Dave History Featuring James Blake Meaning And Review

“History” opens Dave’s third studio album, The Boy Who Played The Harp, with an immediate sense of grandeur and introspection. The track’s introduction, driven by ethereal synths and rich organ textures, establishes a vibe that feels both cinematic and urgent. Compared to other tracks on the album, the energy here is notably more aggressive, giving a sense that Dave is ready to assert himself from the very first note. The production, co-handled by Dave, James Blake, and Dom Maker, is meticulous, balancing warmth and intensity while allowing the vocals to remain front and center. From the outset, the track signals that listeners are about to witness a story of ambition, struggle, and triumph.

Lyrical Storytelling

Dave’s verses are a masterclass in lyrical storytelling, blending personal history with reflections on destiny and responsibility. He opens with a vision of divine guidance, framing his journey as one preordained yet hard-earned. Lines such as “This is God’s plan, He said it to me. An angel either side of my bed in a dream” immediately set a tone of elevated purpose while simultaneously grounding the narrative in his South London roots. He references both the struggles of his upbringing and the rewards of his success, highlighting his unique ability to traverse the personal and universal with ease. The meticulous wordplay, touching on everything from financial ambition to loyalty and legacy, cements his place not just as a rapper but as a historian of his own life.

James Blake’s Contribution

James Blake’s contribution elevates the track further, providing a hauntingly melodic chorus and reflective bridge that contrasts beautifully with Dave’s sharper delivery. The repeated refrain, “You know it’s history in the makin’. Shall we make it? Oh God,” is simple yet profound, embodying the weight of ambition and the significance of the moment. Blake’s airy vocals also give the song an emotional dimension, especially in the bridge where he explores the allure and fleeting nature of fame. The interplay between Dave’s grounded realism and Blake’s ethereal perspective creates a dynamic push and pull, highlighting the song’s themes of aspiration, reflection, and legacy.

Narrative Depth

The second and third verses continue to build this narrative, mixing braggadocio with candid insight. Dave’s references to South London life, early struggles, and the transformative power of music paint a vivid picture of both place and personal evolution. Lines like “If not for the history that we made, they wouldn’t like rap” underscore the generational significance of his work, while his playful and metaphor-laden references to Michelangelo and Renaissance art signal the careful artistry behind the album. The song does not shy away from complexity, weaving together ambition, cultural pride, and personal growth in a way that rewards repeated listens.

Dave History Review

“History” is a commanding and cinematic opener that sets the tone for The Boy Who Played The Harp. Dave and James Blake’s chemistry is undeniable, with the production, lyricism, and vocal performances combining to create a track that is both immediate and enduring. It is a song that balances aggression, reflection, and melody, capturing the essence of Dave’s journey and the stakes of his ambition. As an introduction to the album, it not only highlights Dave’s storytelling prowess but also positions him as an artist consciously aware of the legacy he is building, truly making history in the process.

Listen To Dave History Featuring James Blake

Dave History Featuring James Blake Lyrics Meaning Explained

The meaning of History featuring James Blake by Dave is a reflection on legacy, ambition, and personal growth, framed through the lens of his South London upbringing and career journey. The track serves as both an introduction to The Boy Who Played The Harp and a statement of intent, highlighting the impact of Dave’s choices, relationships, and creative output. Through vivid storytelling, clever wordplay, and biblical and cultural references, Dave explores the struggles and triumphs that have shaped him, while James Blake’s ethereal vocals provide an emotional counterpoint, emphasizing the weight of the history they are actively making. The song balances personal reflection with broader social commentary, celebrating achievements while acknowledging the realities of street life, ambition, and the pursuit of enduring success.

