1. A hip-hop artist
2. A bandcamp artist
Harley Web… Read Full Bio ↴Phrase is
1. A hip-hop artist
2. A bandcamp artist
Harley Webster (born 1981), better known as Phrase is an Australian hip hop MC, originating from Melbourne, Victoria.
Growing up in the suburbs of Melbourne, Phrase’s love of hip hop kicked off in his early teens when he started listening to Ice T, NWA, Ice Cube, and 2Pac. Whilst he was a certified fan of these US rappers, it wasn’t until he began listening to community radio and new Australian rappers that he started to feel a real affinity with hip hop as an art-form. “These dudes were rapping about issues that I relate to like cops, graffiti, and crime in Australia. Without the frills.” Swapping his spray-cans for a mic, Phrase began to develop his flow, providing himself with a new focus, and in turn sparking his ambitions.
Inspired by the likes of Bias B, Lyrical Commission, and Hilltop Hoods, Phrase began to piece together an album’s worth of material with a team of like-minded collaborators. Working together with producers Daniel Merriweather and J-Skoobz, tracks began to develop with a hardcore obsession to make sure all the right lyrics and sounds were in place.
Complementing the razor-sharp lyrics, are the hard-hitting beats (of which Phrase contributed to 3⁄4 of the way through the process, teaming up with Merriweather and J Skoobs to form production outfit Crooked Eye), and the soulful melodies that help Phrase raise the stakes of Australian hip hop. In addition to Australian rappers and vocalists such as Brad Strut, Max White, Lee Sissing, and Daniel Merriweather, international borders have also been crossed via collaborations with New York rapper Saigon (Atlantic Records) and UK rapper Mystro (Low Life Records). With the assistance and guidance of Marlin Records, and now the distribution of Universal Music in place, Phrase is ready to step it up. This is next-level Aussie Hip-Hop, fluently fusing rap, with rock and soul. With a firm nod from those who came before him, and those who surround him, Phrase’s debut album “Talk With Force” has arrived to take prisoners.
In 2009 Phrase released his sophomore album Clockwork, which included the high-rotation Triple J singles "Skylight (Feat. Kram)" and "Clockwork". The album reached #26 on ARIA's album chart and #6 on ARIA's Urban albums chart.
I'm Tired
Phrase Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Glass hits the floor then breaks, the bottle's empty
I'm drunk with a monkey on my shoulder tryin' to tempt me
10 Cents to my name my park is empty
I sit back reach for a smoke gently
Reside to the couch with a shameful slouch
My last words, the final testament
I'm half pissed, anxious as hell tryin' to make the best of it
The only thing left is memory's to reminiscence
Time's that I hit the park with who I can get my piss on
Nights that I've made love to women in the winter
Summer time, I've had chicks hook, line and sinker
Times were good then, no doubt, there ain't no question
But drinks hittin' friends, nah, that leads leads to depression
And my only expression's why it rhymes in a session
But my gift is my curse and I'm tired of obsession
I'm tired, hating my soul, I'm lost, nowhere to go
I'm tired, hating my soul, I'm lost, nowhere to go
Head fast, losing control, I'm tired, nowhere to go
If I should die now, I wonder what ya think of me
Better still, would you share a last drink with me?
Would you push the boundaries and take it to the brink with me?
And if the boat went down would you stay there and sink with me?
