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
Time Is
Richard Hawley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't really know why but it doesn't bother me
Time is on your side right now
But time can change
What is it that you are wanting
And what are you hiding?
And hoping to find there?
Time is on your side right now
But time will change
As you are now
I once was
As I am now
You will be
Time is on your side right now
But time can change
Time is on your side right now
But time will change
To my storm bred sons
And my hurricane daughter
Who were born from sand
And to sand we will return
And wind and white water
Cos time is on your side right now
Time can change
Time is on your side right now
But time will change
(Time) yes it will change
(Time) time will change
(Time) time will change
(Time) time will change
The lyrics of Richard Hawley's "Time is" speak of time as a fleeting and ever-changing force in life. The song begins with rhetorical questions asking where people have been and what they have seen. However, despite this uncertainty, the singer admits that he's not bothered by it. He then proceeds to assert that time is on his side, but warns that it is subject to change and may not always be on his side. The next verse further raises questions about what we really want and what we're hiding, and whether we know where we're going and what we hope to find. The point the singer seems to make is that we all have to face the fleeting nature of time and the uncertainty of life at some point.
The refrain, "Time is on your side right now, but time can change," is a poignant reminder to take advantage of the present and know that eventually, things will change. The most striking part of the lyrics comes in the third verse when the singer addresses his children who were "born from sand" and who will "return to sand." Through this imagery, he speaks of the cycle of life and points out that we all have limited time. Hence, we must make the most of it.
Overall, the song's lyrics are reflective and introspective. Through the exploration of different themes such as change, time, and uncertainty, the song encourages us to make the most of what we have in the present and appreciate the world around us. The message is clear: time is precious, and we should savor it while we can.
Line by Line Meaning
Where have we been to and what did you see?
Let's share our experiences and what we have seen on our journey.
Don't really know why but it doesn't bother me
I'm not sure why, but I'm not concerned about it.
Time is on your side right now
You currently have the luxury of time on your side.
But time can change
However, time is not always constant and can be unpredictable.
What is it that you are wanting
What is it that you desire or aspire towards?
And what are you hiding?
What are you keeping concealed or avoiding?
Do you know where it is you're going to
Are you aware of your destination or purpose?
And hoping to find there?
What are your expectations or desires in reaching that destination?
As you are now
Just like you at this moment,
I once was
I too was once in your position.
As I am now
As I currently am now,
You will be
You will eventually be in my current position.
To my storm bred sons
Referring to my offspring born during turmoil and struggles.
And my hurricane daughter
Referring to my daughter born during a catastrophic event.
Who were born from sand
Referring to their humble beginnings, similar to being born from sand.
And to sand we will return
We will return to where we started, just like sand.
And wind and white water
Symbolic of nature's constant change and turbulence.
(Time) yes it will change
Reaffirming the fact that time is subject to change.
(Time) time will change
Emphasizing that time is not permanent and will inevitably change.
(Time) time will change
Repeating the message that time is always changing.
(Time) time will change
Concluding the song by reminding us that time is not constant.
Writer(s): Richard Willis Hawley
Contributed by Jonathan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Clive Hutchby
'Further' is a superb album. This track, and Galley Girl, are both different to the 'normal' RH stuff. The man's a genius.
Tony Bates
That harmonica is marvellous - reminiscent of the Stones circa Let It Bleed. I love Richard Hawley.
Myron B
Beautiful references there, man
Zygmunt The Cacao Kakistocrat
More Chris Wilson, from Crown of Thorns era. Look him up if you like dirty blues harp.
Gareth Savage
Used in The Three Kings documentary beautifully.
Luís Ornelas
Hawley, you are astonishing!
Tom Gardiner
He really is. Evolves with every album, each one such a captivating sound
Jay
this is a favourite lyric of mine.
Javier MT
No se mucho inglés pero me encanta tu musica
psyclonoughts
little known mainstream it seems ,heard this on the beeb 2 days ago