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
Lonely Night
Richard Hawley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just can't stand another lonely night
Going away now baby, gonna take my shoes
Gonna walk off these lonely blues
And I'm going away now baby don't you think of me
I'll be wandering somewhere you can't see
I'm going away now baby gonna be alright
It's just that I can't stand another lonely night
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I'm going away now baby's gonna be alright
I just can't stand another lonely night
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The lyrics of Richard Hawley's song "Lonely Night" convey a sense of restlessness and a longing for change. The singer declares that he is leaving and assuring his lover that everything will be alright. However, the reason for his departure is the unbearable loneliness he has been experiencing, hinting at an underlying dissatisfaction or unhappiness within the relationship. The repetition of the phrase "another lonely night" suggests that this is a recurring problem that has led to the singer's decision to leave.
The use of the word "wandering" in the third verse further emphasizes the feeling of aimlessness and uncertainty that the singer is experiencing. The implication is that he is searching for something but does not know exactly what it is or where he will find it. The ambiguous nature of this search, combined with the sense of detachment that the song conveys, creates a poignant and melancholy atmosphere that is characteristic of many of Hawley's songs.
Overall, "Lonely Night" is a contemplative and introspective song about the search for connection and meaning, and the struggles that can arise when those things are elusive. The lyrics suggest a sense of longing for something more, even as the singer takes steps to distance himself from what he has known before.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm going away now baby's gonna be alright
I am leaving now, but don't worry about me. I will be okay.
I just can't stand another lonely night
I am tired of being alone and I can't bear another night of feeling lonely.
Going away now baby, gonna take my shoes
I am leaving and I am taking my shoes with me.
Gonna walk off these lonely blues
I am going to try to shake off this feeling of loneliness.
And I'm going away now baby don't you think of me
I am leaving and I don't want you to worry or dwell on my departure.
I'll be wandering somewhere you can't see
I am going to be wandering around, perhaps in places where you can't find me.
I'm going away now baby gonna be alright
I am leaving, but it's for the best and I will be okay.
It's just that I can't stand another lonely night
I am leaving because I can't bear another night alone.
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Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RICHARD WILLIS HAWLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind