Donning his tr… Read Full Bio ↴Billy Lockett is a British musician from Northampton.
Donning his trademark leather jacket and set to transform the music of the stereotypical indie wild child, a youthful, self-taught, ambitious Billy Locket began 2011 with an armoury of tracks ranging from flawless piano playing [Heartache] to catchy, punchy feel good tunes [One That Got Away]; all aided by a uniquely soulful voice that leaves crowds muttering choruses into the night... and you thought Northampton only produced good shoes.
Hidden away in a quaint, terraced house, beneath years of prestigious artwork and creative awe, in a basement full to the brim of old slot machines, canvases, board games and band equipment, lurks the infectious sound of Billy Lockett; the towns best kept, home grown, musical prodigy in the making. Call it “acoustic-pop with a hint of indie”, call it “indie-piano with a tint of pop”; all we know is there’s some serious method in the music he’s making.
Billy’s lived in Northampton his whole life, yet it only clicked that he wanted to make something of himself when he turned 16. “You can’t win if you don’t play” is a quote that sticks out for him as he reminisces about the days he used to 7-ball all the drunks at the local pub. Although blessed with musical talent, Billy never realised he could truly make something of himself until he actually played the cards he’d been dealt [Follow me] and took his music out of his bedroom. “One day I thought to myself, get out of your room and work on your music... Show people why you’re doing it and what you’re capable of...”
Lockett starting playing piano aged 8; His Mum had originally wanted to take it up but after she lost the enthusiasm to play Billy took the reins and started jamming. From then onwards he played classical piano all through his early school days, and when his father’s friends came around to jam, he’d jump on the piano and join in - Never once did he have any lessons though. Then, at 15, he realised that there wasn’t much of a future in going to the pub, having a coke, mopping up the drunkards and chalking his cue, so he started a band. Sure, he might start where he left off; performing in a dingy little pub in front of an abundance of drunken people, who are applauding at a unique talent they wish they had, but there would only be one way up.
Although Lockett managed to overcome the challenges that face a sheltered upbringing and find what he’s been put on this earth to pursue, he confesses that his biggest musical achievement to date is the construction of Billy Lockett; “Getting the foundations in place, getting a great set, getting a manager, that’s what I’m really proud of”.
Like most perfectionists, Lockett admits that he can’t truly appreciate music when it comes down to his own and other artists singing and song writing because he’s “always listening out for how they’re doing things, or a certain piano note, or guitar riff”. Despite this, highly respected Radiohead are among one of the handful of bands that have influenced Lockett’s career as a singer songwriter; “what I like about them is how experimental and different they try to be, they don’t just stick to verse-chorus-verse-chorus with their songs, and that’s something I’ve tried to incorporate into my own material.” This definitely shines through in Billy’s latest track, ‘Clinging On’, where he is unusually experimental on certain keys and patterns, complimented by loop pedals and unique sounds; the song is also progressive all the way through, constantly building towards something bigger and better. This progression of sound is a tribute to the big sound of Massive Attack whom Billy also ranks as a crucial influence in his journey of song writing.
Although Lockett’s striving to be a “breath of fresh air” for the music industry, he is well aware that his “job is to create music that the public will like”.
Pathways
Billy Lockett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's been bursting with ideas
Locked in fears can't escape
Make a move, follow through
It's not easy when the men
Wearing suits decide your fate
Playing bars for my best friends
Where the only one who's listening
Doesn't care where it all ends
So maybe I'm wrong, maybe I'm right
Give me the chance and I'll prove to you
Show you I'm strong, show you I'll fight
Show me the way and I'll follow through
It isn't easy for me no matter who I am
So tell me I'm wrong, tell me I'm right
And I'll sing for you tonight
Another office, another box
Another dream they're selling off
You're seduced by shiny shoes
You'll be a star, you'll go far
Just forget about who you are
Magazines, front cover news
It used to be about the music
Playing bars for my best friends
Where the only one who's listening
Doesn't care where it all ends
So maybe I'm wrong, maybe I'm right
Give me the chance and I'll prove to you
Show you I'm strong, show you I'll fight
Show me the way and I'll follow through
It isn't easy for me no matter who I am
So tell me I'm wrong, tell me I'm right
And I'll sing for you
'Cause I'll stop believing in everything they say
Because you support me in every single way
Maybe I'm wrong, maybe I'm right
Give me the chance and I'll prove to you
Show you I'm strong, show you I'll fight
Show me the way and I'll follow through
So maybe I'm wrong, maybe I'm right
Give me the chance and I'll prove to you
Show you I'm strong, show you I'll fight
Show me the way and I'll follow through
It isn't easy for me no matter who I am
So tell me I'm wrong, tell me I'm right
And I'll sing for you tonight
The song "Pathways" by Billy Lockett explores the struggles and challenges faced by an artist trying to make it in the music industry. The opening lines describe the exhaustion and mental strain of constantly having new ideas but feeling trapped by fears and self-doubt. The lyrics then delve into the pressures exerted by the music industry, personified by "men wearing suits," who hold the power to decide an artist's fate. The song then alludes to the commodification of music, where artists are marketed and sold like any other product.
Lockett contrasts this with the purity and joy he felt when performing for his friends in small bars. He longs for the simplicity of being able to focus on the music rather than the industry's demands. The chorus repeats the phrase "Maybe I'm wrong, maybe I'm right," conveying the conflicting emotions of self-doubt and determination that arise when trying to succeed in any field.
Line by Line Meaning
Tired eyes, heavy mind
Feeling exhausted and overwhelmed
It's been bursting with ideas
Having a lot of ideas and creativity
Locked in fears can't escape
Feeling trapped by fears and anxiety
Make a move, follow through
Take action and see it through to the end
It's not easy when the men
Difficulty in succeeding in life when not in the position of power
Wearing suits decide your fate
Those in high-ranking positions control your destiny
It used to be about the music
The original intent was about the art itself
Playing bars for my best friends
Performing for friends and loved ones
Where the only one who's listening
In a place where the art is appreciated for what it is
Doesn't care where it all ends
No expectation or pressure for the art to be anything other than itself
So maybe I'm wrong, maybe I'm right
Uncertainty and doubt about one's creative path
Give me the chance and I'll prove to you
Asking for an opportunity to showcase abilities
Show you I'm strong, show you I'll fight
Persistence and dedication to succeed
Show me the way and I'll follow through
Desire for guidance and direction
It isn't easy for me no matter who I am
Struggle is universal regardless of status or identity
So tell me I'm wrong, tell me I'm right
Seeking validation and feedback
And I'll sing for you tonight
Performing as an expression of self
Another office, another box
Conformity and routine
Another dream they're selling off
Capitalism and commodification of dreams
You're seduced by shiny shoes
Enticed by shallow and superficial things
You'll be a star, you'll go far
False promises of fame and success
Just forget about who you are
Sacrificing individuality and authenticity
Magazines, front cover news
Popular media reinforcing societal norms and expectations
'Cause I'll stop believing in everything they say
Rejecting conformity and societal expectations
Because you support me in every single way
Feeling supported by those who encourage individuality and authenticity
Maybe I'm wrong, maybe I'm right
Uncertainty and doubt about the creative path remains
Give me the chance and I'll prove to you
Continuing to ask for an opportunity to succeed
Show me the way and I'll follow through
Still seeking guidance and direction
Contributed by Julia D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.