In 2019, Barrett joined the social media platform TikTok. Despite transitioning into music, Barrett has accumulated over 16 million followers on the platform as of July 2021.[3] Moreover, Barrett has garnered over 184 million likes on the platform and has had singles "Pain" and "La Di Die", featuring jxdn, used by over 89 and 75 thousand videos respectively.
Barrett began her music career in July 2020, when she released her piano-based ballad debut single "Pain". Barrett's debut single was released shortly after signing with Warner Records, the label reaching out and eventually signing her after discovering clips of her singing on TikTok.[4] Barrett continued her music career, intended to embody a "punk, dark rock kind of vibe", with the release of her dramatic second single and romantic-revenge anthem "If U Love Me" in October 2020.[5] Barrett shortly followed the release of her second single with a dark interpretation of Santa Baby, released in December 2020. In February 2021, Barrett released the dark anthem "La Di Die", which explores the downfalls of fame with fellow alt-pop artist Jxdn, produced by Travis Barker.[6][7][8] Barrett and collaborator Jxdn, along with Barker, performed the single live for the first time on the April 7, 2021 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and performed the song again on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on April 12, 2021.
On June 25, 2021, Barrett released "Counting Crimes", a song said by Barrett to be "about moving on from something toxic with an empowering bad bitch energy. Admitting that you have made mistakes, but the other person has done worse than you and understanding who really is the bad guy in the situation."[9] Barrett confirmed on the Zach Sang Show in July 2021 that her debut EP is titled Pretty Poison. The EP is seven tracks and was released in Fall 2021.[2]
Singer-songwriter Nessa Barrett's Warner Records debut album, young forever, features edgy, gothic pop grounded in stories about heartache, mental health, and accountability. Writing and singing have always been the saving grace that helped Barrett feel less alone in the world and less alone with her thoughts as she battled demons from her past and mental health struggles, including bipolar personality disorder and an eating disorder.
With young forever, Barrett embraces her internal and external conflicts, takes bleak thoughts, and expresses them bravely. "I like the darkness in things," she says. "I talk about a lot of things my generation is struggling with on this album." From the moody single "tired of california," where Barrett muses on the lack of authenticity in the City of Angels, to the psychological thriller-themed "madhouse," which deliciously weaves synth with Barrett's manic melody, to the acoustic "lovebomb," which finds Barrett singing about her struggles with BPD, young forever, is a dynamic debut rooted in reflection and raw emotions.
Punctuated by her grit-glam marvel, Barrett's music has intrinsically always been about empowering people who feel isolated. "Growing up, I was very ashamed of my struggles, so the second I got a platform, I knew what I had to do with it because I didn't want anyone to feel the way I felt - alone." With young forever, Barrett has crafted something truly special.
I'm Dead
Nessa Barrett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They tell me they're sorry, yeah
I think that they're lying
These drugs won't mean nothing
When I'm dead
So why do I buy all of your shit? (Fuck)
They tell me to worry but
I got a story and I'm gon' write it up
My mom said I'm hellbound, yeah
You said I'm dead
Oh, oh oh, oh, oh oh, oh oh, oh, oh
My scars think they own me
I've been feeling real lonely
I think of myself as a problem
I don't know how I can solve 'em
It's up and down and then I turn around
Because my life's a mess and I need to rest
So don't let me go, I've been holding on
Sometimes it's hard for me
To tell you everything
This time I'll be okay
This time you won't know me
I'm gon' rise up and I'll be the best
This time I'll be okay
This time you won't know me
And I'm gon' rise up and I'll be the best
This time I'll be okay
This time you won't know me
The lyrics to Nessa Barrett and jxdn's song "I'm Dead" depict a person who is struggling with addiction, loneliness, and self-worth. From the very beginning of the song, the lyrics suggest that the persona is aware of the insincerity of people around them who express apologies. They feel that buying drugs and other material things is a futile exercise when they know they will eventually die. This demonstrates that the persona is aware of the negative impact of their decisions on their well-being, but they are still struggling to find a way out of their situation.
In the second verse, the persona continues to express their feelings of loneliness and perceived worthlessness. They view their scars as a symbol of ownership and recognize that they have become a problem. The line "sometimes it's hard for me to tell you everything" highlights the persona's reluctance to share their pain with anyone, possibly due to fear of judgment or lack of trust.
However, despite the struggles mentioned in the lyrics, the chorus provides a glimpse of hope. The persona declares "This time I'll be okay, this time you won't know me, I'm gonna rise up and I'll be the best." This signifies that despite all the hardships faced, the persona is determined to make a change and become a better version of themselves.
Overall, "I'm Dead" is a song that offers an honest portrayal of the struggles of addiction and mental health issues. It encourages the listener to acknowledge their struggles and seek help where necessary, rather than resorting to self-destructive behaviors.
Line by Line Meaning
They tell me they're sorry, yeah
People apologize to me, but I believe they are lying
I think that they're lying
I have doubts about the sincerity of people's apologies
These drugs won't mean nothing
Drug abuse will not matter in the end
When I'm dead
When I pass away
So why do I buy all of your shit? (Fuck)
Despite knowing the negative effects of these substances or behavior, I still indulge
They tell me to worry but
People tell me to be anxious, but
I don't give a fuck
I don't care
I got a story and I'm gon' write it up
I have a unique life experience, and I will document it
My mom said I'm hellbound, yeah
My mother believes I am on a path to destruction
You said I'm dead
You think I am a lost cause or doomed
My scars think they own me
My traumatic experiences affect me deeply and control me
I've been feeling real lonely
I am experiencing intense loneliness
I think of myself as a problem
I view myself as the source of my problems
I don't know how I can solve 'em
I'm unsure how to overcome my struggles
It's up and down and then I turn around
I experience constant ups and downs, which can be disorienting
Because my life's a mess and I need to rest
My life is chaotic, and I need to take a break
So don't let me go, I've been holding on
I need support and don't want to lose it
Sometimes it's hard for me
I struggle at times
To tell you everything
To fully disclose my feelings
This time I'll be okay
I will manage to pull through this time
This time you won't know me
I will change and surprise you
I'm gon' rise up and I'll be the best
I'll make a comeback and excel
This time I'll be okay
I will manage to pull through this time
This time you won't know me
I will change and surprise you
And I'm gon' rise up and I'll be the best
I will make a comeback and be my best self
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind