music is life!
nerdtronic5000
HERE HERE!
Martin Powell
Rita, I’m a progressive rock fan but this guy is tremendous- with a fabulous voice, you have to appreciate good music - whatever you’re personal preference
John Hughes
Richard your music is something to behold! I saw you on the Ladys Bridge tour in Buxton! One of the best live gigs ive had the pleasure to attend! You are a genius!
David Flett
This is great stuff, Thank you Richard.