Courting are a four-person post-punk band from Liverpool, United Kingdom. Read Full Bio ↴Courting are a four-person post-punk band from Liverpool, United Kingdom.

They formed in 2018, consisting of Sean Murphy-O'Neill (Vocals/Guitar), Sean Thomas (Drums), Joshua Cope (Guitar) and Connor McCann (bass) and quickly built a known reputation for themselves in the Liverpool music scene.

2019 brought them their first single "Not Yr Man" and several support slots with bands such as Heavy Lungs, FEET and Sports Team.

In January of 2020, they released fan-favourite single "Football". This was met with great critical reception and got them their first mainstream radio play on BBC Radio 1 and 6.

Lockdown hit and they released label-debut "David Byrne’s Badside" under Nice Swan Records.

In August, while restrictions were temporarily eased, they took to Whitewood Studios again to record "Grand National". Lead single "Popshop!" was released in November with the announcement of the EP. This took the band to a new horizon, with the addition of live guitarist/noisemaker – Josh Cope – a good friend of the band. Two remixes of the song from The Lounge Society and Home Counties were released shortly after.

In March 2021 they released the second single and title track from the EP, "Grand National". They announced their debut headline tour shortly after this release: including an upgrade of hometown headline (from Phase One to O2 Academy 2).

On April 9th, they released debut EP "Grand National" to high acclaim. The band toured extensively behind this in September 2021.

The band would then release their debut studio album "Guitar Music" the following year in 2022.

Football
Courting Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Just a shot into the net
Less he's dragged across the dregs
Got to keep it in his head
Got to keep it in his head
Got to keep it in his head
Or he'll never pay the rent
Got to keep it in his head
Or he'll never beat these, skets

Football! Football! Football, football

Well, it's the best of British life
It's the best of British life
And it helps to pass the time
Well it helps to pass the time
It'll make you quite the man
Don't you understand?
It's all part of the plan
Don't you understand? Nigel

Football! Football! Football, football

Yeah

Overall Meaning

In Courting's song "Football," the lyrics seem to be examining the importance and power that football holds in British society. The first lines suggest the idea of taking a shot and scoring a goal in a game, but also hint at the struggles that may come along with it, such as getting dragged down into the "dregs" or lower levels of society. The repetition of the phrase "Got to keep it in his head" emphasizes the pressure on the player to succeed in order to pay bills and beat out the competition.

As the chorus repeats "Football!" multiple times, it's clear that the song is celebrating and acknowledging the significance of the sport in the country. The lines "It's the best of British life" and "It'll make you quite the man" hint at the idea that playing football is seen as a crucial part of growing up and becoming a respected member of society. The use of the name "Nigel" in the final line could be seen as a reference to the stereotypical British name, further emphasizing the connection between football and British culture.

Overall, the lyrics of "Football" seem to be examining the complex relationship between football, success, and societal expectations, while also acknowledging the sport's powerful hold on British culture.

Line by Line Meaning

Just a shot into the net
Taking a chance to succeed

Less he's dragged across the dregs
Without being dragged down by negative influences

Got to keep it in his head
The importance of keeping focus

Or he'll never pay the rent
The consequences of not being successful

Or he'll never beat these, skets
Competition that must be overcome

Football! Football! Football, football
Emphasizing the importance of the sport

Well, it's the best of British life
A key part of British culture

And it helps to pass the time
An enjoyable way to spend free time

It'll make you quite the man
Associating success in football with masculinity

Don't you understand?
Challenging the listener's knowledge and appreciation of the sport

It's all part of the plan
Implying that football plays a significant role in society