Razorlight reflects on their biggest hit as band approaches 20th anniversary
Razorlight’s Johnny Borrell has revealed that the band nearly never recorded what became their biggest hit, “America.” Back in 2005, Borrell and newly recruited drummer Andy Burrows were working on a Billy Joel-inspired song initially titled “Lost in America.” Despite Borrell’s fondness for the track, he felt it did not quite embody Razorlight’s essence, reports BritPanorama.
Borrell envisioned a different path for the song. “I was a little ahead of myself. I thought, ‘We’ll give it to some artist, they can have a hit with it, and then years later they’ll find out that we’ve written it, and it’ll be super cool.’” However, no artists accepted the song. “We gave it to the publishers, and they found nobody,” he explained.
The demo lay unused while Razorlight’s debut album, Up All Night, achieved success with hits such as “Golden Touch.” Eventually, Borrell revisited the track in the studio, adding a distinct riff reminiscent of John Frusciante from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, which he likened to the first song he ever wrote. The reinvigorated track became “America,” solidifying itself as the band’s iconic number one hit. “Once we’d recorded it, I was a fan of it,” Borrell noted. “I remember going around on my scooter back then and singing it. It was a catchy song, right?”
Despite mixed critical reviews, the public embraced “America.” Released in October 2006 following their self-titled second album’s debut that July, the song rapidly gained traction. “[The label] rang us to say, ‘There’s no way this song’s going to number one’,” Burrows recalled, to which Borrell responded, “That message didn’t get to me.”
In 2006, while celebrating the band’s success, Borrell discovered they had reached number one during a meal at a Chinese restaurant. While he appreciated the achievement, he seemed more focused on what lay ahead. “Okay, so what’s next?” he remarked.
At the height of their fame, Razorlight enjoyed commercial success, with over 1.6 million album sales in the UK alone. Their performance at Live 8 in 2005 further raised their profile, yet the success came with its challenges for Borrell. Despite high-profile relationships, he felt unequipped for the mainstream. “I’m not the guy who’s gonna suddenly go on The Voice and embrace the cuddly TV world,” he said.
Personal struggles grew amidst fame as Borrell grappled with tabloid scrutiny and invasive media interest. He acknowledged that perhaps the pressures were more than he anticipated, asking Burrows, “I don’t know, maybe I totally lost it.” Burrows reassured him, reflecting on how Borrell found the intensity overbearing while he enjoyed the perks of being a drummer.
As Razorlight reached their critical mass, Borrell’s stage presence became undeniable. “If when I’m onstage, there’s a room full of people going, ‘Boo! I hate this!’ I know there’s a problem,” he articulated. However, increasing tensions within the band, evidenced by a reported fistfight between Borrell and Burrows in late 2006, cast a shadow on their success.
With rising discord, the group inevitably faced disintegration. By 2011, Borrell was the sole remaining member, after Burrows departed in 2009, and their relationship fell into a decade of silence, broken only sporadically through media commentary.
Looking back, Burrows expressed regret over his departure, wishing he had opted for a personal hiatus instead. Borrell concurred, acknowledging that misunderstandings under pressure often led them in the wrong direction. “But that is very often the way. Your twenties is all about learning how to negotiate relationships,” he said.
Now, both musicians appear reconciled, preparing for an intimate acoustic show for dedicated fans while also working on new music. They’ll also tour to mark the 20th anniversary of their self-titled album. “It’ll be a classic Razorlight show,” Borrell assured, highlighting their commitment to spontaneity in performance.
“Lost in America” is out now. Razorlight tour the 20th anniversary of their self-titled album from November.