Verse 1: Dave

“History” opens with Dave framing his journey as divinely guided, stating, “This is God's plan, He said it to me / An angel either side of my bed in a dream.” The angels suggest protection and reassurance, while the line “Singin', 'You don't know what you've yet to achieve / And you're destined for some shit you would never believe'” emphasizes that his future accomplishments surpass imagination. Using biblical imagery, Dave raps, “Now the garden same size as Adam and Eve's / I got trees, a forest, you better believe,” where the garden represents his achievements and creative output, likening his success to a paradise. In the line “For the bass and the treble, I treble the fee,” Dave cleverly links musical terminology to financial gain, showing how his artistry generates wealth.

His wit is evident in “I can't wish my ex the best, she would end up with me,” implying that anything good for his ex ultimately comes back to him. The lyric “How can I sleep when there's money to get with the team?” reflects his relentless work ethic and loyalty to collective success. The line “You disrespect the sixteen, your head on a beam” refers to his Streatham postcode, SW16, signaling that disrespecting his area can have serious consequences. Meanwhile, “For the lust of the money, the head of the Queen” uses UK currency as a metaphor for ambition and desire. Lines such as “I done shit I didn't think I could ever redeem” acknowledge past mistakes, while “I'm from South where they struggle with sayin' your name / But it's easy when pronouncin' you dead on the scene” highlights the harsh realities of South London life, where disrespect can have fatal consequences. Finally, “So when you see me on these stages steppin' in clean / I hope” contrasts his current professional image with the grit of his upbringing, emphasizing growth and resilience.

Chorus: James Blake

The chorus, delivered by James Blake, reinforces the theme of legacy with the lines, “You know it's history in the makin' / Shall we make it? Oh God.” The refrain is simple yet profound, capturing the weight of ambition and the significance of the moment, while Blake’s ethereal delivery adds an emotional dimension.

Verse 2: Dave and James Blake

In the second verse, Dave asserts his prominence in the UK rap scene, rapping, “And when they talk on my name in this country, they gon' tell you that I'm already a legend (Can we make it?)” and “Streatham that I'm reppin', clean steppin', bro, you need to forget it.” His wordplay in “Fuck eco-friendly, my car eco-aggressive / And my ego aggressive” combines humor with confidence, while the lines “Yeah, you've done it for a year, but that ain't impressive / I give a fuck about success if it ain't successive, that ain't (History)” stress that meaningful, lasting success matters more than fleeting recognition.

The lyric “City's gonna listen on repeat / Gone a couple summers, so they miss me on the beat” references his hiatus between projects, including his last studio album in 2021, and builds anticipation for his return. Relationship standards and loyalty are hinted at in “It don't matter if she pretty and petite / If she ain't B, she can't even kiss me on the cheek,” while “Mum said, 'Never build a house on sand' / But I don't think I listen cah the villas by the beach” contrasts early disregard for stability with later luxury. His hustle is evident in “And I did it off of beats / I just whip it and I screech,” emphasizing resourcefulness and dedication to craft.

Bridge: James Blake

James Blake’s bridge reflects on fame and its temptations with the lines, “Did I, did I get addicted to the life? / Well, it's all that I wanted / And it was fun for a while.” He balances reflection with optimism in “But history smiles on us / Now we're on to somethin' higher,” highlighting legacy and future ambition. Lines such as “Now hold my hand close / I'm inspired / And I'm holdin' on to a version of our lives / Where you're still mine” convey romantic and aspirational imagery, tying personal and professional growth together.

Verse 3: Dave and James Blake

In the final verse, Dave reflects on identity and early struggles. He raps, “My mum told me what my name really means and the powers just kicked in / Got me thinkin' back to days when I was a victim to this ting,” acknowledging his past hardships while drawing inspiration from his identity. Humility and perseverance are emphasized in “Thinkin' I was keepin' it balanced / I was even embarrassed, sellin' CDs in Paris,” highlighting early hustle.

