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.
Rather Die
Barns Courtney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You′re reaching for the Heavens, only bark at the stars
Now all your hundred thousands best remember my name
I'd sucker punch an army if they got in my way
I came to kill ′em, now I'm
Wipin' the spit from my eyes
I take a beating, but I
Oh, oh, I think I′d rather die
I think I'd rather die
I think I′d rather
I think I'd rather die
I think I′d rather
I'm a kamikaze, you′re just turnin' me on
So light 'em up or smoke ′em like a nuclear bomb
Know sooner or later you′ll be singin' along
Like, "Ah na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na"
I came to kill ′em, now I'm
Wipin′ the spit from my eyes
I take a beating, but I
I'll never give up
Oh, oh, I think I′d rather die
I think I'd rather die
I think I'd rather
I think I′d rather die
I think I′d rather
Oh, oh, I think I'd rather die
I think I′d rather die
I think I'd rather
You see me shooting through the heavens like a holy laser
My powers of deduction cut you like your mornin′ razor
And if you want it like I want it, guess I'll see you later
′Cause Jesus made me outta flesh, and I'm a fornicator
You see me shooting through the heavens like a holy laser
My powers of deduction cut you like your mornin' razor
And if you want it like I want it, guess I′ll see you later
′Cause Jesus made me outta
Oh, oh, I think I'd rather die
I think I′d rather die
I think I'd rather
I think I′d rather die
I think I'd rather
Oh, oh, I think I′d rather die
I think I'd rather die
I think I'd rather
The lyrics to "Rather Die" by Barns Courtney contain themes of determination, ambition, and fearlessness. In the first verse, the singer boasts about their ability to reach for the stars and touch the planets, while their detractors only bark at the stars. The singer is willing to fight an entire army to reach their goals.
The chorus contains the repeated phrase "I think I'd rather die," which can be interpreted in different ways. It could mean that the singer is willing to risk everything, even their life, to achieve their dreams, or it could reflect their fearlessness in the face of danger. The second verse compares the singer to a kamikaze, someone who is willing to sacrifice themselves to achieve their goal. The line "so light 'em up or smoke ′em like a nuclear bomb" suggests that the singer is willing to go all out, without holding back.
The third verse contains more religious and sexual imagery, with the singer describing themselves as a "holy laser" that cuts through their opponents. The line "Jesus made me outta flesh, and I'm a fornicator" suggests that the singer is not a conventional or religiously accepted figure, but they are confident in their abilities and their path in life.
Overall, the lyrics to "Rather Die" reflect a sense of determination and fearlessness in the face of obstacles. The singer is willing to risk everything to achieve their goals, and they are undeterred by the critics or the possibility of failure.
Line by Line Meaning
I can touch the planets through the roof of my car
I have a strong sense of invincibility and can do anything I desire.
You're reaching for the Heavens, only bark at the stars
You have great ambition but lack the courage to take action to achieve it.
Now all your hundred thousands best remember my name
I am determined to leave a strong impression on everyone and make an impact in their lives.
I'd sucker punch an army if they got in my way
I am determined and fearless when it comes to my goals, even if it means going against a great force.
I came to kill 'em, now I'm Wipin' the spit from my eyes
I am a warrior who will stop at nothing to achieve my goals and overcome any obstacles that come my way.
I take a beating, but I I'll never give up
I am resilient and refuse to give up when things get tough.
Oh, oh, I think I'd rather die
I am so committed to my goals that I would rather die than give up on them.
I'm a kamikaze, you're just turnin' me on
I am driven by the risk and excitement of taking on challenges that others see as impossible.
So light 'em up or smoke 'em like a nuclear bomb
I am willing to take bold and reckless action to achieve my goals and leave a lasting impression.
Know sooner or later you'll be singin' along
I am confident that others will eventually see the value in my actions and join me in my mission.
Like, "Ah na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na"
Others will eventually recognize my power and sing my praises.
You see me shooting through the heavens like a holy laser
I am determined to rise to great heights and accomplish something truly awe-inspiring.
My powers of deduction cut you like your mornin' razor
I am intelligent and analytical, and can easily outsmart anyone in my way.
And if you want it like I want it, guess I'll see you later
I am so determined to achieve my goals that I will leave anyone behind who does not share my level of commitment.
'Cause Jesus made me outta flesh, and I'm a fornicator
I am a flawed human just like anyone else, but I will use my flaws to my advantage and achieve greatness.
Writer(s): Neil Richard Ormandy, Jerry Yeh, Barnaby Courtney
Contributed by Julian Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Andrew J. Casey
on Golden Dandelions
It's an upbeat song about death a loss.