They began as studio engineers at Mickie Most's RAK recording studio in London, engineering music for British groups like the Pet Shop Boys, Young Disciples, and Robert Plant. In 1997 they were asked by a college friend, Nigel Godrich (who was busy producing 'OK Computer'), to remix Radiohead's "Climbing Up the Walls". They called the mix "the Zero 7 Mix" which stuck.
On My Own
Zero 7 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
she'll sing my voice to anyone,
she bore my teeth in lover's creed,
differently to anyone.
There's just no way of leaving,
it's midnight in a perfect world,
stay with me,
She flatters to deceive me,
while lonely creatures gather round,
hand in hand,
trying not to fall.
(Chorus) What will it take for me to learn from my mistakes before this reputation takes me down?
When will I learn to go home,
to my fears,
before this reputation takes me down?
I'm in love,
I'm in love,
On my own.
I'm in love,
in love,
On my own. (x2)
I fell in love in a bathroom stall,
I said, "I've never felt like this before,"
Like the night was ours, the wolves had gone,
she grinned at me and said, "I'm yours."
She needs me I'm not leaving,
speaks to me in perfumed words,
indiscrete,
echos from the walls.
If only you could see me,
dancing with the perfect girl,
cheek to cheek,
trying not to fall.
(Chorus)
I'm in love,
I'm in love,
On my own,
On my own.
I'm in love,
in love,
On my own. (x3)
The lyrics to "On My Own" by Zero 7 feat. Danny Pratt depict a complicated relationship that is built on deception, loneliness, and a desire for love. The first verse describes the female character as someone who hides her flaws while singing the singer's voice to anyone. This could suggest that she is trying to fill an emotional void with meaningless connections, using the singer's voice as a tool to attract others. The line "she bore my teeth in lover's creed, differently to anyone" implies that although she is using the singer's voice to seduce others, she has a unique connection to him. She fulfills him in a way that no one else can.
The chorus reveals a sense of regret and a desire to break the cycle of mistakes. The singer questions when he will finally learn from his mistakes before his reputation takes him down. He wants to return home to face his fears before it's too late. The line "I'm in love, in love, on my own" suggests that although he is in a relationship, he feels alone because of the deception that exists between them. The final verse describes how the singer fell in love with the female character in a bathroom stall. She tells him that she's his, and he can sense that she needs him. He describes their conversations as filled with perfumed words and echoes. This imagery suggests that their relationship is based more on image and illusion than it is on substance. Overall, the song explores the complexities of relationships that are built on deception and the desire for affection.
Line by Line Meaning
Imporous as she hides her pores,
She is trying to hide her flaws and insecurities from others.
she'll sing my voice to anyone,
She will recount my story to anyone who will listen.
she bore my teeth in lovers creed,
She believed in the love we shared more than anyone else.
differently to anyone.
She loved me in a unique and incomparable way.
There's just no way of leaving,
I cannot escape this situation.
it's midnight in a perfect world,
Despite the late hour, everything is ideal.
stay with me,
Please don't leave me alone.
and we can have it all.
We can pursue our dreams and achieve greatness.
She flatters to deceive me,
She manipulates me with false praise and compliments.
while lonely creatures gather round,
Other isolated individuals are drawn to her.
hand in hand,
They are holding onto each other for support.
trying not to fall.
They are attempting to stabilize themselves emotionally.
What will it take for me to learn from my mistakes before this reputation takes me down?
I need to learn from my past errors in judgment before they ruin my reputation.
When will I learn to go home,
When will I finally retreat to a place of safety and comfort?
to my fears,
To face and confront my anxieties head-on.
I'm in love,
I have strong feelings of affection for someone.
On my own.
I am experiencing these emotions independently.
I fell in love in a bathroom stall,
I developed romantic feelings in an inopportune setting.
I said, "I've never felt like this before,"
I expressed my surprise and disbelief about my emotional intensity.
Like the night was ours, the wolves had gone,
We felt like we were alone in the world, free and uninhibited.
she grinned at me and said, "I'm yours."
She expressed her commitment and dedication to our relationship.
She needs me I'm not leaving,
She requires my support and companionship, which I am willing to provide.
speaks to me in perfumed words,
She communicates with me in a poetic and flirtatious manner.
indiscrete,
She is not cautious or secretive about our relationship in public settings.
echos from the walls.
Our conversations reverberate and amplify in this enclosed space.
If only you could see me,
If only you could witness my happiness and fulfillment.
dancing with the perfect girl,
I am enjoying an idyllic moment with my ideal partner.
cheek to cheek,
We are intimately close and affectionate with each other.
trying not to fall.
We are attempting to preserve and prolong this moment of bliss.
On my own.
Despite my strong emotions, I am still alone in my innermost thoughts and feelings.
Contributed by Caroline T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
jon bragg
Serious grooves indeed
What a vocal!
Sublime with Z7
Absolutely tremendous!
Erica Gresham
I like how the song has a 80's vibe but with a modern day twist.
CRASS2047
So fucking good! 70’s disco bass and drums with 80’s brit pop vocals mixed by the best engineers to ever mix a song. I love all of their music, but as a beginner producer I hear the mixes more than anything. I would give just about anything to get one of my songs mixed by Zero 7
Ben Cranston
Yes to all above!
CHAOSDixieMan
The buildup is one of the best I've heard in a while, I just love the dark vibes it gives and how it's slowly transitioning to brighter ones, like a sunrise
tom57175
This is so chill I love it so much.
TD NYC
I love this track!! And the evolution of their sound!!
Samantha Shostak
Zero 7 can do no wrong 🖤
Westlake72
If this record had decent production it would be an 8/10 but as Zeros 7's production is so completely sumptuous and beautiful it brings it up to 9.5/10
CRASS2047
Their mixes are the best I’ve ever heard. Makes sense , since they both started as engineers......From what I heard anyway.