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.
Grand National
Courting Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We′re all just cracking the whip with some incredible force
Well, that's one hell of a trip
It's not quite justified
Well, I don′t care if it dies, it′s entertainment
Don't call it cruel, define exploitation
Well, that′s one hell of a quip
Not quite biding well
And I wouldn't place a bet if you paid me
I′d always end up losing my money
On some stupid horse again
I'm not here to makе friends
Can′t you comprehend?
It's just not all that grand
Wе all gather on our artificial lawns
Discussing chemtrails and the problems at our schools
It's not my fault, you can′t tell me that I′m wrong
Well, I don't care for anything apart from my returns
And if I bet my 401k, what′s the harm?
Got to tuck my kid in in a new five-bedroom home
Don't wanna hear you complain about your loans
You′re just not qualified
I wouldn't place a bet if you paid me
I′d always end up losing my money
On some stupid horse again
I'm not here to make friends
Can't you comprehend?
It′s just not all that grand
And this is not my hill to die on
This is not my hill
Ugh
Grand, Grand National
Grand, Grand National
Grand, Grand National
Grand, Grand National
Grand, Grand National
Grand, Grand National
In “Grand National” by Courting, the lyrics explore the world of horse racing and the irony of the sport being viewed as entertainment rather than animal exploitation. The chorus repeats the line “I wouldn't place a bet if you paid me, I’d always end up losing my money on some stupid horse again.” This line suggests a sense of hopelessness and frustration in the singer's inability to win, as well as a recognition that the sport is not as grand as it may seem. The line “It's not my fault, you can’t tell me that I’m wrong” is a subtle nod towards society’s blind acceptance of the sport as normal, despite its questionable morality.
The verses delve into the idea that horse racing is all about profit, even when it comes at the cost of the horses themselves. The line "Got to tuck my kid in in a new five-bedroom home" highlights the wealth that can be gained from horse racing, but at the cost of the horse’s wellbeing. The line "It’s just not all that grand" serves as a condemnation of the same sport that society views as grand, hence the title of the song, “Grand National”.
Overall, the song critiques society's complacency and highlights the ethical issues surrounding horse racing.
Line by Line Meaning
It's just a question of sport, we're all just setting the course
We are all just engaged in a game and trying to create a favorable situation.
We're all just cracking the whip with some incredible force
We are all pressurizing ourselves and others to achieve our goals by using any possible methods.
Well, that's one hell of a trip
We are experiencing an intense journey filled with excitement.
It's not quite justified
The situation is not entirely reasonable, but we are still doing it anyway.
Well, I don't care if it dies, it's entertainment
We do not care about the horse's welfare as long as we get entertained.
Don't call it cruel, define exploitation
We prefer to call it exploitation rather than cruelty because it doesn't sound as bad.
Well, that's one hell of a quip
That is a clever comment or remark.
Not quite biding well
The situation or circumstances are not favorable.
And I wouldn't place a bet if you paid me
I am not interested in taking the risk of placing a bet even if I am offered money to do so.
I'd always end up losing my money
I know that I am not lucky with betting, and I will ultimately lose my money.
On some stupid horse again
I will lose my money on betting on some horse that I know nothing about.
I'm not here to make friends
I came here to win, and I am not interested in making any friends in the process.
Can't you comprehend?
Are you unable to understand or grasp the situation?
It's just not all that grand
The situation or the circumstances are not as fantastic or impressive as people make it out to be.
We all gather on our artificial lawns
We are all present in a synthetic and artificial environment with green lawns for the horse racing event.
Discussing chemtrails and the problems at our schools
We engage in discussions about various topics outside of horse racing like chemtrails and the issues in our schools.
It's not my fault, you can't tell me that I'm wrong
I refuse to acknowledge my mistakes or take responsibility for them, so, even if you point them out, I will deny them.
Well, I don't care for anything apart from my returns
I do not care about anything else but the money I will earn from winning the bet.
And if I bet my 401k, what's the harm?
I do not see any harm in betting my retirement money, even if it may not be wise.
Got to tuck my kid in in a new five-bedroom home
I have to make sure I have enough money to afford a luxurious lifestyle for me and my family.
Don't wanna hear you complain about your loans
I am not interested in hearing about your struggles and financial issues such as loans.
You're just not qualified
You are not competent enough to talk about the subject and to give me financial advice.
And this is not my hill to die on
This situation or topic is not something that I will fight for or defend till the end.
Grand, Grand National
An emphasis on the title and importance of the Grand National horse race.
Grand, Grand National
An emphasis on the title and importance of the Grand National horse race.
Grand, Grand National
An emphasis on the title and importance of the Grand National horse race.
Grand, Grand National
An emphasis on the title and importance of the Grand National horse race.
Grand, Grand National
An emphasis on the title and importance of the Grand National horse race.
Grand, Grand National
An emphasis on the title and importance of the Grand National horse race.
Writer(s): Courting
Contributed by Isabelle H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Exteemez
Loving this! Hope you come through with a killer full length project at some point. Listened to the EP and I'm dying for more already lol
@bentaylor3989
every day courting release a song my day is made 100x better
@alfieporter3345
cool story
@garethquirk2219
Exelent, hopefully they get an album out ASAP.
@lynnedanieli733
I love this.
@Courting
This is the Courting moment
@user-rg8dp7pd8k
can't wait for the 1st album… this is on another level
@PostBrexitPop
The Courting boys have done it again! Superb.
@waynewheeler7929
LOVE IT!
@cally033
Best song yet, keep smashing them out lads