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
On The Ledge
Richard Hawley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For so many years that I've lost how
The nights go by sitting in this car
Well I've tried to leave but I don't get far
I'm standing here on the edge now
The dark goes in and the light goes out
You know you were so cruel
All the things you put me through
Yes I only need just one chance
Then I'll be over you
I'll be over you
Well I've been out here on the ledge now
For so many years that I don't know how
You lose the ones you love the most
And left out here just on your own
And you only get just one chance
Well I only need the one chance
Then I'll be over you
Oh I'll be over you
The lyrics in Richard Hawley's song "On The Ledge" express a sense of being stuck in emotional limbo. The singer has spent so much time on the edge, trying to leave a situation that has caused them pain, but they haven't been able to. The darkness comes in and the light goes out, signifying a kind of despair that has set in. The singer is addressing someone who has been cruel to them, and they've been left alone without the ones they love the most. The lyrics hint at a sense of desperation to move on, to get over the one who has caused the pain.
The singer speaks of needing just one chance to move on and to be over the person who has caused them pain. The repetition of this sentiment, "I only need just one chance, then I'll be over you," reveals a sense of hopelessness and desperation that sets in when one feels stuck in a situation that causes them pain. The imagery of sitting in a car all night also adds to the feeling of restlessness and being trapped. It is unclear whether the singer is speaking of a romantic relationship or a personal struggle, but it is clear that they are drained and want to move on.
Overall, the lyrics in "On The Ledge" convey a sense of desperation and limbo that many people can relate to. The repetition of the phrase "just one chance" hints at a longing for resolution and closure while also speaking to the difficulty of moving on from something or someone that has caused so much pain.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I've been out here on the ledge now
The singer has been in a difficult and precarious situation for a long time.
For so many years that I've lost how
The singer has been in this situation for so long that he's forgotten how long it's been.
The nights go by sitting in this car
The singer spends his nights alone in his car.
Well I've tried to leave but I don't get far
The singer has attempted to leave his situation, but has been unsuccessful in doing so.
I'm standing here on the edge now
The singer is on the brink of something significant.
The dark goes in and the light goes out
The mood fluctuates between darkness and light.
You know you were so cruel
The singer was mistreated by someone.
All the things you put me through
The mistreatment was significant and had lasting effects.
But I only need just one chance
The singer believes that a single chance is all he needs to move on.
Yes I only need just one chance
The singer is adamant that only one chance is required.
Then I'll be over you
The singer believes that after he has his one chance, he will be able to put the past behind him.
I'll be over you
The singer is determined to move on from the person who mistreated him.
For so many years that I don't know how
The singer has been in his difficult situation for so long that he's lost track of time.
You lose the ones you love the most
The singer has experienced loss of those closest to him.
And left out here just on your own
The singer has been left to deal with his loss by himself.
And you only get just one chance
The singer reiterates again that he only needs one chance to move on.
Well I only need the one chance
The singer is confident that one chance is all he needs.
Oh I'll be over you
The singer is certain that he will be able to put the past behind him after he has his one chance.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RICHARD WILLIS HAWLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind