Under the Rex Orange County moniker, O'Connor has released one mixtape, bcos u will never b free, and three studio albums: Apricot Princess, Pony, and Who Cares?. Both Pony and Who Cares? made the top 5 in the UK and US, and the latter topped the UK Albums Chart. O'Connor also released a live album, entitled Live at Radio City Music Hall, in 2020.
Alexander James O'Connor was born on 4 May 1998, to Nina and Phil O'Connor, a professional sports photographer. He grew up in the village of Grayshott, Hampshire near Haslemere. O'Connor's interest in music began at a young age. At age 5, O'Connor joined the choir at the school where his mother worked. He became a drummer and later taught himself piano. The name Rex Orange County is based on a teacher-given nickname, "The OC", after his surname O'Connor.
At age 16, O'Connor began playing the guitar and started to produce his own music using Apple's Logic software. At this age, he also began attending the BRIT School where he studied drumming and was one of four percussionists in his year; the relative rareness of his primary instrument provided him with wide exposure to various projects of others in his school which he credits with exposing him to new music.
On 4 September 2015, O'Connor self-released his debut album bcos u will never b free on SoundCloud and Bandcamp. Upon listening to the album, fellow English musician and producer Two Inch Punch got in touch with him, providing him with a management team. The two have continued to collaborate throughout O'Connor's career in the form of the tracks "UNO", "Best Friend", and "Untitled". The album also caught the attention of American rapper Tyler, the Creator, who sent him an email describing his enjoyment of the project. This led to him flying O'Connor out the following year to Los Angeles to collaborate on his album Flower Boy, with him co-writing and contributing vocals to the songs "Boredom" and "Foreword". On 17 November 2016, O'Connor released the single "UNO", a song Clash magazine described by writing, "The buoyant keyboard riff underpins a hypnotic half-spoken vocal, one that veers from topic to topic in a hazy burst of creative mania." On 25 January 2017, he released the single “Best Friend” (premiering on Apple Music's Beats 1 station), followed later in the year by the release of his second album Apricot Princess. His work was compared by Aimee Cliff of The Fader in 2017 to "other artsy, post-genre teen artists, such as Kevin Abstract or Steve Lacy".
O'Connor's first release following the success of Apricot Princess and Flower Boy was on 11 October 2017 with the single "Loving Is Easy", created in collaboration with the Dutch artist Benny Sings. On 16 April 2018, he performed the song in his television debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. On 31 May 2018, he released a cover of "You've Got a Friend in Me" in collaboration with Randy Newman, the creator of the song. He was also featured in Spotify's Rise Program.
On 9 October 2018, O'Connor was scheduled to appear on the French television program Quotidien, but refused to perform because it featured a sketch by comedian Alison Wheeler parodying the Ku Klux Klan, which he called "tasteless".
On 14 February 2019, O'Connor released the single "New House". Later that year on 12 September, he released "10/10"; the lead single from his third album Pony. Released on 25 October 2019, Pony was his first major-label album released through RCA Records.
On 30 September 2020, O'Connor released an EP with recordings from his performance at Radio City Music Hall in New York City during his Pony tour titled Live at Radio City Music Hall alongside a documentary released on YouTube. This documentary showed the events leading up to this performance as well as the early conclusion of the Pony tour due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In October 2020, O'Connor confirmed that he was in the process of recording a fourth studio album titled Who Cares? In January 2021, he liked a Tweet seemingly confirming that it would be released at some point later that year. However, this did not materialize. On 13 January 2022, he began officially teasing the album, sending out postcards containing a phone number that when called, a snippet of the song would play. The album was released on 11 March 2022, and was his first to top the UK Albums Chart, entering ahead of Impera by Ghost.
Growing up, O'Connor listened to Queen, ABBA, Stevie Wonder, and American alternative artists like Weezer and Green Day. He cites these artists and others as core inspirations for his own music.
Uno
Rex Orange County Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How do you admit that you're falling apart?
I mean, how will I admit that I'm falling apart?
My mother's gonna worry but I'm fine in my heart
I've lived the words that I've said
And I live with a voice that tends to tell me that I'm shit in my head
And well, maybe I should fuck it and be happy instead
I should just say, "Fuck it," and be happy instead, right?
'Cause there's a lot of people tryna tell me how to deal with myself
But I'm not gonna listen if you mention my health
I don't care, don't tell me and don't text me
'Cause that kind of shit upsets me, just kind of affects me
And it's bringing me down, and I'm not gonna lie
These days, I prefer to just not be outside
And these days, I just end up spendin' all of my time
With my girlfriend, but to be honest, I think that's alright
'Cause time keeps rollin' and I'm just makin' songs
I'm doing my best
Still find myself stressed
And I'm no longer sure where I belong
I'm starting to rust
Don't know who to trust
(Don't trust anyone, not even me)
Some people concentrate on style too much
But I think I just force myself to smile too much
And that should soon end for the best
I wanna live my life with no stress
Love life and feel blessed, like
It's kind of funny on the inside
I'm tryna be a man, but really I'm just a little child, shit
And that's pretty much it
Yeah that's pretty much it
(Is there anything else?)
