"Saturnz Barz" reached number one on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart and number five on the US Hot Rock Songs chart. In November 2017, the staff of Rolling Stone ranked the song number 38 on their list of the 50 Best Songs of 2017.
"Saturnz Barz" was recorded by Damon Albarn, Remi Kabaka and Anthony Khan (The Twilite Tone) in Jamaica. In an interview with MistaJam on BBC Radio 1, Albarn revealed that the planned collaboration with Popcaan almost did not come to fruition, stating "He (Popcaan) came with quite a few of his friends. The session started about midnight, 1:00 in the morning...We worked all into the night but at the end of it I wasn't really feeling it, I don't know why. Next day, we had a chat, communicated and he came in and he did this. I think this is quite different to anything else he'd ever done. It's very personal. It tells a kind of alternate narrative to a lot of the ideas within modern dancehall."
Gorillaz have always been known for their collaborations, as has been seen across their various albums, including their self-titled debut album, "Demon Days" and "Plastic Beach". Albarn stated that the art of collaboration and the process of picking featured guests, however, was not merely a "random selection", but was only people with whom he connects. "After spending a few studio sessions together in Jamaica, we became fast friends. Necessity is the mother of invention...and he came out with this. It just fitted perfectly...And we've got this crazy tune. I mean it doesn't sound like anything else!" he said in the same interview. On 1 May 2022, the music video was re-uploaded to the Gorillaz YouTube channel with commentary from virtual band member Murdoc Niccals.
Saturnz Barz
Gorillaz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never heard any ting, got the Unruly Boss
Nuh
Hahaha
Press the button to begin
Cho
All my life
All my life
Mi pray say when mi get wealthy a ma a mi wife
All my life
The system force mi
Fi be a killer just like Rodney Price
All my life
No, all my life
Wah happen to you Cobe, some bwoy doh know mi
To how me ruff dem cah believe a grandma grow mi
Know few Popcaan song doh, and feel dem know mi
Four mile mi used to walk guh school, dem know man story?
Ha! Now mi gain up all those glory
The world is mine, the whole a it mi taking slowly
Happy days mi call it now mi bun sad story
Anyway mi deh inna the world mi dawgs dem round mi
Hahaha mi laugh and collect those trophy
Because mi deserve everything weh music gives mi
Bwoy, unruly nuh light like Frisbee
The dream, family live that wid me
Oh, oh, oh, oh
All my life mi dream fi own house, land, cars, and bikes
All my life
I'm in the stakin' bar
I got debts, I'm a debaser
All my life
Saturnz about to make love
And I'm just a heartbreaker
All my life
And I won't get a take in
'Cause I'm out when I'm stakin'
And the rings I am breaking
Are making you a personal day
With the holograms beside me
I'll dance alone tonight
In a mirrored world, are you beside me?
All my life
Distortion
All my life
I'm in the stakin' bar
I got debts, I'm a debaser
All my life
Saturnz about to make love
And I'm just a heartbreaker
All my life
And I won't get a take in
'Cause I'm out when I'm stakin'
And the rings I am breaking
Are making you a personal day
The lyrics to Gorillaz's "Saturnz Barz" represent various issues in life, including violence, wealth, dreams of owning material possessions, and heartbreak. The first verse is by Jamaican artist Popcaan, who raps about his life experiences with violence and the desire for wealth. His lyrics touch upon the pressure he felt from society to become a killer and how he had dreamed of buying a house and owning cars and bikes.
In the chorus, Damon Albarn, the lead singer of Gorillaz, sings about being a debaser, owing debts, and staking at a bar. The lyrics represent a past life of partying and debauchery. He mentions Saturn and how it's about to make love, indicating the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The chorus concludes with Albarn expressing regret about missing out on opportunities because he was always out staking.
In the final verse, Albarn sings about dancing alone in a mirrored world and experiencing distortion, indicating feelings of disconnection and disorientation. The lyrics hint at loneliness and heartbreak, suggesting that Albarn's partying lifestyle could be the cause of his unhappiness.
Overall, the lyrics of "Saturnz Barz" speak about the different facets of life, including the pressure and violence that some face, the desire for wealth, regrets from the past, and feelings of loneliness.
Line by Line Meaning
Haha, woii yoii
Laughing and expressing excitement
Never heard any ting, got the Unruly Boss
Claiming to be ignorant of anything that could implicate them in wrongdoings, but also boasting of being affiliated with the notorious Unruly Boss.