See that's the stuff I need to keep me up and breathin'
But it just ain't there so fuck this world, man, I'm leavin'
You slandered me for my actions and bad behavior
But all the time I was only searchin' for a saviour
Fair enough, I did the most to push the limits
But peers creatin' pressure can ruin that persons image
And since I dropped it feels like you're forgotten
Some would say the apple gone bad can turn the basket rotten
If that's the way that you feel then I can deal with it
But ask for forgiveness and I'm a be real with it
See you're a pawn in this game with my songs
And I'm a flame twice as bright that only burns half as long
I'm tired, hating my soul, I'm lost, nowhere to go
I'm tired, hating my soul, I'm lost, nowhere to go
I'm tired, hating my soul, I'm lost, nowhere to go
Head fast, losing control, I'm tired, nowhere to go, ooh, noo
So much to say, so little time to do it
I gotta get this right so that you can never misconstrue it
To mum, I love you more than life in itself
And I hope my album sells, hope to bring you some wealth
To dad, you need to spend more time with the fam
You losin' touch and that's the worst mistake for a man
Don't become emotionally disabled
There's more to life than puttin' food on the table
And gettin' jagged in ya stable
To my sisters, stay strong, keep on smiling girls, it's priceless
I swear you'd Lenny's soul, it's lifeless
The day you've got the recipe to help them all remember me
Can you sing me a song that you know will get to me
Ask me a question and I'll tell you no lies
'Cause a man without regrets is a man ready to die
And that's the truth, all real, it's me in a nutshell
I'm over this somehow, I hope they raisin' the cut well
Phrase's song "I'm Tired" is an emotional and introspective track that reveals the artist's struggle with addiction, loneliness, and the pressure of fame. In the first verse, Phrase talks about being lost and hopeless, with nothing but a monkey on his shoulder tempting him to drink more. He admits to being a heavy drinker with only 10 cents to his name, reminiscing about good times but feeling trapped in a cycle of self-destructive behavior. The chorus, "I'm tired, hating my soul, I'm lost, nowhere to go" highlights the exhaustion and despair that come with addiction.
In the second verse, Phrase confronts his critics and the people in his life who have judged him for his actions. He wonders if they would still want to drink with him if he were to die tomorrow, and feels like he has been forgotten since he stopped making music. However, he also acknowledges his own mistakes and faults, asking for forgiveness and telling his family to spend more time together. He concludes the song with the line "I'm over this somehow, I hope they raisin' the cut well", suggesting that he is ready to move on from his current situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Glass hits the floor then breaks, the bottle's empty
I've been drinking heavily, and now the bottle is empty and the glass is shattered on the ground, demonstrating my loss of control.
I'm drunk with a monkey on my shoulder tryin' to tempt me
I'm drunk, and the monkey represents the temptation to continue down this path of self-destruction.
10 Cents to my name my park is empty
I am broke, with only 10 cents to my name, and I am alone with no friends or family around.
I sit back reach for a smoke gently
I try to find some solace in a cigarette.
Reside to the couch with a shameful slouch
I feel defeated, and the way I am sitting on the couch expresses my shame and hopelessness.
And a tear covered face tryin' slur these liberty's out
I am crying and trying to express myself through my lyrics, although I am struggling to do so coherently due to my intoxicated state.
My last words, the final testament
These are the last thoughts that I want to express to the world and those around me.
But drinks hittin' friends, nah, that leads leads to depression
My heavy drinking has negatively impacted my relationships, and I know that this is a path towards depression and further isolation.
And my only expression's why it rhymes in a session
My only outlet for my emotions is through my music, and I can only express myself through rhyming and lyrics during my writing sessions.
But my gift is my curse and I'm tired of obsession
My talent for music is both a blessing and a curse, and I am exhausted from constantly obsessing over my work.
If I should die now, I wonder what ya think of me
If I were to die now, what would people think of me and my reputation?
To dad, you need to spend more time with the fam
I am sending a message to my father, letting him know that he needs to prioritize spending more time with his family instead of being solely focused on work.
To my sisters, stay strong, keep on smiling girls, it's priceless
I am encouraging my sisters to remain resilient and optimistic during difficult times, and reminding them that their happiness is invaluable.
'Cause a man without regrets is a man ready to die
I am accepting that I have made mistakes and have regrets, but I am ready to face the consequences and pass away with a clear conscience.
I'm over this somehow, I hope they raisin' the cut well
I am ready to move on from this phase in my life and hope that my legacy is remembered well.
Contributed by London N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.