He released his first solo album, Voyage of the Acolyte, in 1975 while still with Genesis, and has maintained a steady output since. He is a distinctive and versatile guitarist who also performs classical concerts and has released five classical albums in addition to many rock, progressive, and blues albums. He participated in the 1986 formation of GTR with Steve Howe.
Hackett's tours alternate between acoustic performances (often accompanied by his brother John Hackett (flute) and Roger King (keyboards) as the Steve Hackett Acoustic Trio) and more rock-oriented performances.
In 2013, Hackett teamed up with bass player Chris Squire, founding member of Yes, to form Squackett.
* Official website
How Can I
Steve Hackett Lyrics
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But I don't sleep too well
Where are those southern belles
Tryin' to get a telephone line through South Carolina
Your call may bring somebody down for miles around
I'm watching her eyes again
I won't use no fountain pen
The lady isn't here. The message wasn't clear
Mother nature never gives in, she wants you to sing
But how can I go on just singing this song
My car's out of gas again
Hurry home to see my friend
Money won't help you to win a new look at things
Loving can bring you down so you fall
Then why do you still try to get up at all
Your good and bad side showing through
Problems are a part of you
You must love someone else or face life by yourself
You may expect a call
She's waiting in the hall
See the garden grows and it grows nobody else knows
And you can wear just any old thing
The show can begin
I'm falling asleep to dream
No more hills to climb it seems
Money won't help you to win a new look at things
You never give in
So why don't you sing
But how can I go on just singing this song
My car's out of gas again
I'll be home to see my friend
The lyrics of Steve Hackett's song "How Can I?" touch on themes of loneliness, frustration, and the search for connection. The song opens with the singer tuning in to a local radio station, but not finding any solace there. He reflects on the absence of companionship, asking "where are those southern belles?" in reference to the traditional image of a beautiful, charming woman. He speaks of his attempts to reach out and connect with others, through a telephone call that may "bring somebody down for miles around," but ultimately finds himself alone and unable to find the words to express his feelings. He laments the departure of a woman he cared for, whose message was unclear and who has left him feeling abandoned.
The chorus of the song turns more philosophical, with the singer questioning the purpose of continuing to sing and create when life can be so difficult. He notes the ways in which money and material possessions do not provide true happiness or fulfillment. The imagery in the lyrics emphasizes the contrast between nature's endless growth and human struggle: "Mother nature never gives in, she wants you to sing...see the garden grows and it grows nobody else knows."
In the bridge of the song, the singer reflects on the complexity of human nature, with our "good and bad side showing through" and our problems integral to who we are. He suggests that to overcome these challenges, we must either find love or learn to face life on our own.
Overall, "How Can I?" explores the struggle to find meaning and connection amid the frustrations and difficulties of everyday life. It reflects on the importance of human connection, but does not offer any easy answers or solutions.
Line by Line Meaning
The local radio says sorry time to go
The radio broadcast is informing that it's time to leave.
But I don't sleep too well
The singer has difficulty falling asleep.
Where are those southern belles
The singer is wondering where the women from the South are.
Tryin' to get a telephone line through South Carolina
Attempting to make a phone call from South Carolina.
Your call may bring somebody down for miles around
Making a phone call could affect multiple people in the surrounding area.
I'm watching her eyes again
The singer is closely observing someone's eyes.
I won't use no fountain pen
The singer won't use a fountain pen.
The lady isn't here. The message wasn't clear
The woman being sought is not present, and the message received is unclear.
She left an hour ago, screamed from the floor below
The woman left an hour ago and called out as she exited the building.
Mother nature never gives in, she wants you to sing
Nature endures constantly and encourages people to be creative.
But how can I go on just singing this song
The singer questions their ability to continue performing the same song repeatedly.
My car's out of gas again
The artist's car has run out of fuel yet again.
Hurry home to see my friend
The singer is eager to return home to see their friend.
Money won't help you to win a new look at things
Money cannot provide a fresh perspective or outlook.
Loving can bring you down so you fall
Love can cause emotional hardships.
Then why do you still try to get up at all
The artist is questioning why someone would continue to pursue love despite the difficulties it can cause.
Your good and bad side showing through
Both positive and negative aspects of someone's personality are evident.
Problems are a part of you
Challenges are inherent to a person's character.
You must love someone else or face life by yourself
One must either love someone else or face life alone.
You may expect a call
The artist hints that someone may receive a phone call.
She's waiting in the hall
The woman being sought is waiting in the hallway.
See the garden grows and it grows nobody else knows
The garden continues to flourish and expand without anyone else being aware.
And you can wear just any old thing
One can wear any old thing and it won't matter.
The show can begin
The performance can commence.
I'm falling asleep to dream
The singer is drifting off to sleep and dreaming.
No more hills to climb it seems
It appears that there are no more obstacles left to overcome.
Money won't help you to win a new look at things
Money cannot buy a new and fresh perspective.
You never give in
The artist never gives up.
So why don't you sing
The artist is questioning why someone doesn't sing.
But how can I go on just singing this song
The singer is questioning their ability to continue performing the same song over and over.
My car's out of gas again
Once again, the singer's car has run out of fuel.
I'll be home to see my friend
The artist is looking forward to arriving back home to see their friend.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HACKETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind