The son of Dorsey Burnette and Alberta Burnette, Burnette was literally born into a musical family. His father, and his uncle Johnny Burnette, were two of the members of the 1950s band Johnny Burnette & The Rock 'n' Roll Trio which also included Paul Burlison. It is said that Burnette performed on occasion with the Trio around the age of three. Johnny had a son born around the time Billy was born named Rocky who also became a musician. It has been said that the term "rockabilly" comes from the combination of the two cousins' names, Rocky and Billy, however that is an unconfirmed rumor.
Burnette made his first recording when he was seven, appearing with Ricky Nelson on the 1960 song "Hey Daddy (I'm Gonna Tell Santa On You)". He toured with Brenda Lee while teaching himself to play guitar and, after graduating from high school in 1969, spent three years on the road as Roger Miller's rhythm guitarist.
In 1972, Burnette signed with Entrance Records and recorded his debut album, Billy Burnette. In 1979, he switched to Polydor Records and released his second album, again titled Billy Burnette. His third album, Between Friends (Polydor, 1979), contained "What's a Little Love Between Friends", which charted briefly on the low end of the Billboard country chart.
In 1982, Mick Fleetwood invited him to join the band The Zoo for the band's album "I'm Not Me" (RCA, 1983). When Lindsey Buckingham and Fleetwood Mac parted ways in 1987, Burnette, along with guitarist Rick Vito, were asked to join the band. At the end of 1991, Burnette helped Fleetwood Mac bassist John McVie with his first solo album. In 1994, Burnette reunited with Fleetwood Mac. After Fleetwood Mac went on hiatus in 1995, Burnette co-formed the country duo Bekka & Billy.
Meanwhile, in 1992 Burnette signed with Capricorn Records, which issued Coming Home. In 1999, he signed with Grand Avenue Records and released All Night Long. After a hiatus from solo albums, he released Memphis in Manhattan in 2006. Rock & Roll With It was released in 2011.
Life and Death
Billy Burnette Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You might as well just've cut my throat
You said I'm doing this for your own sake
And all of this has been a big mistake
It doesn't matter what you think is best
This is a matter of life and death
You said it hurts me more than it does you
You had me thinkin' it was paradise
All of a sudden it was cold, thin ice
I've fallen under, trying to catch my breath
This is a matter of life and death
You set me up to let me down
You took the love I couldn't live without
Two fatal words "Bye Bye"
Without your love you know I'll surely die
I never begged for anything before
I'm close to knockin' on St. Peters' door
Come on Baby, I'm down on my knees
You know my heart will never rest in peace
Grant me the only wish that I have left
This is a matter of life and death
You set me up to let me down
You took the love I couldn't live without
Two fatal words "Bye Bye"
Without your love you know I'll surely die
Don't kill the only one alive that loves you the best
This is a matter of life…and…death.
The lyrics to Billy Burnette's song "Life And Death" tell a story of heartbreak and desperation. The singer has received a note from someone they love, and it seems to indicate that the relationship is over. The singer is devastated and feels like their life is on the line. The person who wrote the note claims that they're doing what's best for the singer, but the singer can't see it that way. They're begging for the relationship to continue, and they feel like it's a matter of life and death.
The singer is clearly in a lot of pain, both emotionally and physically. They say that they're turning shades of blue and that they're close to knocking on St. Peter's door (a reference to the gates of heaven). They're willing to beg and plead for the relationship to continue, even though they know that they're putting their heart on the line.
Overall, the lyrics to "Life And Death" are a powerful depiction of heartbreak and desperation. They show how much a person can love someone else and how much they're willing to fight for that love, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
Line by Line Meaning
I found your note and that was all she wrote
I discovered your message and it was a final goodbye
You might as well just've cut my throat
Your note felt like a fatal wound
You said I'm doing this for your own sake
You claimed your decision was for my benefit
And all of this has been a big mistake
But now we both realize it was a huge error
It doesn't matter what you think is best
Your opinion on what's good for me is irrelevant
This is a matter of life and death
What's at stake is my survival
You said it hurts me more than it does you
You said that the pain you cause me also hurts you
Then why am I turnin' all these shades of blue
But I'm the one suffering in despair
You had me thinkin' it was paradise
You made me believe that everything was heaven
All of a sudden it was cold, thin ice
Until it was suddenly a dangerous and unstable situation
I've fallen under, trying to catch my breath
I'm struggling to stay afloat and breathe again
This is a matter of life and death
Because I'm still teetering on the brink of survival
You set me up to let me down
You put me in a position where I would inevitably be hurt
You took the love I couldn't live without
You removed the love that was my lifeline
Two fatal words 'Bye Bye'
Your goodbye was like a death sentence
Without your love you know I'll surely die
Without your affection, I'm certain I won't survive
I never begged for anything before
I've never pleaded for anything previously
I'm close to knockin' on St. Peters' door
I'm about to die and potentially gain entry into heaven
Come on Baby, I'm down on my knees
Please, I implore you, while I'm at my lowest
You know my heart will never rest in peace
Because I'll never be at ease without your love
Grant me the only wish that I have left
Please, since it's my only remaining desire
This is a matter of life and death
Please grant me this for my survival
Don't kill the only one alive that loves you the best
Please don't hurt the person who loves you the most
This is a matter of life…and…death.
My survival is the most critical thing right now
Contributed by Keira M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Joel Keller
I love love that song