Ayle… Read Full Bio ↴Barns Courtney (born Barnaby George Courtney on 17 November 1990 in
Aylesbury, England) is an English singer, songwriter and musician.
Courtney spent a large part of his childhood in Seattle,USA, before returning to home country UK as a 15-year-old. This change of scenery comes across as clearly in his eclectic mix of US blues-rock, hip-hop and grunge with British indie melodic sensibilities, as it does in his hybrid US-British twang.
Playing in various projects and bands growing up whilst developing his sound, Barns incarnation as a solo artist has been an unexpectedly fast paced one. At the end of 2015, his first track ‘Glitter & Gold’, with its rocking gospel-blues and Barns’ honey & sand delivery, soared to #1 on the UK Spotify Viral Chart, #2 on the iTunes Alternative Chart, was added to the BBC Introducing Playlist, clocked hundred of thousands of plays on YouTube, and was featured on the ITV Winter 2015 drama reel, all in the span of two months.
‘Goodbye John Smith’, a poignant piano ballad that channels ageless song-and-voice men such as Johnny Cash and Tom Waits, hit the radars of tastemakers online and further spread the word about Barns, earning him a spot as one of Channel 4’s Future Sounds artists that year.
Barns Courtney released his debut EP, ‘Hands’, a four-track collection, in 2016 on Virgin EMI.
Glitter & Gold
Barns Courtney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rise up, ting ting, like glitter and gold
I've got fire in my soul
Rise up, ting ting, like glitter
Like glitter and gold
Like glitter
Do you walk in the valley of kings?
Who sold their lives to a dream?
Do you ponder the manner of things
In the dark
The dark, the dark, the dark
I am flesh and I am bone
Arise, ting ting, like glitter and gold
I've got fire in my soul
Rise up, ting ting, like glitter
Like glitter and gold
Like glitter
Do you walk in the meadow of spring?
Do you talk to the animals?
Do you hold their lives from a string?
Do you ponder the manner of things
In the dark
The dark, the dark, the dark
I am flesh and I am bone
Arise, ting ting, like glitter and gold
I've got fire in my soul
Rise up, ting ting, like glitter
I am flesh and I am bone
Arise, ting ting, like glitter and gold
I've got fire in my soul
Rise up, ting ting, like glitter
'Cause everybody's in the backroom's
Spinning up
Don't know what you're asking for
And everybody's in the front room's
Tripping out
You left your bottle at the door
'Cause everybody's in the backroom's
Spinning up
Don't know what you're asking for
And everybody's in the front room's
Tripping out
You left your bong at the door
I am flesh and I am bone
Arise, ting ting, like glitter and gold
I've got fire in my soul
Rise up, ting ting, like glitter
Like glitter and gold
Like glitter
Like glitter and gold
Like glitter
The lyrics of Barns Courtney’s song “Glitter and Gold” explore the themes of individuality, self-worth, and the pursuit of one’s passions. The opening lines “I am flesh and I am bone, rise up ting ting, like glitter and gold" highlight the idea that everyone has inherent value, and that they should be confident in themselves and their abilities. The repeated phrase “Rise up, ting ting, like glitter” emphasizes the importance of taking action and grabbing opportunities, symbolized by the image of glitter sparkling and catching the eye. The image of fire in the soul is a powerful metaphor for passion and drive, with the implication that if one taps into this inner fire, they can rise to greatness.
The second verse shifts the focus to societal expectations and the pressure to conform. The questions “Do you walk in the valley of kings? Do you walk in the shadow of men who sold their lives to a dream?” speak to the idea of living up to the standards of those in power, often at the detriment of one’s own desires and individuality. The repeated refrain of “the dark, the dark, the dark” creates a sense of foreboding and ominousness, suggesting that following the conventional path can lead to a sense of emptiness or darkness.
The bridge of the song takes on a more playful tone, with the imagery of parties and social gatherings. The repeated lines “‘Cause everybody’s in the backroom spinning up, don’t know what you’re asking for / And everybody’s in the front rooms tripping out, you left your bottle at the door” create a sense of chaos and frivolity, celebrating hedonistic pleasure while also suggesting a lack of direction or purpose. The song ultimately encourages listeners to embrace their individuality and follow their inner fire, rather than conforming to societal expectations or getting lost in superficial pleasures.
