Stephen Fretwell (born November 10, 1981) is an English singer-songwriter f… Read Full Bio ↴Stephen Fretwell (born November 10, 1981) is an English singer-songwriter from Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire.

Stephen attended St. Augustine Webster Primary School in Scunthorpe and St. Bede's Catholic School in Ashby before furthering his study at John Leggott College - It was here that he started his first band 'Label'.

Fretwell is a keen fan of bands of the Brit-pop era, such as Oasis, Blur, The Bluetones, Radiohead, and Suede. During this period he formed a band; in order to demonstrate his talent to a wider audience.

After moving to Salford in the autumn of 2000 Stephen started to gain recognition for his music. He earned notice from magazines such as NME, Q Magazine. During this period songs such as Emily and What’s That You Say Little Girl? were first written.

Fretwell decided to stay in Manchester permanently, later releasing 8 Songs which he put out on Northern Ambition, a label owned by a friend. Fretwell later described it as 'The one I did to prove to myself I could put out one proper record'.

Fretwell left university after only one year, discovering that education wasn’t for him at this time, after all he’d only managed to attend two lectures. With this he picked up his guitar and started to perform at local acoustic nights in the Manchester area. The first of these nights being at The Roadhouse, a venue that lay in the centre of Manchester’s Northern Quarter. That night Fretwell impressed a restless and hard to please crowd with his performance.

He later released the Something's Got to Give EP and The Lines, both self-financed. On back of his growing stature and reputation, Fretwell was invited to support bands such as Travis, Elbow, Athlete, Keane and KT Tunstall.

His debut album Magpie, was released in November 2004. The first single taken from the album was "Run" and was subsequently followed by "Emily" which was in the Top 10 airplayed songs. His last single was "Four Letter Words EP". His song " Run “ is the theme tune to the award winning sitcom Gavin & Stacey.

He is known for his curly mop of ginger hair, sombre lyrics and gravelly deep voice. He names his main influence as Bob Dylan. His songs are derivative of Dylan's work, and he learnt to play guitar by playing Dylan's songs on his grandfather's old, unused guitar.

He was described by Q Magazine as 'Scunthorpe's finest export... ever'. The Times magazine said 'Not in your face but in your heart? Yes'. He is signed to Fiction Records and recorded his album at the Abbey Road Studios.

He has just released his new album "Man on the Roof" that recieved the same critical acclaim as "Magpie" with beautiful songs such as "Funny Hat" and "Now"...

The official website can be found at http://www.stephenfretwell.com/.

Lines
Stephen Fretwell Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I walk the line
I do it all the time.
I push the water through
The things we said we'd do
And the whiskey and the line
Rollin' all the time
It makes me do
Things I really shouldn't do

Of your eyes
I think I've seen 'em once or twice.

Yes, of your eyes
I think I've seen 'em once ... twice.

Overall Meaning

In Stephen Fretwell's song "Lines," the singer talks about walking the line, pushing the water through, and how whiskey and lines make him do things he really shouldn’t do. It seems like the singer is caught up in a cycle of addiction and trying to stay on the right path, but inevitably falling back into the same patterns.

The line that the singer walks could represent the line between what is right and wrong, and how he is constantly struggling to stay on the right side of things. The water that he pushes through could represent the difficulties and challenges that he faces in his life, but he continues to push through them. The whiskey and the line could represent his vices and addictions, and how they are always there tempting him to give in.

The repetition of "of your eyes, I think I've seen 'em once or twice" could represent a memory or a feeling that he can't seem to shake off. It could also represent a person or a relationship that he has lost and is trying to hold on to, but is unable to do so.

Overall, "Lines" is a powerful song about addiction, struggle, and the constant battle between good and evil.

Line by Line Meaning

I walk the line
I stay on the path of what I believe to be right and true

I do it all the time.
I remain committed to it constantly

I push the water through
I diligently try to fulfill our promises

The things we said we'd do
The tasks that we agreed to complete

And the whiskey and the line
But occasionally, the temptation of alcohol and drugs sidetracks me from my goals

Rollin' all the time
Immersed in the materialistic world full of temporary pleasures

It makes me do
Causes me to engage in actions that are not ideal

Things I really shouldn't do
Things that are not aligned with my values and beliefs

Of your eyes
The beauty of your eyes

I think I've seen 'em once or twice.
I have only glimpsed your eyes briefly