Grennan was born in Bedford. His father is a builder, and his mother was a teacher. He is of Irish/English origin and a big fan of football and particularly Manchester United. He played football at a young age for the Bedford Park Tigers. He attended St Thomas More Catholic School. His younger brother is an aspiring boxer.
At 18, he was mugged by a group of strangers on the street and was left with four metal plates and screws in his jaw that "still hurt when winter comes". He trained to become a professional footballer. He played for Luton Town for a while, tried for Northampton Town and Aston Villa. But he was later released. He worked briefly at Costa Coffee. He told Music Week: "I was close to playing over in the States but something was telling me not to and obviously it was the music".
His musical beginnings are obscure, but he says he was at a house party where he sang "Seaside" from The Kooks. He didn't remember it, but his friends were impressed and pushed him into performing more. He studied acting at university. Also at age 18, he started doing gigs around London with his acoustic guitar, mainly in small pub appearances for almost three years. After a performance at Finsbury pub, a representative of Insanity Records heard him play and offered a contract. His debut EP, Something in the Water was produced by Charlie Hugall. He had his big break when he was featured in the Chase & Status 2016 single "All Goes Wrong" that was picked as "Hottest Record" on Annie Mac's Radio 1 Show. After that he was invited for an appearance on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge, and a follow up appearance on BBC Two's show Later... with Jools Holland.[5] The song charted in the UK Singles Chart peaking at number 65. It also charted in Scotland and some European charts.
In 2017, he was shortlisted for MTV Brand New Award singing at MTV Showcase at London's Electric Ballroom on 2 February 2017).[7] Also in 2017, he had a cameo appearance in Charli XCX's music video for her song "Boys" alongside many well-known artists and duetted with grime MC Bugzy Malone on "Memory Lane". He performed in Trafalgar Square during the F1 Live in London show in support of Formula One drivers. He started an all UK tour in March 2018 in support of his upcoming album Lighting Matches due for release in July 2018. His song "Found What I've Been Looking For" appears on the FIFA 18 soundtrack and is also used by Sky Sports as the theme song for Super Sunday.
If Only
Tom Grennan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll stop pretending
I made my bed
The one you laid in
I'll keep my enemies close
Throw the dogs another bone
Now watch 'em run
(Now watch 'em run)
When will I learn
Love's religion
Instead it burns
There's something missing
In your garden flowers grow
But you chose the ugly rose
We're out of touch
We're out of touch
For the skies are falling down on me
And I've cried my lonely self to sleep
Could you imagine if only
The clocks stopped working
And time stopped turning
Could you imagine if only
The years repeated
And I could keep it
Could you imagine if only (oh, oh-oh-oh)
I've been begging
Hope you're listening
I've done my wrongs
But I'm someone different
Take what I say with a pinch of salt
Yes, I know I've got my faults
But I got 'em from you
I got 'em from you
And the skies are falling down on me
And I've cried my lonely self to sleep
Could you imagine if only
The clocks stopped working
And time stopped turning
Could you imagine if only
The years repeated
And I could keep it
Could you imagine if only
The clocks stopped working
And time stopped turning
Could you imagine if only
The years repeated
And I could keep it
Could you imagine if only
We've stood still
They've watched us healing
You can't break me
I've got my freedom
Found my roots
And I dig them deeper
Whoa, we've stood still
They've watched us healing
You can't break me
I've got my freedom
Found my roots
And I dig them deeper
Could you imagine if only
The clocks stopped working
And time stopped turning
Could you imagine if only
The years repeated
And I could keep it
Could you imagine if only
The clocks stopped working
And time stopped turning
Could you imagine if only
The years repeated
And I could keep it
Could you imagine if only
The lyrics of "If Only" by Tom Grennan convey a sense of longing and dissatisfaction with a past relationship. The song begins with the singer acknowledging that they have been pretending and laying in the bed their partner made for them. They express a desire to keep their enemies close and throw them a bone, implying a need for control and power. However, the singer also admits their inability to learn from past mistakes and the burning feeling of something missing in their life. The reference to flowers growing in a garden but choosing the ugly rose suggests that they have settled for less than they deserve or desire.
The chorus of the song expresses a yearning for a different reality, where time stops and the years repeat themselves so that they can hold onto a certain moment or feeling. This desire for a different reality is emphasized in the bridge, where the singer begs for their words to be heard and acknowledges their past wrongdoings while asserting their personal growth and independence. The final lines of the song speak of standing still, healing, and finding freedom through self-discovery and deepening roots.
Overall, "If Only" reflects on the complexities of relationships and the longing for a different reality where past mistakes can be undone and a sense of fulfillment can be achieved.