Line by Line Meaning
I am flesh and I am bone
I am here in physical form, but the essence of who I am goes beyond just my physicality
Rise up, ting ting, like glitter and gold
Rise up with the same vibrancy and shine as glitter and gold
I've got fire in my soul
I have an inner passion that fuels me
Like glitter and gold
Like something bright and beautiful that catches the eye and draws attention
Do you walk in the valley of kings?
Are you accustomed to being around people who rule over others?
Do you walk in the shadow of men
Do you follow behind others, never living up to your own potential?
Who sold their lives to a dream?
Who gave up everything they had to chase after an unrealistic goal?
Do you ponder the manner of things
Do you think deeply about the nature of things?
In the dark, the dark, the dark
In the places where things are obscured and unclear
Do you walk in the meadow of spring?
Do you revel in the beauty and rejuvenation of new life?
Do you talk to the animals?
Do you have the ability to connect with creatures beyond humankind?
Do you hold their lives from a string?
Do you feel a sense of control over other beings?
'Cause everybody's in the backroom's / Spinning up / Don't know what you're asking for
The people in power are ignorant to what the rest of society wants, and are too caught up in their own worlds to care
And everybody's in the front room's / Tripping out / You left your bottle at the door
People everywhere are indulging in substances to escape reality, while someone forgot their drink
Like glitter and gold
Like something bright and beautiful that catches the eye and draws attention
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: SAM BARTLE, BARNABY COURTNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@roudaytoby5562
I am flesh and I am bone
Rise up, ting ting, like glitter and gold
I've got fire in my soul
Rise up, ting ting, like glitter
Like glitter and gold
Like glitter
Do you walk in the valley of kings?
Do you walk in the shadow of men?
who sold their lives to a dream?
Do you ponder the manner of things,
in the dark
the dark, the dark, the dark
I am flesh and I am bone
Arise, ting ting, like glitter and gold.
I've got fire in my soul
Rise up, ting ting, like glitter
Like glitter and gold
Like glitter
Do you walk in the meadow of spring?
Do you talk to the animals?
Do you hold their lives from a string?
Do you ponder the manner of things
in the dark
the dark, the dark, the dark
I am flesh and I am bone.
Arise, ting ting, like glitter and gold.
I've got fire in my soul
Rise up, ting ting, like glitter
I am flesh and I am bone.
Arise, ting ting, like glitter and gold.
I've got fire in my soul
Rise up, ting ting, like glitter
'Cause everybody in the backroom's spinning up
Don't know what you're asking for
And everybody's in the front room's tripping out
You left your bottle at the door.
'Cause everybody in the backroom's spinning up
Don't know what you're asking for
And everybody in the front room's tripping out
You left your bottle at the door
I am flesh and I am bone.
Arise, ting ting, like glitter and gold.
I've got fire in my soul
Rise up, ting ting, like glitter
Like glitter and gold
Like glitter
Like glitter and gold
Like glitter
@smylietime
LEGENDARY!!
People say good music doesn't exist in this generation;
Maybe they're not looking in the right places!
"Do you walk in the shadow of men
Who sold their lives to a dream?"
Food for thought.
@ayoub-lk3wf
You're gonna go far kid
That's real talent
@n.j.9282
ayoub 26
Idk if that was a The Offspring reference but I agree with it either way
@taxevadingraptor
Nora Joppe Same here 😂
@schr4pnel
@Nora J Same.
@jake4006
That is a very strong thing to say respect ✊ man
@schr4pnel
@King Kromulus That's literally what Nora said
@eylul4530
I don't get why this guy isn't a superstar.His music is so damn good.
@ADMNtek
because people have shit taste these days.
@copyandpaste2052
@Mickel Ntek Truest thing I have ever heard. The music on the radio these days makes me want to throw up.
@Ushio01
Considering how many of his songs he's licenced to films, film trailers and video games I wouldn't be worried about him.