Standing At The Sky's Edge

Album: Standing At The Sky's Edge (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This urban ballad is the title track of English singer-songwriter Richard Hawley's seventh album. The poignant lyrics describes the blighted lives of three characters who in their desperation turn to crime - a murderer, a prostitute and knife-wielding hoodlum - all laid low by the system. "I can't be the only one who's thinking that the present government are using the recession to push through policies that sew it all up for the privileged few," Hawley explained to The Guardian, refraining from judgment on the trio's criminal activities. "It's like they're kettling the rest of us in every way, closing us in and closing us down – shutting down libraries, restricting access to further education, hacking away at the NHS. I'm not a soapbox merchant but what defines a civilised society for me is that we look after the sick and the elderly, educate our kids, nourish and cherish the next generation and give them ideals that are worth sticking to."
  • Hawley has long referenced unsung corners of Sheffield's a-z in his song titles, and this track refers to Sky Edge, a rundown area of Hawley's home city, where a row of tower blocks built in the 1960s used to stand.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)Songwriter Interviews

Chad tells tales from his time as drummer for Nirvana, and talks about his group Before Cars.

Tanita Tikaram

Tanita TikaramSongwriter Interviews

When she released her first album in 1988, Tanita became a UK singing sensation at age 19. She talks about her darkly sensual voice and quirky songwriting style.

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Krishna Das

Krishna DasSongwriter Interviews

The top chant artist in the Western world, Krishna Das talks about how these Hindu mantras compare to Christian worship songs.

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & Tears

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & TearsSongwriter Interviews

The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.