Oh yeah
My jaw hurts a lot because I grind it with stress (mhm?)
I was an idiot recently and lost a lot of my friends (naw)
Nothing brings me joy and nothing makes me smile
Being at school makes me aware of how I haven't been myself in awhile (oh)
And I wonder what it was like to be eleven?
Wonder if there's such a thing as life after death, such a thing as heaven? (Why?)
And every now and then I think about the fact that I'd become a legend if I died at 27
The lyrics in Rex Orange County's song "Uno" reveal the complicated emotions of a person who is falling apart but does not know how to deal with it. The singer emphasizes that though they have lived by the words they have said, they still constantly hear a "voice that tends to tell [them] that [they're] shit in [their] head." They question how they will admit that they are falling apart, and eventually, they come to the conclusion that they should just say "Fuck it" and be happy instead of caring about how others perceive them.
The song reveals a lot of self-doubt and anxiety. The singer is so out of sorts that they don't know where they belong or who to trust anymore. They find themselves spending all their time with their girlfriend but still feel stressed. The lyrics suggest that they are forcing themselves to smile and they are worried that they are style-conscious or aren't being true to themselves. The song ends with the singer wondering what it would be like to be eleven again and then questioning if there is life after death or heaven. They also mention becoming a legend if they died at 27, expressing the idea that some iconic musicians have tragically died young.
Overall, the song captures the experience of feeling like you are falling apart and not knowing how to deal with it. The singer expresses their inner darkness and confusion through their lyrics, and the melancholic, introspective tone of the song reinforces the idea that mental health issues can affect anyone, even successful artists.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, I don't know where to start
I am lost and do not know where to begin.
How do you admit that you're falling apart?
How can I confess that I am breaking down?
I mean, how will I admit that I'm falling apart?
I am struggling to accept that I am losing control.
My mother's gonna worry but I'm fine in my heart
Even though my mother will worry, I know I can handle it.
I've lived the words that I've said
I have experienced everything I have spoken about.
And I live with a voice that tends to tell me that I'm shit in my head
Internal voices constantly criticize and devalue me.
And well, maybe I should fuck it and be happy instead
Perhaps I should ignore those voices and focus on being content.
I should just say, "Fuck it," and be happy instead, right?
I am contemplating whether I should prioritize happiness over self-loathing.
"Cause there's a lot of people tryna tell me how to deal with myself
Many people are offering me advice on how to manage my mental state.
But I'm not gonna listen if you mention my health
I will not entertain remarks about my well-being.
I don't care, don't tell me and don't text me
I do not want to hear anything related to my mental health.
'Cause that kind of shit upsets me, just kind of affects me
Such comments disturb me and impact me negatively.
And it's bringing me down, and I'm not gonna lie
The criticism is depressing me and I can't deny it.
These days, I prefer to just not be outside
Nowadays, I avoid going out of my house.
And these days, I just end up spendin' all of my time
Currently, I invest all my hours with my girlfriend.
With my girlfriend, but to be honest, I think that's alright
Nonetheless, I believe it is not detrimental to be around her all the time.
'Cause time keeps rollin' and I'm just makin' songs
I am spending my days composing music as time marches on.
I'm doing my best
I am trying very hard.
Still find myself stressed
Despite my best efforts, I am still experiencing stress.
And I'm no longer sure where I belong
I am uncertain about my sense of belonging.
I'm starting to rust
I am beginning to fall apart.
Don't know who to trust
I am unsure about whom to rely on.
(Don't trust anyone, not even me)
I do not have faith in anyone, not even myself.
Some people concentrate on style too much
Some individuals care excessively about appearances.
But I think I just force myself to smile too much
However, I pretend to be happy too often.
And that should soon end for the best
I should stop faking happiness for my own good.
I wanna live my life with no stress
I desire a life free from worry.
Love life and feel blessed, like
I want to appreciate life and feel fortunate.
It's kind of funny on the inside
I possess ironic qualities deep down.
I'm tryna be a man, but really I'm just a little child, shit
I pretend to be an adult, but in reality, I am still immature.
And that's pretty much it
And that sums up my situation.
Yeah that's pretty much it
Yes, that is all.
(Is there anything else?)
(Is there something more?)
Oh yeah
Oh, I almost forgot.
My jaw hurts a lot because I grind it with stress (mhm?)
I suffer from intense jaw pain due to stress-induced teeth grinding.
I was an idiot recently and lost a lot of my friends (naw)
I made a foolish mistake and lost multiple friends as a result.
