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
My Little Treasures
Richard Hawley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I keep close to me
They give me so much pleasure
And some company
Cold beer in warm places
Heartbreak and old faces
With my little treasures
And some smaller measure
I'm never alone
Warm beer in cold places
Whiskey glass, storm chasers
Look at all these stars
Look at all these stars
Ever do believe it's Jupiter and Mars
Look at all these stars
Look at all these stars
How did we ever get so far from here
Lonely eyes
They remain for an age
And for a time
To tell the truth
Oh it gets strange
The younger I could not follow you
The older I misremembers you
And for a while I will drink to you
And fill my cup with rage
With my little treasures
You're more than old bones
Cold beer in warm places
Whiskey glass, storm chasers
Look at all these stars
Look at all these stars
Ever do believe it's Jupiter and Mars
Look at all these stars
Look at all these stars
How did we ever get so far from there
To here
My little treasures
I keep close to me
The lyrics to Richard Hawleyโs โMy Little Treasuresโ convey a sense of nostalgia and longing for something that has been lost. The opening lines โMy little treasures, I keep close to meโ suggest that the singer is holding onto memories that bring him comfort and company. He reflects on these memories as he drinks, mentioning both โcold beer in warm placesโ and โwarm beer in cold places, whiskey glass, storm chasersโ. These lines suggest that he drinks to remember the good times and forget the pain of the past, seeking comfort in his โlittle treasuresโ.
The lines โLook at all these stars, ever do believe itโs Jupiter and Marsโ suggest a certain sense of awe or wonder. At the same time, however, the singer also seems to express confusion about how he and the people around him have changed. He sings, โHow did we ever get so far from here?โ and suggests that his memories of the past are marred by the fact that he canโt quite remember them in a way that feels true or authentic. The line โLonely eyes, they remain for an ageโ echoes this sense of longing for something that was once real and meaningful but that has now been lost or distorted over time.
Line by Line Meaning
My little treasures
The singer's personal belongings, keepsakes, or memories that they value and cherish.
I keep close to me
The singer holds these treasures close and dear, they are an important part of their life and well-being.
They give me so much pleasure
The treasures provide joy, happiness or comfort to the singer.
And some company
The artist's treasures can serve as companionship and ease loneliness or isolation.
Cold beer in warm places
Drinking a cold beer in a warm setting, a symbol for the simple pleasures in life
Heartbreak and old faces
Recalling past relationships and connections, sentimental memories
With my little treasures
Connecting these significant memories to their personal treasures
You're more than old bones
The memories associated with the treasures are more valuable than the physical possessions.
And some smaller measure
The memories don't always have to be big or significant to hold meaning or bring happiness to the artist.
I'm never alone
The treasures provide comfort and company, even when the artist is physically alone.
Warm beer in cold places
Drinking a warm beer in a cold setting, representing discomfort and unpleasant experiences.
Whiskey glass, storm chasers
Drinking whiskey while chasing storms, representing recklessness and risk-taking behavior.
Look at all these stars
The singer reflects on the beauty and vastness of the universe.
Ever do believe it's Jupiter and Mars
Wondering about the cosmic nature of the universe, questioning life's mysteries
Lonely eyes
The singer's gaze falls upon those who are alone or isolated.
They remain for an age
The artist acknowledges that loneliness can last for an extended period.
And for a time
The artist briefly considers this feeling of loneliness.
To tell the truth
Acknowledging and confronting the reality of loneliness.
Oh it gets strange
Loneliness can be an odd or uncomfortable feeling.
The younger I could not follow you
The artist was too young to understand or comprehend the experiences or emotions of others.
The older I misremembers you
The artist's memory may be distorted or unclear, particularly as they age.
And for a while I will drink to you
The artist will raise a glass in memory or honor of someone who is no longer with them.
And fill my cup with rage
The singer may feel anger or frustration at the situation or at those who have caused them pain or loss.
How did we ever get so far from here to there
Reflecting on how much has changed or how far they have come over time.
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management
Written by: Richard Hawley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
florence pi
My little treasures
I keep close to me
They give me so much pleasure
And some company
Cold beer in warm places
Heartbreak and old faces
With my little treasures
You're more than old bones
And some smaller measure
I'm never alone
Warm beer in cold places
Whiskey glass, storm chasers
Look at all these stars
Look at all these stars
Ever do believe it's Jupiter and Mars
Look at all these stars
Look at all these stars
How did we ever get so far from here
Lonely eyes
They remain for an age
And for a time
To tell the truth
Oh it gets strange
The younger I could not follow you
The older I misremembers you
And for a while I will drink to you
And fill my cup with rage
With my little treasures
You're more than old bones
Cold beer in warm places
Whiskey glass, storm chasers
Look at all these stars
Look at all these stars
Ever do believe it's Jupiter and Mars
Look at all these stars
Look at all these stars
How did we ever get so far from there
To here
My little treasures
I keep close to me
John Stewart
Richard was on Radio Scotland this afternoon and told the story behind the title of this song. After his father passed away last year, Richard went for a few drinks with his father's lifelong mates, guys he had grown up knowing. When he went to the bar his father's boyhood friend went to pay for the drinks and showed Richard an old black and white photo he had carried all his life in the 3 wallets he had ever owned. It showed himself and Richard's father on a motorbike from the 1950's. Richard asked why he had carried it all this time and the reply was, "It's just one of my life's little treasures". Very moving. Worth another listen to the song now for an insight into it's inspiration.
Drew Rosenberg
Im 18 and listen to ur music when working out, doing homework, or just chillin, literally love ur music so fucking much, each song holds vigorous emotion, happy or sad and at the same time they are soft and flowing. I found ur music by accident and im so happy i did, youll never know or have any idea but youve been helping me get through life for the past couple of years. Ur a gift in our lifes, thank you dude
Jo Paton
As long as Richard Hawley is making music in the world all is good, long may it continue. This video makes me miss my one-eyed black lab, beautiful soul helped me through so much.
Shadow Love
I miss your one-eyed black lab too ๐ช
lillylilac
Jo Paton, So sorry to hear about your lovely friend, I can understand how this beautiful video, brought back the memories, Richard Hawley is wonderful, such an accomplished musician.
Artist Alison Bessesdotter
Your voice!! It is incredible ๐คฉ
Susan Dhifaoui
isn't it wonderful? Like a warm knife through butter.
Susan Dhifaoui
Love this. such a beautiful melody, that warm, rich, rich voice, great guitar, and a couple of little treasures in the video to boot. who could want anything more.
Fermi Implosive
Quite right, top shelf track in all aspects...The guitar bits are particularly standout on my old Koss Pro 4AAA headphones... The future looks bright for Hawley offerings in 2019!
Frances Ancheta, Songwriter
As usual, excellent songwriting and musicianship. Thanks for the all the music Richard, you're an inspiration!