Dave credits music for providing stability in “But this music gave me everything I need in a marriage,” and pays homage to UK genres in “I can't speak sideways on grime, jungle or garage / When I know that it's the reason we managed to make (History).” Street pragmatism is reflected in “Don't be a hero, I ain't lookin' to hurt anyone / I got a clean one, and I got a dirtier one,” while mortality and street violence are evoked in “I never see a man late to his own funeral, but / I done see a man show up early to one.” Clever wordplay appears in “You mention my name, better know that you're playin' with pepper / You borrowed a mil', and I told him to pay me whenever,” combining caution with financial confidence. Cultural references are used to assert sophistication and status in “The woman with me like a renaissance paintin' / I'm Michelangelo's David,” and the verse closes with a confident legacy statement: “And any time you mention me in a statement, you better know that it's / History.”

Dave History Featuring James Blake Lyrics 

[Verse 1: Dave]

This is God's plan, He said it to me

An angel either side of my bed in a dream

Singin', "You don't know what you've yet to achieve

And you're destined for some shit you would never believe"

Now the garden same size as Adam and Eve's

I got trees, a forest, you better believe

For the bass and the treble, I treble the fee

I can't wish my ex the best, she would end up with me

How can I sleep when there's money to get with the team?

You disrespect the sixteen, your head on a beam

For the lust of the money, the head of the Queen

I done shit I didn't think I could ever redeem

I'm from South where they struggle with sayin' your name

But it's easy when pronouncin' you dead on the scene

So when you see me on these stages steppin' in clean

I hope

[Chorus: James Blake]

You know it's history in the makin'

Shall we make it? Oh God

[Verse 2: Dave & James Blake]

Yeah

And when they talk on my name in this country, they gon' tell you that I'm already a legend (Can we make it?)

Streatham that I'm reppin', clean steppin', bro, you need to forget it

Fuck eco-friendly, my car eco-aggressive (Yeah)

And my ego aggressive (Yeah), you better leave me a message

Yeah, you've done it for a year, but that ain't impressive

I give a fuck about success if it ain't successive, that ain't (History)

City's gonna listen on repeat (Yeah)

Gone a couple summers, so they miss me on the beat (Woo)

It don't matter if she pretty and petite

If she ain't B, she can't even kiss me on the cheek (Yeah)

Mum said, "Never build a house on sand"

But I don't think I listen cah the villas by the beach

And I did it off of beats (Yeah), I just whip it and I screech (Yeah)

Any time you see my niggas in the streets

[Chorus: James Blake]

You know it's history in the makin' (Makin')

Shall we make it? Oh God

[Bridge: James Blake]

Did I, did I get addicted to the life?

Well, it's all that I wanted

And it was fun for a while

But history smiles on us

Now we're on to somethin'

On to somethin' higher (Ah)

Now hold my hand close

I'm inspired

And I'm holdin' on to a version of our lives

Where you're still mine

[Chorus: James Blake]

You know it's history in the makin' (Ooh)

Shall we make it? Oh God

[Verse 3: Dave & James Blake]

Yeah

My mum told me what my name really means and the powers just kicked in

Got me thinkin' back to days when I was a victim to this ting

Thinkin' I was keepin' it balanced

I was even embarrassed, sellin' CDs in Paris

But this music gave me everything I need in a marriage

I can't speak sideways on grime, jungle or garage

When I know that it's the reason we managed to make (History)

Don't be a hero, I ain't lookin' to hurt anyone

I got a clean one, and I got a dirtier one

I never see a man late to his own funeral, but

I done see a man show up early to one

I prefer the one that's slim, but I don't mind me the curvier one, yeah

And I'm comin' from the South of the river, where the sky is black

If not for the history that we made, they wouldn't like rap

Niggas tryna water down our ting, it's time to fight back

For seventy hours, I've been steppin' with powers, and it's definitely ours, it's time

You mention my name, better know that you're playin' with pepper

You borrowed a mil', and I told him to pay me whenever

Knew it was different from the moment we came in

And you can call me 'cause I said it verbatim

The woman with me like a renaissance paintin'

I'm Michelangelo's David

And any time you mention me in a statement, you better know that it's

[Outro: James Blake]

History