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
Love of My Life
Richard Hawley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Speaking so soft to me
I wait in the rain
Your sin in your eyes
Washing all over me
Time, time on my side
Wondering sweetly
Your name on my mind
You think of it all for me
Love in this same old disguise
Love of my life
Love of my life
Love of my life
Love of my life
Love of my life
Washing all over me
Love in the same old disguise
Love, love of my life
Sleeping so softly
I burn in the flames
The flames of your eyes
Waiting all over me
Time, time on my side
Whispering sweet to me
I'm singing your name
Your name on my mind
You think of it out for me
Love in the same old disguise
The lyrical content of Richard Hawley's "Love of My Life" is undoubtedly emotionally charged. At its core, the song seems to be about someone who is deeply in love with another person who is not reciprocating that love. The first two lines of the song, "Love, love of my life / Speaking so soft to me," suggest that the singer is in the presence of the object of their affection, but that person is not speaking to them with the same level of intensity or passion. The singer then reveals that they are waiting in the rain, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for waiting for something or someone that may never come.
The second verse continues this theme of unrequited love, with the singer singing the beloved's name over and over again. They wonder if time is on their side, hoping that something will change or even wondering if they're just wasting their time. The chorus repeats the phrase "Love of my life" several times, perhaps emphasizing the singer's desperation and determination to hold on to this love, even if it is unrequited. The final verse continues this theme, with the singer burning in the flames of the beloved's eyes, yet still desperately singing their name over and over again. The song ends with another mention of love "in the same old disguise," perhaps suggesting that this situation is not new or unique, but the singer is still struggling with it nonetheless.
Line by Line Meaning
Love, love of my life
The one I love the most and cherish deeply.
Speaking so soft to me
Talking to me in a gentle and loving tone.
I wait in the rain
I am waiting patiently, even in difficult times.
Your sin in your eyes
I see the regret and pain in your eyes from wrong choices.
Washing all over me
I am being deeply affected by your emotions and feelings.
Time, time on my side
I have unlimited time to appreciate you and be with you.
Wondering sweetly
Contemplating with affection and fondness.
I'm singing your name
I am expressing my delight, praise and gratitude to you through song.
Your name on my mind
I cannot stop thinking of you, your name and all you mean to me.
You think of it all for me
You care deeply for me and have my best interests in mind.
Love in this same old disguise
Love may appear in different forms or situations, but it always remains true and unchanging.
Love of my life
My true love and lifelong partner.
Sleeping so softly
Resting in tranquility and peace, looking peaceful and serene.
I burn in the flames
I experience great passion and intensity in my emotions and feelings for you.
The flames of your eyes
The intense emotions in your eyes, looking deep within your soul.
Waiting all over me
My mind and body are full of anticipation and eagerness to be with you.
Whispering sweet to me
Speaking softly and tenderly to me, expressing love and affection.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RICHARD WILLIS HAWLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind