He regularly does solo work, and returns again and again to bands he has formed like The Soft Boys and The Egyptians. Hitchcock is an avid and able collaborator with people like director Jonathan Demme, actor Alan Rickman, country/folk duo (and longtime Hitchcock fans) Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, The Venus 3, R.E.M.'s Peter Buck, Young Fresh Fellows' frontman Scott McCaughey, Andy Partridge of XTC, Nick Lowe, former Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones, Jon Brion, and Grant-Lee Phillips, as well as Ministry's Bill Rieflin.
Hitchcock's musical and lyrical styles have been influenced by his appreciation of Bob Dylan, Gregory Corso, The Byrds, Country Joe & The Fish, and Syd Barrett.
Hitchcock's lyrics are an essential component of his work, and tend to include surrealism, comedic songs, characterisations of English eccentrics, plant roots, insects, trains, dreams, and melancholy depictions of everyday life. His themes include what many psychologists view as the roots of modern neurosis - namely, death, sex, and eating. (As if in recognition of these themes, he released an EP in 2007 called "Sex, Food, Death and Tarantulas".)
not dark yet
Robyn Hitchcock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's too hot to sleep time is running away
Feel like my soul has turned into steel
I've still got the scars that the sun didn't heal
There's not even room enough to be anywhere
It's not dark yet, but it's getting there
Well my sense of humanity has gone down the drain
She wrote me a letter and she wrote it so kind
She put down in writing what was in her mind
I just don't see why I should even care
It's not dark yet, but it's getting there
Well, I've been to London and I've been to gay Paris
I've followed the river and I got to the sea
I've been down on the bottom of a world full of lies
I ain't looking for nothing in anyone's eyes
Sometimes my burden is more than I can bear
It's not dark yet, but it's getting there
I was born here and I'll die here against my will
I know it looks like I'm moving, but I'm standing still
Every nerve in my body is so vacant and numb
I can't even remember what it was I came here to get away from
Don't even hear a murmur of a prayer
It's not dark yet, but it's getting there
The lyrics to Robyn Hitchcock's song Not Dark Yet are reflective and emotional, bringing up themes of pain, disillusionment and the passing of time. The imagery used is melancholic, with shadows falling and time running away. The lyrics show a sense of detachment and apathy towards life, with the singer feeling like their "soul has turned into steel", implying a numbness and a lack of emotion. There is also a sense of weariness with the world and a loss of faith in humanity. The line "I've been down on the bottom of a world full of lies" highlights the cynicism and disillusionment felt by the singer.
The second verse introduces a female character who seems to have brought some light into the singer's life, by writing him a kind letter which expressed what was on her mind. However, he questions why he should care and seems to be struggling to find meaning and joy in his life. The third verse reveals that the singer is a traveler who has explored London, Paris and the sea, yet he feels lost and weighed down by the burdens of life. The final verse is the most haunting, with the singer feeling trapped and empty, unable to remember why he came to this place or what it was he was trying to escape from. The line "I was born here and I'll die here against my will" is particularly powerful, conveying a sense of hopelessness and resignation.
Line by Line Meaning
Shadows are falling and I've been here all day
The day is passing, and the singer has been in the same place for a long time.
It's too hot to sleep time is running away
The heat is making it difficult to rest, and time is moving quickly.
Feel like my soul has turned into steel
The singer's spirit feels hardened and unyielding.
I've still got the scars that the sun didn't heal
The artist bears emotional wounds that haven't been mended by time.
There's not even room enough to be anywhere
The artist feels confined and boxed in, unable to find a sense of space or belonging.
It's not dark yet, but it's getting there
Although it is still light outside, the singer senses a growing darkness, both literally and metaphorically.
Well my sense of humanity has gone down the drain
The singer feels a loss of compassion or empathy for others.
Behind every beautiful thing there's been some kind of pain
The artist believes that suffering is an inherent part of life, even in things that appear beautiful on the surface.
She wrote me a letter and she wrote it so kind
Someone showed the artist kindness by reaching out to them in writing.
She put down in writing what was in her mind
This person shared their thoughts and feelings with the artist.
I just don't see why I should even care
Despite this act of kindness, the singer feels disconnected and uncaring.
Well, I've been to London and I've been to gay Paris
The artist has traveled to famous cities, experiencing different cultures and lifestyles.
I've followed the river and I got to the sea
The singer has traveled to the coast after following the course of a river.
I've been down on the bottom of a world full of lies
The singer has experienced the depths of a deceitful world.
I ain't looking for nothing in anyone's eyes
The singer isn't searching for validation or acceptance from others.
Sometimes my burden is more than I can bear
The artist feels weighed down by their troubles and struggles to cope.
It's not dark yet, but it's getting there
Despite past experiences and travel, the artist still feels a growing darkness and struggle within themselves.
I was born here and I'll die here against my will
The singer feels trapped by their circumstances, unable to escape or change their fate.
I know it looks like I'm moving, but I'm standing still
To others, it may appear that the singer is making progress or change, but they feel stagnant and stuck.
Every nerve in my body is so vacant and numb
The artist feels emotionally numb and empty, as if their nerves are no longer functioning.
I can't even remember what it was I came here to get away from
The artist has lost sight of their initial motivation for leaving or seeking change in their life.
Don't even hear a murmur of a prayer
The artist feels disconnected from spirituality or a higher power.
It's not dark yet, but it's getting there
The sense of growing darkness and hopelessness intensifies as the song ends.
Contributed by Ruby Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
diddywahdaddy
I saw Hitchcock start the show all alone with his interpretation of this very brilliant song in my hometown Oslo yesterday. It was moving, stunning, you name it. People actually totally shut up those minutes it lasted - the famous needle could have dropped and would have been heard thru the music. It was just fantastic, pure and simple. Wish I had a tape of it.
Joanna Kopf
Historic moment!💕
Malcolm Nicoll
Brilliant. The best interpretation of this classic, ever! Love Robyn Hitchcock. Thanks for posting.
Jason Umbrellabird
Surpassed by Allison Moorer and Shelby Lynn.
Jeff Williams
+paul griffin
Are you THE Paul Griffin? Edit: You're not. He died in 2000. So your "load of shit" opinion is worthless.
NIGEL PASSMORE
@paul griffin Fuck You .
paul griffin
What a load of shit .
easong
Every cover on this album is stellar.
Steven Sonoras
"Behind every beautiful thing there's always some kind of pain." Truer words were never spoken. That line sounds even more poignant channeled through Robyn's supple, purring voice than in the overproduced original.
C S
Go Robyn!! Have been listening since 84. You are awesome.