Labrinth made his debut appearance on the UK Singles Chart in March 2010, when his collaboration with English rapper Tinie Tempah, "Pass Out", reached number one. Since then, songs Labrinth released have entered the chart 18 times as of 2020, as well as 5 times on the Billboard Hot 100.
Labrinth has released two solo albums: Electronic Earth in April 2012, and Imagination & the Misfit Kid in November 2019. In 2018, Labrinth formed the supergroup LSD with Australian singer-songwriter Sia and American DJ and producer Diplo. They released their self-titled debut album the following year. Labrinth has also collaborated with a number of artists as a singer, songwriter, and producer including Beyoncé, Kanye West, The Weeknd, Nicki Minaj, Ed Sheeran and Noah Cyrus.
He composed the score for HBO drama series Euphoria, for which he was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards, winning one, and The Lion King - Live action's soundtrack, Spirit, with Beyoncé and Ilya Salmanzadeh, achieving nominations at Grammy, Golden Globe, Critics' Choice and winning a NAACP Image Awards.
Vultures
Labrinth Lyrics
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About a bag of gold
That I have hiding in the line of my coat
I think they probably know too much
About the things I've done
Cause there all breathing just a little too close
Vultures are waiting
But not this time
Had a taste of the dream
Come to find it's not as sweet
as I thought it would be
Tv shadows over me
In the desert of my mind
Friends like water, hard to find
Is there no one left to trust
Vultures circle up above
Ohhhhhh
There flying, flying, flying
Ohhhhhh
But I won't be dying, dying, dying vulture
Vulture
I see them all sniff around, damn I'm stuck
Cause I'm too tired to get up right now
They all think I'm dead, so serve me up
But over my dead body you better try your luck
Vultures are waiting
There waiting to take me
But not this time
Had a taste of the dream
Come to find it's not as sweet as I thought it would be
Tv shadows over me
In the desert of my mind
Friends like water, hard to find
Is there no one left to trust
Vultures circle up above
Ohhhhhh
There flying, flying, flying
Ohhhhhh
But I won't be dying, dying, dying
Ohhhhhh
There flying, flying, flying
Ohhhhhh
But I won't be dying, dying, dying vulture
Ohhh yeah
Why don't you let me be
Leave me with what I deserve
Saying ohhh yeah, yeah
I'll go on living now
There's nothing left ohh scavengers
Give up, give up, ohhh
Ohhhhh
Yeahhhh
I'm not
I'm not
Vultures circle up above
Ohhhh, yeahhh [x2]
Ohhhh, no no
Come on, come on, come on yeah
I wont be dying
Ohhhh no
The lyrics of Labrinth's song "Vultures" describe a situation where the singer feels trapped and exposed. He believes he has said too much about a valuable possession that he has hidden in his coat, and he is worried that people are aware of unsavory deeds he has committed. The vultures in the lyrics represent those people who are waiting to take advantage of his vulnerability. The singer acknowledges that he had a dream of success, but he finds that it is not as rewarding as he thought it would be. He feels overwhelmed by the pressures of the entertainment industry and by his own thoughts, which torment him like a desert. He has no friends to turn to and wonders if there is anyone he can trust. The vultures symbolize not only the people who want to exploit the singer but also his own self-destructive tendencies.
One interpretation of the lyrics is that the singer is struggling with fame and the expectations that come with it. He has achieved some success, but he finds that it is not what he thought it would be. He is surrounded by people who are only interested in him because of what he can do for them. He feels like a commodity rather than a person. The metaphor of vultures waiting to take advantage of him suggests that fame is a predatory system that preys on vulnerable people. The singer wants to resist this system and find a way to live on his own terms.
Overall, "Vultures" is a powerful statement about the challenges and dangers of fame. It recognizes that there are people who will exploit vulnerable individuals for their own gain, but it also acknowledges that the real enemy may lie within oneself. The lyrics are a call to resist the pressures of the entertainment industry and to find a way to live an authentic life.
Line by Line Meaning
I think I might have said too much
I fear I have revealed too much about myself
About a bag of gold
Specifically, a pecuniary benefit
That I have hiding in the line of my coat
That I have concealed within my attire
I think they probably know too much
I believe they are aware of too many of my secrets
About the things I've done
About my past deeds
Cause there all breathing just a little too close
Because they are all standing too near to me
Vultures are waiting
A metaphor for predatory humans who are waiting to take advantage of me
There waiting to take me
They are waiting to exploit me
But not this time
I am not going to allow them to harm me again
Had a taste of the dream
I have experienced a taste of success
Come to find it's not as sweet
But I have discovered that it is not as satisfying as I believed
Tv shadows over me
I am surrounded by the negative influence of television
In the desert of my mind
I am trapped in my own thoughts
Friends like water, hard to find
It is difficult to find true friends
Is there no one left to trust
I am questioning if anyone can be trusted
Ohhhhhh
A sound of anguish or frustration
There flying, flying, flying
The vultures are circling overhead
But I won't be dying, dying, dying vulture
I will not let them destroy me
I see them all sniff around, damn I'm stuck
I observe them nosing around and realize I am stuck
Cause I'm too tired to get up right now
Because I am too exhausted to move at the moment
They all think I'm dead, so serve me up
They assume I am no longer a threat and are planning to use me to their own advantage
But over my dead body you better try your luck
I am willing to fight against them, even if it means risking my own life
Why don't you let me be
I wish to be left alone
Leave me with what I deserve
Allow me to have what is rightfully mine
Saying ohhh yeah, yeah
An expression of agreement or affirmation
I'll go on living now
I will continue to survive, despite the odds
There's nothing left ohh scavengers
There is nothing of value remaining for the predators to take
Give up, give up, ohhh
I implore them to abandon their attempts to harm me
I'm not
I am not willing to give up or be overcome by them
Vultures circle up above
The predators are still waiting and watching
Ohhhh, no no
A sound of disappointment or regret
Come on, come on, come on yeah
An encouragement or challenge to keep going
I wont be dying
I refuse to be overcome or destroyed by them
Ohhhh no
An expression of frustration
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WAYNE HECTOR, CLAUDE KELLY, TIMOTHY MCKENZIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind