The Kid LAROI’s BEFORE I FORGET drops in three days—January 9 via Columbia Records—and “RATHER BE” with Lithe is that raw split-screen ache, a “2 in 1” heartbreak where you’d burn it all down just to wake up tangled in the chaos again.
This cut, slotted as track five on the 15-deep set, is LAROI at his most unguarded: breathy pop-rap flows over a hazy electronic pulse that builds from sparse synths to a chorus swell, courtesy of producers Khaled Rohaim, Dopamine, FNZ, and AUZ. It’s got that signature Aussie edge—melodic hooks laced with trap undertones—but dialed up with Lithe’s gravelly verse, trading raw vulnerability for a late-night drunk-dial vibe.
Thematically, it’s all messy aftermath: dodging the weekend stripper glow for backseat flashbacks, spiteful ex-games, and that brutal pull of “I’d rather be with you” amid the spin. No fairy-tale fixes here; it’s the kind of track that nods to his Bieber-era polish while scraping deeper into the loneliness that’s fueled his best work, like a bridge between F*CK LOVE anthems and something more lived-in.
BEFORE I FORGET itself? It’s LAROI’s sophomore swing, a 15-track exhale clocking nostalgic heartbreak and that razor-edge of growth—clarity crashing into standstills, light flickering through the dark. Think romantic what-ifs on “A Perfect World” (his lead single out since November), late-hour confessions like “5:21 AM” with Andrew Aged, and soul-stirring cuts with Clara La San, all threaded with self-aware regret. The deluxe pads it out with extras like “Her Interlude” remixes, expanding the emotional sprawl into something you loop when the world feels too sharp. Recorded between Sydney hideouts and LA haze post-The First Time’s 2023 chaos, it’s less arena banger, more diary—proving he’s ditching teen frenzy for grown-folk feels.
LAROI’s owning this pivot at 22, fresh off sold-out Aussie runs and that viral “Stay” remix resurgence still haunting Spotify Wrapped. The Waterford whiz who blew up off TikTok tears is leveling up: therapy-fueled, feature-packed, and unafraid to bleed real amid the pop polish. BEFORE I FORGET? It’s him before the next chapter, capturing the blur before you let go.
Dive into the RATHER BE lyrics below and unpack its raw narrative. Don’t miss other BEFORE I FORGET tracks for more of The Kid LAROI’s heartfelt pop-rap vibes.
| Lead Vocals | The Kid LAROI & Lithe |
| Songwriter | The Kid LAROI, Lithe, Antonio Zito, Austin Howard, Isaac De Boni, Khaled Rohaim & Michael Mule |
| Music Producer | Khaled Rohaim, Dopamine, FNZ & AUZ |
| Label | Columbia Records & Sony Music Entertainment |
| Release Date | January 9, 2026 |
| Song Language | English |
| Copyright © | Columbia Records & Sony Music Entertainment |
| Distributor | Columbia Records & Sony Music Entertainment |
| Phonographic Copyright ℗ | Columbia Records & Sony Music Entertainment |
Lyrics of RATHER BE by The Kid LAROI
[Chorus: The Kid Laroi]
Rather Be With You
Rather Be With You
Rather Be With You
With You
[Verse 1: The Kid Laroi]
This Club Don’t Close ’til 6 A.M.
She Say That She’ll Be Here ’til Then
As What’s Up With Me After?
I’ll Probably Be In Bed
She Only Strips On The Weekend
She Told Me That She’s A Fan
I’ll Just Sit Here And Pretend
That I Don’t Wanna Be With You Instead
[Chorus: The Kid Laroi]
Rather Be With You
Said I Would Rather Be With You, Okay
Rather Be With You
With You (Ooh)
[Verse 2: The Kid Laroi]
I Told You I’d Focus On Me, But I’ve Been On Bullshit Since You Left Me
That Wasn’t My Plan, But You Out Here Again Doin’ Shit, Tryna Test Me
You Movin’ Spiteful And Doin’ Shit, Hopin’ That It Gets Back To Me
Babe, I Would Rather Be Back At Your Place
Tell Me, Can I Come Back There Again?
‘Cause I ‘member Us Being Messy
I’m Reminiscin’ On That One Time We Were F**kin’ Crazy In The Backseat
Yeah, The Sex Was Cool And All, But Honestly, I Miss My Bestie
I Got So Much To Update You On
I’m Beggin’ You, Baby, To Text Me
[Chorus: The Kid Laroi]
Rather Be With You
Said I Would Rather Be With You, Okay
Rather Be With You
With You (Ooh)
[Verse 3: The Kid Laroi]
It’s 5 A.M., My Head Is Spinnin’
I Got So Drunk, Now I Can’t Feel Shit Now
At Least It Makes It Easier To Pretend
That I Don’t Wanna Be With You Instead
[Chorus: The Kid Laroi]
Rather Be With You
Rather Be With You
Rather Be With You, With You
Rather Be With You
Rather Be With You
Rather Be With You
With You (Ooh)
[Verse 4: Lithe, The Kid Laroi]
It’s Tirin’ For Certain
I Will Never Be The Same, This Way For Less
Still F**kin’ ’round, I’m Out These Bands
I’m Drunk, I’m Up
But You Know Me, I’ll Never Bend
Take Me Off ’cause This Shit Gettin’ Lonely Now (Now)
Still Drunk, So Drunk, You Want Me Come Home Tonight
F**ked Up, Iced Out, 1942 Tonight
Up ’til I’m Drunk, I Miss Me My Brothers
But Too Drunk, Too Drunk, Only Wantin’ You Tonight
It’s Tirin’ For Certain (Rather Be With You)
I Will Never Be The Same, This Way For Less
Still F**kin’ ’round, I’m Out These Bands (Rather Be With You)
I’m Drunk, I’m Up
But You Know Me, I’ll Never Bend (Rather Be With You)
Take Me Off ’cause This Shit Gettin’ Lonely Now (With You, Ooh)
[Verse 5: The Kid Laroi]
Yeah, I Can’t Hide This Shit, I Feel Lost
I Can’t Lie To You, Girl, I Feel Crossed
Hit The Strip, Now I’m Throwin’ Up, Ayy, Ayy
Now I’m Throwin’ Up Ones
Did The Amex Circle, Dumb
I Told Them, “Damn, Go Take Out Some Funds”
I’m Tryna Pour Up ’til I Can’t Feel, Uh, Ayy
’til I Can’t Feel Nothin’
No Matter How Much That Shit Cost
I Still Can’t Get You Out Of My Thoughts (Thoughts)
I Still Think About You, I’m Sauced
Facts, No Matter How Much Shit That I Bought (Bought)
No Matter How Many Times We Fought (Fought)
It Made Me Only Wanna Be With You More
Safe To Say, Sometimes I Still Get Lonely, Girl
It’s Safe To Say, I Rather You Be On Me, Girl
I Ain’t To Blame, But I Will Take The Fall For You (I Did, I Did)
I Can’t Just Wait Here, Ain’t Easy Gettin’ Over You
[Chorus: The Kid Laroi]
Rather Be With You
Rather Be With You
Rather Be With You
With You (Ooh)
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