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
Run For Me
Richard Hawley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll declare my intent to race again
Baby I've done running
I've cut myself a deal
Gave myself a ladder, this time for real
And I've got nothing on the inside left to charm, just look at me
And I've got nothing to live up to and nothing to reveal
Go on run for me
Go on run for me because I can't take it back
Gone the summer gone the past and now it's done
Now it's done
The lane is laced with ashes
My road is paved with fear
I bathed myself in sweet grass to tame the years
And I've got nothing on the inside left to charm, just look at me
And I've got nothing to live up to and nothing to reveal
Go on run for me
Go on run for me
Go on run for me Å?cause I can't take it back
Gone the summer gone the past and now it's done
Now it's done
The song "Run For Me" by Richard Hawley is about someone who is ready to start over and make a change in their life. The first verse suggests that the person is going to declare their intent to race again, indicating that they are ready to take control of their life and move forward. They have cut a deal with themselves and given themselves a ladder, suggesting they are willing to work hard to achieve their goals. But the person also admits that they have nothing left to charm others with and nothing to reveal about themselves, possibly indicating that they have been living a life that was not true to themselves.
The second verse mentions the lane being laced with ashes and the road being paved with fear, representing the obstacles and challenges the person has faced in their life. However, they have also bathed themselves in sweet grass to tame the years, suggesting they have taken steps to heal and find inner peace. The repetition of the line "Go on run for me" indicates the person may be asking someone else to forge ahead on their behalf. Whether this is someone who is helping them make a fresh start, or simply a metaphor for the confidence and courage they need to move forward, is left open to interpretation.
Overall, "Run For Me" is an introspective and emotive song about taking control of your life and making a change, even if it means starting over with nothing.
Line by Line Meaning
Later here this morning, if the crowds hold back the rain
At some point today, assuming it doesn't rain and the crowd doesn't interfere, I plan on making a declaration.
I'll declare my intent to race again
I will explain that I plan to start running again.
Baby I've done running
I'm done with running away from my problems.
I've cut myself a deal
I've made an agreement with myself.
Gave myself a ladder, this time for real
I gave myself a true opportunity to improve.
And I've got nothing on the inside left to charm, just look at me
I don't have any hidden personal qualities that would persuade you to like me, so just judge me on how I appear.
And I've got nothing to live up to and nothing to reveal
I don't feel like I have any expectations to meet or inner secrets to share.
Go on run for me
Run on my behalf.
Go on run for me
Continue running for me.
Go on run for me because I can't take it back
Please keep running for me because I can't undo what I've done.
Gone the summer gone the past and now it's done
The summer and the past are gone forever and there's nothing I can do about it.
Now it's done
It's over now.
The lane is laced with ashes
The path I'm on is dark and filled with ruin.
My road is paved with fear
I'm scared and uncertain about the direction my journey is taking me.
I bathed myself in sweet grass to tame the years
I've tried to find a way to escape the pain and sadness that comes with growing older.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RICHARD WILLIS HAWLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind