“Steve's been a big influence on a lot of my decisions about song writing and direction over the last few years” Barnes says. “I don't think I had fully realised the importance of a good melody until I started spending more time listening to music with him. We started passing basement demos back and forth between us, and it was his arrangement for the choir part at the end of ‘Sing to God' that made me and the other guys in my band realise we needed to dramatically up our game.”
Disorientating and captivating in equal measure during early appearances in Student Union bars and basement venues either side of the Pennines, as well as at European festivals Melt and Reeperbahn, the Leeds-based artist’s early performances took on the guise of a man vs. machine solo rock opera. Songs were constructed on stage as he writhed about on his stool like Silver Apples on uppers - the transmissions from his web of loop pedals, keyboards, pads and samplers seemingly coursing through his body’s contortions. More Stately Mansions hasn’t changed the process much, it’s just that – as he puts it – “the extra pairs of hands aren’t channels on a loopstation or sample libraries anymore, they’re owned by other people with their own ideas.”
Mostly recorded at Chapel Studios in Lincolnshire, with vocals put down in an isolated cottage in the middle of Wales, More Stately Mansions deals with unashamedly bold brush strokes. Songs like ‘Sing To God’s’ gossamer strings strike delicately amidst rumbling percussion and several moments of histrionic guitar malevolence that recall those aforementioned teenage influences; the title track’s layered vocals hark back to Queen in their mid-70’s pomp, while ‘Macbeth, Macbeth, Macbeth’ rises and falls on a series of scything post-hardcore riff acrobatics.
“I've never really been interested in stuff that just stays on a level and sits in the background,” Barnes admits. “I like music that really commands your attention and listening, and for me that's very rarely music that doesn't have a sense of width to it. I'm never happy with the idea of just doing the verse part again and then the chorus part again and cracking on with the next song. I always want to explore the ways in which things can continually build and then be knocked down.”
All of this is cut through with a climactic vocal that bores out vestiges of Jeff Buckley, or even Freddie Mercury, delivered with an overwhelming sincerity that goads its audience out of apathy and into a reaction, an expressive way of performing that Barnes has embraced since childhood. “I remember being seven years old and hearing the first few bars of 'It's a Hard Life' by Queen and being completely blown away by how Freddie Mercury's voice holding those huge, intense notes made me feel. I’ve certainly had an aversion to the trend of singers who would heavily manner their voice to sound unique or idiosyncratic too; I’ve always found it incredibly powerful when a human voice is creating the emotional drive in a piece of music.”
All I Have
Charlie Barnes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics of Charlie Barnes's song All I Have seem to be about the struggle of living up to one's own potential and striving for personal success despite the pressures of society. The singer is determined to see their own goal through to the end, even if it means taking risks and putting everything they have into it. However, they also acknowledge the frustration of feeling like others are always ahead and wondering if their effort will really pay off in the end.
The line "But it's all I have all I have" is particularly poignant, as it highlights the sense of urgency and passion driving the singer's pursuit of their dream. They are willing to put themselves through the fear and uncertainty that comes with taking risks, because they believe in themselves and their abilities. Despite the possibility of failure, the singer chooses to keep fighting and trying their best, because their passion and drive are the only things they truly have in life.
Overall, the lyrics of All I Have convey a message of perseverance and determination in the face of obstacles. The singer recognizes that the road to success is never easy, but they are determined to make the most of their abilities and take their shot at achieving their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
I bet my life on this
I am fully committed to this endeavor and have staked everything on its success.
And by god I'll finish it
I am determined to see this through to the end, no matter the cost.
It's mine to gamble with
This is my project to risk and potentially lose everything over.
And I'll wear whatever fits
I will accept the consequences and criticisms of my actions as they come.
I know we all get worn down by our work
I understand that everyone becomes exhausted by their ambitions and labor.
And we're left wondering what it's all worth
We often question the value and purpose of all our efforts.