Press the button to begin
Prompting the listener to start paying attention.
Cho
An interjection used to indicate a transition in the topic or mood of the lyrics
All my life
Mi ever have mi gun so mi haffi move sharp like mi knife
All my life
Mi pray say when mi get wealthy a ma a mi wife
All my life
The system force mi
Fi be a killer just like Rodney Price
All my life
No, all my life
Describing the life of the artist, who has always had to be aware and prepared for danger. Expressing the desire to be successful and provide for their loved ones. Highlighting the influence of the oppressive system, which pushed them into a life of violence and crime from a young age.
Wah happen to you Cobe, some bwoy doh know mi
To how me ruff dem cah believe a grandma grow mi
Know few Popcaan song doh, and feel dem know mi
Four mile mi used to walk guh school, dem know man story?
Ha! Now mi gain up all those glory
The world is mine, the whole a it mi taking slowly
Happy days mi call it now mi bun sad story
Anyway mi deh inna the world mi dawgs dem round mi
Hahaha mi laugh and collect those trophy
Because mi deserve everything weh music gives mi
Bwoy, unruly nuh light like Frisbee
The dream, family live that wid me
Oh, oh, oh, oh
All my life mi dream fi own house, land, cars, and bikes
Reflecting on the challenges and obstacles they've faced, many of which others may not be aware of. Emphasizing their current success and the happiness it brings, surrounded by friends and family. Declaring their belief that they deserve everything that they've gained from their career. Expressing a desire for material possessions that were once unattainable.
I'm in the stakin' bar
I got debts, I'm a debaser
Saturnz about to make love
And I'm just a heartbreaker
And I won't get a take in
'Cause I'm out when I'm stakin'
And the rings I am breaking
Are making you a personal day
Describing the artist's situation in the present, as they deal with the stress of financial struggles and bad habits. Comparing their position to that of Saturn, who is about to create new things in the world, while the artist is just breaking hearts. Telling the listener that they won't be involved in anyone else's business or affairs, as they are just concerned with their own issues.
With the holograms beside me
I'll dance alone tonight
In a mirrored world, are you beside me?
All my life
Distortion
Painting a picture of a lonely artist dancing with holograms and questioning whether anyone is truly by their side. Representing the distorting effects of success and fame on the artist's life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Damon Albarn, Andrae Sutherland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gregjayonnaise8314
Murdoc: sits in a disgusting bathtub with black water
2D: eats food that could be months old for all he knows
Russel: sleeping on a dusty ass bed with his shoes on
Noodle: hangs out in a decrepit basement
The bar of hygiene is so low for these guys that it hits the earth’s core.
@Mery_real_version
Lyrics
Haha, woii yoii!
Done know how di ting go, a the Unruly boss
Don'?
Hahaha
(Press the button to begin)
Cho
All my life
Mi ever have mi gun so mi haffi move sharp like mi knife
All my life
Mi pray say when mi get wealthy a ma a mi wife
All my life
The system force mi
Fi be a killer just like Rodney Price
All my life
No, all my life
Aa happen to you cobe, some bwoy doh know mi
To how me ruff dem cah believe a grandma grow mi
Know few Popcaan song doh, and feel dem know mi
Four mile mi used to walk guh school dem know man story
Ha! Now mi gain up all those glory
The world is mine, the whole a it mi taking slowly
Happy days mi call it now mi bunn sad story
Anyway mi deh inna the world mi dawgs dem round mi
Hahaha mi laugh and collect those trophy
Because mi deserve everything weh music gives mi
Bwoy, unruly nuh light like frisby
The dream, family live that wid me
Oh, oh, oh, oh
All my life mi dream fi own house, land, cars and bikes
All my life
I'm in the stakin' bar
I got debts and I'm a debaser
All my life
Saturnz about to make love
And I'm just a heartbreaker
All my life
And I won't get a take in
'Cause I'm out when I'm staking
And the rings I am breaking
Are making you a personal day
With the holograms beside me
I'll dance alone tonight
In a mirrored world, are you beside me
All my life?
Distortion
All my life
I'm in the stakin' bar
I got debts and I'm a debaser
All my life
Saturnz about to make love
And I'm just a heartbreaker
All my life
And I won't get a take in
'Cause I'm out when I'm staking
And the rings I am breaking
Are making you a personal day
@aliceandbendyadventuresint7811
Lyrics:
Haha, woii yoii!
Done know how di ting go, a the Unruly boss
Don'?