Nothing brings me joy and nothing makes me smile
I am no longer able to find happiness or amusement.
Being at school makes me aware of how I haven't been myself in awhile (oh)
School makes me realize that I have not been myself for a long time.
And I wonder what it was like to be eleven?
I ponder what my life was like at the age of eleven.
Wonder if there's such a thing as life after death, such a thing as heaven? (Why?)
I question the existence of an afterlife, specifically heaven.
And every now and then I think about the fact that I'd become a legend if I died at 27
Occasionally, I reflect on the fact that if I passed away at 27, I would become a legendary figure.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alexander James O'Connor, Benjamin Ross Ash
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sj_u1tra593
Yeah, I don't know where to start
How do you admit that you're falling apart
I mean how will I admit that I'm falling apart
My mother's gonna worry but I'm fine in my heart
[Verse 1]
I've lived the words that I've said
And I live with a voice that tends to tell me that I'm shit in my head
Well maybe I should fuck it and be happy instead
I should just say fuck it and be happy instead, right? Right
[Verse 2]
'Cos there's a lot of people try to tell me how to deal with myself
But I'm not gonna listen if you mention my health
I don't care, don't tell me and don't text me
'Cos that kind of shit upsets me, just kind of affects me
[Pre-hook]
It's bringing me down, and I'm not gonna lie
These days I prefer to just not be outside
And these days I just end up spending all of my time
With my girlfriend, but to be honest, I think that's alright
[Hook]
'Cos time keeps rollin' and I'm just makin' songs
I'm doing my best
Still find myself stressed
And I'm no longer sure where I belong
I'm starting to rust
Don't know who to trust
(Don't trust anyone. Not even me.)
[Verse 3]
Some people concentrate on style too much
But I think I just force myself to smile too much
And that should soon end for the best
I wanna live my life with no stress
Love life and feel blessed, like
It's kind of funny on the inside
I'm tryin' to be a man, but really I'm just a little child, Shit
And that's pretty much it
Yeah that's pretty much it
(Is there anything else?)
Oh yeah
My jaw hurts a lot because I grind it with stress (mhm?)
I was an idiot recently and lost a lot of my friends (naw)
Nothing brings me joy and nothing makes me smile
Being at school makes me aware of how I haven't been myself in awhile (oh)
And I wonder what it was like to be 11
Wonder if there's such a thing as life after death, such a thing as heaven (why?)
And every now and then I think about the fact that I'd become a legend if I died at 27
@hasriadijusi
Uno Lyric.
Yeah, I don't know where to start
How do you admit that you're falling apart?
I mean, how will I admit that I'm falling apart?
My mother's gonna worry but I'm fine in my heart
I've lived the words that I've said
And I live with a voice that tends to tell me that I'm shit in my head
And well, maybe I should fuck it and be happy instead
I should just say, "Fuck it, " and be happy instead, right?
Right
'Cause there's a lot of people tryna tell me how to deal with myself
But I'm not gonna listen if you mention my health
I don't care, don't tell me and don't text me
'Cause that kind of shit upsets me, just kind of affects me
And it's bringing me down, and I'm not gonna lie
These days, I prefer to just not be outside
And these days, I just end up spendin' all of my time
With my girlfriend, but to be honest, I think that's alright
'Cause time keeps rollin' and I'm just makin' songs
I'm doing my best
Still find myself stressed
And I'm no longer sure where I belong
I'm starting to rust
Don't know who to trust
Some people concentrate on style too much
But I think I just force myself to smile too much
And that should soon end for the best
I wanna live my life with no stress
Love life and feel blessed, like
It's kind of funny on the inside
I'm tryna be a man, but really I'm just a little child, shit
And that's pretty much it
Yeah that's pretty much it
(Is there anything else?)
Oh yeah
My jaw hurts a lot because I grind it with stress (mhm?)
I was an idiot recently and lost a lot of my friends (naw)
Nothing brings me joy and nothing makes me smile
Being at school makes me aware of how I haven't been myself in awhile (oh)
And I wonder what it was like to be eleven?
Wonder if there's such a thing as life after death, such a thing as heaven? (Why?)
And every now and then I think about the fact that I'd become a legend if I died at 27
@DammitSinged
I always find the best bangers at 3am.
@kevinoshaughnessy977
DammitSinged Same.
@user-zb6up4wn4y
Like rlly convenient rn
@sebastianhernandez7815
DammitSinged it’s 2:30 for me
@markbell558
DammitSinged 3:18 A.M. rn
@jordyngarcia3344
Bro same, it was like 3:00 am or something like that when I found it.
@warwick7098
being at school makes me aware how I haven't been myself in a while
my life in a nutshell
@lilp8525
owo water cries in quarantine
@celso2843
Damn imagine being able to go to school 😔
@definitelynotjim2336
Good thing I’m doing online, haha... I uh... really got em this time