Dave‘s back with a bang on his third album, The Boy Who Played The Harp, dropping today via Neighbourhood Recordings and Interscope Records, and History kicks it off like a divine download straight from the heavens.
Teaming up with James Blake for that soul-stirring chorus, it’s Dave reflecting on his rise from Streatham streets to global stages, all while wrestling with the weight of legacy. Right out the gate, he paints this vivid dream sequence: “This is God’s plan, he said it to me / An angel either side of my bed in a dream,” flipping early doubts into unbreakable conviction. Blake’s ethereal hooks—”You know it’s history in the makin’ / Shall we make it? Oh God”—add this haunting layer, turning personal triumphs into something timeless.
After a quiet stretch since 2021’s We’re All Alone In This Together, Dave’s pouring out bars on family roots, the grind of success, and that South London grit that shaped him. Lines like “I’m from South where they struggle with sayin’ your name / But it’s easy when pronouncin’ you dead on the scene” hit hard, nodding to the dangers he dodged. Fans are already crowning it album-of-the-year material on Reddit, with History pulling early streams for its blend of introspection and flex. With guests like Tems on Raindance and Kano on Chapter 16 later in the tracklist, this 16-song set feels like Dave’s most unguarded yet—raw bars over Blake’s production wizardry that make you replay just to catch every angle.
Dive into the HISTORY lyrics below and unpack its epic scope. Don’t miss other THE BOY WHO PLAYED THE HARP tracks for more of Dave’s raw brilliance.
| Lead Vocals | Dave & James Blake |
| Songwriter | Dave & James Blake |
| Music Producer | James Blake & Dom Maker |
| Label | Neighbourhood Recordings & Interscope Records |
| Distributor | Universal Music Group |
| Release Date | October 24, 2025 |
| Song Language | English |
| Copyright © | Neighbourhood Recordings & Interscope Records |
Lyrics of History by Dave & James Blake
[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 To Some Shit You Would Never Believe”
Now The Garden Same Size As Adam And Eve’s
I Got Trees, A Forest You Better Belive
For The Bass And The Treble, I Triple The Fee
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]
Yeah
And When They Talk On My Name In This Country,
They Gon’ Tell You That I’m Already A Legend
Streatham That I’m Reppin’, Clean Steppin’, Bro, You Need To Forget It
Fuck Ecofriendly, My Car Eco-aggressive
And My Ego Aggressive, 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
Gone A Couple Summers, So They Miss Me On The Beat
It Don’t Matter If She Pretty And Petite
If She Ain’t B, She Can’t Even Kiss Me On The Cheek
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, I Just Whip It And I Screech
Anytime You See My Niggas In The Streets
[Chorus: James Blake]
You Know It’s History In The Makin’
Shall We Make It? Oh God
[Bridge: James Blake]
Did I, Did I Get Addicted To The Life?
Was It All That I Wanted?
And It Was Fun For A While
But History’s Smiles On Us
Now We’re On To Something
Warm To Somethin’ Higher
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’
Shall We Make It? Oh God
[Verse 3: Dave]
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, John Galore Garage
When I Know That This Is 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 Dirty 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
And I’m Comin’ From The South Of The River, Where The Sky’s 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 Mill’, 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 Anytime You Mention Me In A Statement, You Better Know That It’s-
[Outro: James Blake]
History
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