Hahaha
Cho
All my life
Mi ever have mi gun so mi haffi move sharp like mi knife
All my life
Mi pray say when mi get wealthy a ma a mi wife
All my life
The system force mi
Fi be a killer just like Rodney Price
All my life
No, all my life
Aa happen to you cobe, some bwoy doh know mi
To how me ruff dem cah believe a grandma grow mi
Know few Popcaan song doh, and feel dem know mi
Four mile mi used to walk guh school dem know man story
Ha! Now mi gain up all those glory
The world is mine, the whole a it mi taking slowly
Happy days mi call it now mi bunn sad story
Anyway mi deh inna the world mi dawgs dem round mi
Hahaha mi laugh and collect those trophy
Because mi deserve everything weh music gives mi
Bwoy, unruly nuh light like frisby
The dream, family live that wid me
Oh, oh, oh, oh
All my life mi dream fi own house, land, cars and bikes
All my life
I'm in the stakin' bar
I got debts and I'm a debaser
All my life
Saturnz about to make love
And I'm just a heartbreaker
All my life
And I won't get a take in
'Cause I'm out when I'm staking
And the rings I am breaking
Are making you a personal day
With the holograms beside me
I'll dance alone tonight
In a mirrored world, are you beside me
All my life?
Distortion
All my life
I'm in the stakin' bar
I got debts and I'm a debaser
All my life
Saturnz about to make love
And I'm just a heartbreaker
All my life
And I won't get a take in
'Cause I'm out when I'm staking
And the rings I am breaking
Are making you a personal day
@leskidz893
LYRICS
Haha, woii yoii!
Done know how di ting go, a the Unruly boss
Don'?
Hahaha
Cho
All my life
Mi ever have mi gun so mi haffi move sharp like mi knife
All my life
Mi pray say when mi get wealthy a ma a mi wife
All my life
The system force mi
Fi be a killer just like Rodney Price
All my life
No, all my life
Aa happen to you cobe, some bwoy doh know mi
To how me ruff dem cah believe a grandma grow mi
Know few Popcaan song doh, and feel dem know mi
Four mile mi used to walk guh school dem know man story
Ha! Now mi gain up all those glory
The world is mine, the whole a it mi taking slowly
Happy days mi call it now mi bunn sad story
Anyway mi deh inna the world mi dawgs dem round mi
Hahaha mi laugh and collect those trophy
Because mi deserve everything weh music gives mi
Bwoy, unruly nuh light like frisby
The dream, family live that wid me
Oh, oh, oh, oh
All my life mi dream fi own house, land, cars and bikes
All my life
I'm in the stakin' bar
I got debts and I'm a debaser
All my life
Saturnz about to make love
And I'm just a heartbreaker
All my life
And I won't get a take in
'Cause I'm out when I'm staking
And the rings I am breaking
Are making you a personal day
With the holograms beside me
I'll dance alone tonight
In a mirrored world, are you beside me
All my life?
Distortion
All my life
I'm in the stakin' bar
I got debts and I'm a debaser
All my life
Saturnz about to make love
And I'm just a heartbreaker
All my life
And I won't get a take in
'Cause I'm out when I'm staking
And the rings I am breaking
Are making you a personal day
@Star-xyesz2
Russel: is tired and just wants to sleep
Also Russel: gets attacked and thrown around by a big blue monster
2-D: just wants to eat something
Also 2-D: gets attacked by some fridge monster and having food shoved brutally into his mouth but starts singing like nothing ever happened
Noodle: just wants to chill
also noodle: squeezed so tightly by some worm ass looking monster w makeup making her scream from the Top of her literal lungs
Murdoc: just having fun in THE B A F F and space
They’re definitely fine👍
@Paula-wh1po
2D: White
Noodle: Asian
Russel: Black
Murdoc: Pickle
@HabboPoop88
Now i've imagined Murdoc saying "I'M A PICKLE, 2D!!!"
@Paula-wh1po
x'D
@noodlesguitar3325
HabboPoop88
And after I read this comment I imagine 2D saying: "you still lok like a Homan to meh"
@Soulsnt
Lex Hamato 2-D British
@hobobohemian
Perfect mixed race band
@stevepensando2593
Belle Delphine sold her bathwater. It's time for Murdoc to sell his
@sillybutter_haha2626
You are god-
@vaporwaveboy684
I'd buy that stuff instantly
@cheesenozzle6776
that sounded like a threat...