After attempting to pursue a career in London, Joseph moved to Newquay, Cornwall. played in a variety of bands such as Eli Bowen and The Rhythm Doctors. As a solo artist, Joseph played with an acoustic guitar and a piano, occasionally accompanied by a band. He finished recording an EP in 2006, "All Substance and No Style", and after a number of live performances in London attracted record label interest.
He signed to Atlantic Records and released his debut album, Tales of Grime and Grit, in mid-2007.
After deciding to leave Atlantic Records in early 2008, his formed his own label, Pip Productions. He released his second album, Both Sides of The Coin, in February 2009. Starting work on his third studio album, Shoulder to the Wheel, later the same year, before releasing it independently in February 2010. The album had a wider physical and download release in November 2010, after Joseph secured a new management deal. His fourth studio album, Brother, was released in July 2012.
Since 2016 Ruarri has focused his attention on his band project, William the Conqueror.
Brother
Ruarri Joseph Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Realised and rushed and wasteful
I remember how you loved him so
Memories can be so graceful
There's no need for your tired eyes to feel so vacant
Love will always get you somewhere if you're patient
Trusting that the catch will be there
Still finding reasons to
Waver or direct them elsewhere
But there's no need for your tired eyes to feel so vacant
Love will always get you somewhere if you're patient
So tell me why in weakness
Does completeness
Slip on every rung
I'll keep you close and
Promise we will find
Some distance left to run
In Ruarri Joseph's song "Brother" the lyrics depict a conversation or reflection upon love, trust, and self-discovery. The song speaks to a universal truth about the human condition, that we all have moments of doubt, weakness and vacillation. The first verse is addressed directly to the brother of the singer, and perhaps indicates a deep and profound bond that exists between two people who share a deep history. The line "realised and rushed and wasteful" suggests a sense of urgency or immediacy in the context of the brother's discovery of the singer or of some deeper truth. The singer then reflects on how he remembers the brother loving someone deeply and suggests that memories can be a source of grace and beauty.
The second verse shifts focus to the singer himself who is "still falling backward now" and trying to trust in something or someone that will catch him. He acknowledges the tendency to "waver or direct them elsewhere" which suggests a restlessness or difficulty in committing to someone or something. The chorus repeats the refrain that "there is no need for your tired eyes to feel so vacant" and reminds him that "love will always get you somewhere if you're patient."
The final verse asks a rhetorical question "so tell me why in weakness does completeness slip on every rung" which suggests that the very thing we seek, completeness, always eludes us when we are feeling weak or vulnerable. The song ends on a hopeful note as the singer promises to "keep you close and promise we will find some distance left to run" suggesting that there is still hope for the brother and for himself to find meaning and purpose in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Brother when you found me there
Addressing someone by calling them brother, acknowledging that they found the singer in a particular state or situation.
Realised and rushed and wasteful
Describing the state in which the singer was found, possibly indicating that the discoverer found the singer in a moment of panic or haste, and that they are prone to wasteful behavior.
I remember how you loved him so
The singer recalls that the discoverer loved someone else, possibly suggesting that it made the singer feel insignificant or overlooked in comparison.
Memories can be so graceful
Reflecting on how memories can appear elegant and lovely, perhaps implying that this is a contrast to the present difficulties the artist is facing.
There's no need for your tired eyes to feel so vacant
Urging the addressee to abandon a sense of emptiness or apathy in their gaze, implying that there is hope and that their eyes can regain their vitality.
Love will always get you somewhere if you're patient
Encouraging the idea that love will ultimately bring success or happiness, so long as one is willing to wait and endure the challenges that may arise.
Still falling backwards now
Describing the singer's current state as being in a state of decline or regression, moving backwards instead of forward.
Trusting that the catch will be there
Still moving forward with the hope or expectation that some kind of safety net or protection will be available, despite the apparent backward steps that have already been taken.
Still finding reasons to
Continuing to encounter justifications or explanations for the artist's backsliding, possibly indicating a sense of frustration or resignation.
Waver or direct them elsewhere
Offering two options for how to handle these reasons - either to vacillate and be indecisive, or to redirect or channel those concerns towards a new goal.
So tell me why in weakness
Asking a probing question about why the singer tends to falter or feel inadequate when they are struggling.
Does completeness
Posing another question about what it means to feel whole or fulfilled, and why this state seems so difficult to attain or maintain.
Slip on every rung
Suggesting that the sense of completeness that the singer seeks is constantly eluding them, perhaps likening it to trying to climb a ladder with greasy rungs.
I'll keep you close and
The singer offers comfort and support to the addressee, indicating that they will stay near and be available.
Promise we will find
Making a pledge that they will eventually discover a way to move forward together, even if it takes time.
Some distance left to run
Acknowledging that there is still some distance to travel before their goal is achieved, but offering a sense of optimism that they will reach it eventually.
Contributed by Charlie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Rebecca Pierce
Oh, I'm so happy to be able to share all of this with my friends....Thanks for this amazing gift!
Marguerite Fawcett
I love this guy's voice - magic!
Tony Lewis
One of my favourite albums of all time. When you've conquered everything else, please send Ruarri back to us!
Ruarri Joseph
So check this out, you can now listen to the whole of Brother on YouTube.... you can even click on the track you want to go to so you don't have to scroll!! What do you think of that then? ;)
Douglas Pangaro
I like this is the sounds ! This beautiful songs
Zed Kay
Superb, resonates, vibrates with my heartbeat, warms the soul ~ well done :)
Lindsey Hendry
This is amazing! :-D
Nigel Stockting
Ruarri thank you for the song brother I lost my oldest brother to cancer in Nov 2014 and the song just brings back so many fond memories I'm trying to come to terms with it but it hurrts so much thank you xx
Philip McCourt
Saw you in the Unitarian last night sir, you were sublime!
Digger pool
If you are a fan of Ruarri you need to check out his latest reincarnation "William the Conqueror". You will not be disappointed!