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
Emilina Says
Richard Hawley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Emilina's got somebody else on her mind
And I came back too soon
Emilina's got somebody else in her room
It's the walk down that haunts
It's a place that's so cruel to all love it can't talk
And I come back to know
Emilina just wouldn't go
Would you court me if I call?
Would you catch me should I fall?
I imagined I'd find
Emilina with somebody taking her time
I turned 'round a fool
Emilina's got nobody up in her room
A thought that she called
An old ghost of a lover whose dust left the hall
There's nothing you own
When someone has to go
Would you catch me should I fall?
Can I court you if I call?
I would catch you if you fall
Emilina's got something way up in her mind
You'll end up thinking how you got so entwined
The lyrics to Richard Hawley's song "Emilina Says" tell a story of a narrator who returns to find Emilina, presumably a former lover, occupied with someone else. The singer reflects on their own premature return and the bitter realization that Emilina has moved on. There is a sense of longing and regret as the singer grapples with the haunting memories of their past relationship and the cruel nature of love that cannot be communicated. Despite their return, Emilina remains uninterested in rekindling their romance.
The lyrics then pose a question to Emilina, asking if she would pursue a relationship with the singer if they were to make an effort to reconnect. The singer wonders if Emilina would be there to catch them if they were to fall, both metaphorically and literally. This suggests a vulnerability and a desire for reassurance from Emilina.
The final verse suggests that Emilina has something occupying her thoughts, something that entangles others in a similar way. It leaves the listener wondering about Emilina's inner turmoil and the consequences of becoming entwined with her.
Overall, the lyrics of "Emilina Says" convey themes of longing, regret, and the complexities of romantic relationships. It explores the pain of realizing that someone you once loved has moved on, and the uncertainty of whether a second chance is possible.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I come back to find
Upon my return, I discover
Emilina's got somebody else on her mind
Emilina is preoccupied with another person
And I came back too soon
My arrival was premature
Emilina's got somebody else in her room
There is another individual present in Emilina's room
It's the walk down that haunts
The journey down this path is unsettling
It's a place that's so cruel to all love it can't talk
This location is harsh towards any unspoken affection
And I come back to know
By returning, I aim to understand
Emilina just wouldn't go
Emilina refuses to depart
Would you court me if I call?
If I were to reach out, would you pursue a romantic connection with me?
Would you catch me should I fall?
If I were to stumble, would you be there to support me?
I imagined I'd find
I envisioned discovering
Emilina with somebody taking her time
Emilina engaging in a slow-paced relationship with someone
I turned 'round a fool
I now realize I was mistaken
Emilina's got nobody up in her room
There is no one else in Emilina's room
A thought that she called
A memory she referred to
An old ghost of a lover whose dust left the hall
A past lover, now departed and forgotten
There's nothing you own
You possess nothing
When someone has to go
When a person must leave
Would you catch me should I fall?
If I were to stumble, would you be there to support me?
Can I court you if I call?
If I were to reach out, would you be open to a romantic connection?
I would catch you if you fall
I would support you if you were to stumble
Emilina's got something way up in her mind
Emilina is deeply engrossed in a matter
You'll end up thinking how you got so entwined
Eventually, you will contemplate how you became so tangled
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Richard Hawley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
JM DM
Well I come back to find
Emilina's got somebody else on her mind
And I came back too soon
Emilina's got somebody else in her room
It's the walk down that haunts
It's a place that's so cruel to all love it can't talk
And I come back to know
Emilina just wouldn't go
Would you court me if I call?
Would you catch me should I fall?
I imagined I'd find
Emilina with somebody taking her time
I turned round a fool
Emilina's got nobody up in her room
A thought that she called
An old ghost of a lover whose dust left the hall
There's nothing you own
When someone has to go
Would you catch me should I fall?
Can I court you if I call?
I would catch you if you fall
Emilina's got something way up in her mind
You'll end up thinking how you got so entwined
Romeo Porkka
My favourite artist of all time.
Charles Campbell
I'VE HAD A LOT OF FAVORITE ARTISTS OVER THE YEARS AND HE IS BECOMING MY FAVORITE ALSO.
João Manuel Veloso Bárbara
Congratulations, Richard, for this son of yours. You are without doubt, one of the best composer artists of the present time.
Thank you for existParabéns Richard por mais este teu filho. És sem dúvidas, um dos melhores artistas compositores da actualidade.
Obrigado por existires
Charles Campbell
YOU ARE SO RIGHT. AND ISN'T IT AMAZING TO HAVE SUCH A WONDERFUL MUSICIAN WHO CAN TOUCH AND STIMULATE EACH AND EVERY EMOTION. THIS GUY IS TRULY AMAZING AND I FIND MYSELF LISTENING TO HIM WITH THE SAME ENTHUSIASM AS I HAVE FOR ELVIS, ROY ORBISON, JAY AND THE AMERICANS ETC. AND I DIDN'T HONESTLY THINK ANYONE LIKE THIS WOULD COME ALONG AGAIN. MAY GOD BLESS YOU.
JM DM
Well I come back to find
Emilina's got somebody else on her mind
And I came back too soon
Emilina's got somebody else in her room
It's the walk down that haunts
It's a place that's so cruel to all love it can't talk
And I come back to know
Emilina just wouldn't go
Would you court me if I call?
Would you catch me should I fall?
I imagined I'd find
Emilina with somebody taking her time
I turned round a fool
Emilina's got nobody up in her room
A thought that she called
An old ghost of a lover whose dust left the hall
There's nothing you own
When someone has to go
Would you catch me should I fall?
Can I court you if I call?
I would catch you if you fall
Emilina's got something way up in her mind
You'll end up thinking how you got so entwined
micmac09
Quelle merveille !
Tony Bates
Richard Hawley ploughs his own furrow and the results are beautiful. He's like a Jimmy Webb for the 21st century.
Joao pedro Borges sant Anna
For me the best of the album
Charles Campbell
ANOTHER GREAT SONG. HOW DOES HE DO IT? THE WORDS ARE BEAUTIFUL, BUT THE MELODY JUST TOUCHES YOUR SOUL. THAT'S GREAT MUSIC.
Patricia Puddle
Love Richard Hawley