One Two Another: Line By Line: Lyrics from The Charlatans, Solo and Beyond

by Tim Burgess

A Rough Trade Book of the Year

'From lists to experiences and stories, there are no rules. A good song is a good song whoever writes it and however the writing happens.'

Over the past three decades, Tim Burgess has cultivated a lyrical style that is equal parts searing, elusive and raw. Brimming with nods to an eclectic array of influences, from French chanson to East Coast rap, his words provide vivid snapshots of modern life, its highs and lows, and the things we do to get by.

For the first time Tim's collected lyrics are accompanied by his revealing commentary, featuring backstage anecdotes, advice on how to conjure up the music muse, poignant reflections - and insight into a very idiosyncratic songwriting process.

One Two Another chronicles the evolution of Tim's songwriting and reveals the method behind the madness.

'Tim Burgess is a crusader and vinyl's epic voyager. He knows why pop's art, a culture and a cure. Learn and listen. He knows good things' Johnny Marr

'You can't feel blue around Tim. He makes you feel happy, not just about music but about life. Even the most cynical of souls (mine) become infected by his gorgeous energy. Plus he gives good vinyl' Sharon Horgan

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

Published April 12, 2022

Reviews

[🌶 peppersocks 🧦 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reflections and lessons learned:
“I have always felt the turmoil of writing, the whole process of digging down deep emotionally and then delivering my feelings with a swagger that doesn’t come naturally”

I don’t think that I was there from the outset, but probably from about 1993/4 - for me it was like someone had crossed The Doors with early shoe gaze bands of the nineties for which of course I was going to be a fan. Microphone wiggling, jingly jangly reflective songs that it was impossible not to want to dance to. Then came the next stages - Jesus hairdo upbeat and happy, Chemical brothers Life is Sweet grooving, falsetto soul rock - no fear of tackling something different but the love of music was always apparent from Burgess and the band. The lyrics weren’t what we were used to - more like literature with heavy repetition but very much considered - did I ever know the full proper lyrics from the albums that I owned or shouting along at indie discos? Definitely not after reading this!

This book is a really considered analysis of the songs judged from the songwriters perspective but weaved around an autobiography of the songs and band. Not every song listed but that would be too predictable for this history, and it’s a huge back catalogue! So excited to read the direct influences at particular times (especially Tread Water by De La Soul - I need to dig that non Spotify cd out to be a car disc!!) The tragic history for the band is hard to ignore but is dealt with delicately with the love and reverence for the people shown. Only when listed together are the key themes obvious for why I love these songs and careers - not traditional rock approach but instead seeing in the human vulnerability and day to day emotions alongside surroundings and natural mood influences - clouds, skies and nature - the two elements that we can’t control but can accept and everyday and enjoy and be challenged as they come to us...

“It’s just about knowing where you come from Being you and singing love songs... I saw myself as a raw person. Full of faults, imperfect, a product of my environment. I never wanted to settle down with anyone who made things easy for me”

[Adam Parrilli · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a career! Probably the longest musical love of my storied record collection? Buying the debut at Record City and most recently Different Days on Amazon, one of the last CDs I bought.
Tim shares personal stories and background for all these cuts. My favorite anecdote is just how into hip hop he was circa 2001. Guy’s mad for the Wu Tang Clan and 👏🏻 for referencing De La Soul’s “Tread Water.” Charlatan fan I am...

[Jordan Phizacklea-Cullen · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know how it goes: you obsess over a rock star's artistic output through your teens, mishear lyrics that you hold dear to your heart, struggle to make sense of the more esoteric themes in their work, then 20 years later they put out a book of their lyrics and you hope all those questions will be answered. Of course, this book doesn't quite do that, but there's decent insight into Burgess' songwriting technique, although not all the annotations relate to the song they've been paired with or offer insight, but the lyrics themselves hold plenty to enjoy, even if inevitably it's difficult to appreciate them as verse when taken away from the music. Definitely for fans only, but not just for the completists.