Somebody else will always get there first
Someone else may achieve similar dreams before I do.
When will my generation ever learn?
I am frustrated with my peers for not comprehending the importance of perseverance.
But it's all I have all I have
This endeavor is everything to me, my entire life's work.
And even though it scares me half to death
Though the risks are daunting, I cannot abandon this goal.
Oh it's all I have all I have
This is the only thing that matters to me.
I try and try and try and try my best
I devote all my energy and effort towards this goal.
The sum of all I have done
My entire life's work and accomplishments put together.
Might not add up to much
My efforts may not seem impressive, even to myself.
Some corners can be cut
Maybe shortcuts can lead to success, but I am reluctant to take them.
And I'll bet my heroes would
I think my role models would approve of my dedication and values.
Hope all this half-arsed work I've done is worth
I hope that all the effort I've put in, however imperfect or incomplete, proves worthwhile.
However much a man my age can earn
I am aware that my age and experience may limit my potential income and success.
Every time I've half a mind to through the towel in
When I feel like giving up, quitting altogether.
I fight it I fight it
I resist these urges and keep going, motivated by my determination to succeed.
I might as well make something good of it
Since all my efforts are focused on this one goal, I might as well make it as worthwhile and fulfilling as possible.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Charles Barnes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pepavasata6790
LYRICS:
I bet my life on this
And by god, I'll finish it
It's mine to gamble with
And I'll wear whatever fits
I know we all get worn down by our work
And we're left wondering what it's all worth
Somebody else will always get there first
When will my generation ever learn
But it's all I have
All I have
And even though it scares me half to death
Oh it's all I have
All I have
I try and try and try and try my best
The sum of all I have done
Might not add up to much
Some corners can be cut
And I'll bet my hero's would
Hope all this half-arsed work I've done is worth
However much of mad my age can earn
But it's all I have
All I have
And even though it scares me half to death
Oh it's all I have
All I have
I try and try and try and try my best
Every time I’ve half a mind to throw the towel in
I fight it, I fight it
Every time I’ve half a mind to throw the towel in
I fight it, I fight it
'Cause it's all I have
All I have
I might as well make something good of it
But it's all I have
All I have
And even though it scares me half to death
Oh it's all I have
All I have
I try and try and try and try my best
@banditbuddies728
I can just imagine walking down a street and seeing a grown man in a suit lip syncing aggressively at a wall, would be the highlight of my day if im being honest.
@hannahh1491
LOVE this song!!
The lyrics really fitwith my chronic illness life. This is the only life I have and living with complex medical issues does scare me sometimes. I always try my best no matter the situation. I’ve wanted to give up on this journey on several times having become suicidal but I fought it. I was given this life for a reason so I might as well try and make something good of it! 🥰
@_s_6119
Charlie is so madly talented and his music is simply incredible. He deserves all the love and support. And lots of recognition for this upcoming masterpiece aka his album. This kind of music/artwork deserves to be seen and heard. This is some raw talent and passion here. An underrated gift to the music industry. I will tresure this and I am in love with this kind of music he makes. Someone give this man an award.
@chrisazylum6624
Happy birthday Charlie Barnes!
Also I love the literal depiction of feeling like you're talking to a brick wall!
@sherrimoon4705
Coffee, donuts and Rock Cafe to let off some steam 😀
@valeriaandrade8132
Eu amo charile Barnes membro de turnê da bastille
@rangerkanootsen6832
this is LEGENDARY!!! well done Charlie, it's a banger!!!
@CM-fw6hz
I found him looking for Charlie Berens and wasn't disappointed
@frizbigmaz
This is crazy good!
I keep shouting "ALL I HAVE" off the top of my lungs, like an insane person.
Those drums, organs, and then the guitar like a cherry on a top of a cake!
And then, the end of the video to wrap it all up.
Just brilliant!
@Johnyjohnjon
Back at it again with dem falsettos and crazy vibratos!