Line by Line Meaning
When will this end
I am longing for the current situation to come to a resolution
I'll stop pretending
I will cease pretending to be okay with how things are
I made my bed
I am responsible for the consequences of my actions
The one you laid in
The situation I am currently in was created by your involvement
I'll keep my enemies close
I will maintain a close watch on those who wish harm upon me
Throw the dogs another bone
I will provide distractions or incentives to divert attention away from my problems
Now watch 'em run
Observe as they eagerly chase after the distractions or incentives
When will I learn
I wonder when I will finally grasp the lesson
Love's religion
The beliefs and principles that govern love
Instead it burns
Yet, love seems to cause pain and suffering
There's something missing
I feel an absence or lack in my life
In your garden flowers grow
Within your life, positive aspects thrive
But you chose the ugly rose
Yet, you opted for something undesirable or flawed despite the available beauty
We're out of touch
We have lost connection or understanding with each other
For the skies are falling down on me
The weight of my problems is overwhelming me
And I've cried my lonely self to sleep
I have shed tears alone in my sadness before falling asleep
Could you imagine if only
Can you envision a scenario where
The clocks stopped working
Time ceased its relentless progress
And time stopped turning
And the continuous forward flow of time halted
The years repeated
Past years and experiences were replayed in a loop
And I could keep it
And I had the ability to retain or preserve those moments
I've been begging
I have pleaded earnestly
Hope you're listening
I desire for you to pay attention and understand
I've done my wrongs
I have made mistakes and caused harm
But I'm someone different
Yet, I have changed and transformed
Take what I say with a pinch of salt
Approach my words skeptically or with caution
Yes, I know I've got my faults
I am aware of my flaws and shortcomings
But I got 'em from you
But it was from your influence or example that I acquired them
We've stood still
We have remained stagnant or stationary
They've watched us healing
Others have observed our process of recovering and finding solace
You can't break me
You do not possess the power to shatter my spirit
I've got my freedom
I have attained a sense of liberation and autonomy
Found my roots
I have discovered and connected with my origins or fundamental values
And I dig them deeper
And I am further entrenching myself in them with determination
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Fergus Brignall, Harley Alexander-Sule, Tom Grennan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Best Bea
"If Only"
When will this end
I'll stop pretending
I made my bed
The one you laid in
I'll keep my enemies close
Throw the dogs another bone
Now watch 'em run
Now watch 'em run
When will I learn
Love's religion
Instead it burns
There's something missing
In your garden flowers grow
But you chose the ugly rose
We're out of touch
Were out of touch
And the skies are falling down on me
And I've cried my lonely self to sleep
Could you imagine if only
The clocks stopped working
And time stopped turning
Could you imagine if only
The years repeated
And I could keep it
Could you imagine if only
I've been begging
Hope you're listening
I've done my wrongs
But I'm someone different
Take what I say with a pinch of salt
Yes, I know I've got my faults
But I got 'em from you
I got 'em from you
And the skies are falling down on me
And I've cried my lonely self to sleep
Could you imagine if only
The clocks stopped working
And time stopped turning
Could you imagine if only
The years repeated
And I could keep it
Could you imagine if only
The clocks stopped working
And time stopped turning
Could you imagine if only
The years repeated
And I could keep it
Could you imagine if only
We've stood still
They've watched us healing
You can't break me
I've got my freedom
Found my roots
And I dig them deeper
Whoa, we've stood still
They've watched us healing
You can't break me
I've got my freedom
Found my roots
And I dig them deeper
Could you imagine if only
The clocks stopped working
And time stopped turning
Could you imagine if only
The years repeated
And I could keep it
Could you imagine if only
The clocks stopped working
And time stopped turning
Could you imagine if only
The years repeated
And I could keep it
Could you imagine if only
❤❤❤❤ perfect
AndyWardinho
1st Don't Break the Heart
2nd Found What I've Been Looking For
3rd Run in the Rain
4th If Only
5th Lucky Ones
6th Little Bit of Love
7th Make My Mind Up
8th All Goes Wrong
9th Memory Lane
10th Something better
Kabort Motorsport
Just discovered Tom this evening. Absolute BANNNGERRRSSS! Every. Single. Song.
Generic Username
You should listen to lighting matches (his last album) if you haven’t already. I recommend all of them
Yolani Erasmus
Yes GOD!! I was thinking the exact same thing!
Logan Hutchinson
Welcome
archieese
Ikrrrr
Julie Perkins
Love your songs tom
Amy Hields
This is in my opinion the best song on the album, literally obsessed with it
Sanndra
You're the most powerful energy through your sound! I listen to your music everyday, on my ways, in my home, in my ''running for the bus'' and I absorb all the creativity, power, feeling, emotion you put into it. You deserve to recieve back what you give to people through your songs, pure positivity 🖤
Michael Scofield
Do you have insta?
Sanndra
@Michael Scofield yes, what's your username?