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
Standing at the Sky_s Edge
Richard Hawley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Though tonight was the best night that we've had
I'll put away my old suit and say goodbye
Cause something is with us tonight
Oh come on now sweetness don't you cry
The living here hasn't been easy for a while
I'll put away my old shoes and say goodbye
Yeah I'm leaving on the next train that's blowing round the bend
And I'll be there by the morning and I won't be back again
'Cos I've just seen the ending to our story
Well something is
Yeah something is
Yeah something is with us tonight
I'm going away to the station in the rain
I'm sorry sweetness but there's nothing more to say
I've put away all my old things, this is goodbye
'Cos something is with us tonight
Yeah I'm leaving on the next train that's blowing round the bend
And I'll be there by the morning and I won't be back again
'Cos I've just seen the ending to our story
Well something is
Yeah something is
Yeah something is With us tonight
The lyrics to Richard Hawley's song "Standing at the Sky's Edge" depict the end of a relationship. The singer is telling their partner that they are leaving and won't be returning, despite how good the night they just had was. The chorus repeats the phrase "something is with us tonight," which can be interpreted in different ways. It could refer to the emotions and feelings that are present in the air between them, or it could be a nod to the supernatural, suggesting that there is an eerie presence complicating their relationship.
Throughout the song, the singer is reassuring their partner that everything will be okay and that they shouldn't be sad. However, the sadness is palpable in the lyrics, especially when the singer says that they're leaving on the next train in the rain. The final lines reveal that the singer has "just seen the ending to our story," further solidifying the fact that the relationship has run its course.
Overall, "Standing at the Sky's Edge" is a poignant and beautifully written song that captures the emotions of a failed relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm going away now sweetness, don't be sad
I am leaving now, my dear, please don't be sad.
Though tonight was the best night that we've had
Although tonight was the best night we ever had together
I'll put away my old suit and say goodbye
I'll keep my old suit in the wardrobe as I say goodbye
Cause something is with us tonight
There's something special in the air tonight
Oh come on now sweetness don't you cry
Please don't cry, my love
The living here hasn't been easy for a while
We've been having a hard time living here recently
I'll put away my old shoes and say goodbye
I'll keep my old shoes in the closet as I say goodbye
'Cos something is with us tonight
Because there's something special happening tonight
Yeah I'm leaving on the next train that's blowing round the bend
I'm taking the next train that comes around the corner
And I'll be there by the morning and I won't be back again
I'll arrive in the morning and never come back
'Cos I've just seen the ending to our story
Because I now know how our story will end
Well something is
Something special is happening
Yeah something is
Yes, something is happening, alright
Yeah something is with us tonight
There's something special happening tonight, indeed
I'm going away to the station in the rain
I am leaving for the station in rainy weather
I'm sorry sweetness but there's nothing more to say
I'm sorry, my dear, but we have nothing left to say
I've put away all my old things, this is goodbye
I've packed away all my old belongings, this is farewell
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RICHARD WILLIS HAWLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wild Talks Ireland
Saw him do an acoustic version of this in Cork a few weeks ago. Worth the ticket just to hear it. Epic.
anthony duvall
nice one
Dave McIroy
Saw his as support for Pulp in Dublin. Yeah, was really good.
David Canales
all the stuff i have heard from this guy...very lush. more than a song, he strives to create a set of emotions with his music
lee goodison
Outstanding song. The musical of the same name is terrific. Hopefully it gets close to your home town in the near future. 10/10.
Adam Walker
This is utterly amazing! Very glad that I just discovered you (with some help). Very eager to check out the rest of your music.
winterofyouth
what an incredible song/ songwriter.
Ian Tully
Fantastic album, reminds me so much of Mark Lanegan, brilliant music!
Victor Lazarini
Muuuuuuuuuuuito bom! Veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery good!
1trevorjohn
Great song, great album