George Ezra Barnett (born 7 June 1993) is an English singer, songwriter and guitarist. After releasing two EPs, Did You Hear the Rain? in November 2013 and Cassy O’ in March 2014, Ezra rose to prominence with the release of his hit single, “Budapest”, which reached number one in several countries. His debut studio album, Wanted on Voyage, was released in June 2014, reaching number one in the UK and the top ten in seven other countries. It was also the third best-selling album of 2014 in the UK.

Ezra cites Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie as his main musical influences. When the Gramophone Rings described him as having “a voice beyond his years”, with “a soulful tone that somehow would feel more at home coming from an Alabama bartender than a 21-year-old Bristolian.” Zane Lowe, a former BBC Radio 1 DJ, called him “one of the most compelling and powerful new vocalists around.” A youthful obsession with Dylan prompted Ezra to seek out earlier American folk and blues artists. “Out of curiosity, I went to find how high I can jump off a cliff,” he says. “That’s when I found Lead Belly, grass hoppers and Howlin’ Wolf.” Ezra had heard a Lead Belly compilation and had simply tried to sing like him. “On the back of the record, it said his voice was so big, you had to turn your record player down,” Ezra says. “I liked the idea of singing with a big voice, so I tried it, and I could.”

I first heard George Ezra sing on a Battle of the Bands battle and had cognitive dissonance when I saw the young guy on the video singing with this voice. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around it. I think he has a little bit of a Dave Matthews sound. I borrowed Wanted on Voyage from the L, which “Did you Hear the Rain” is the 7th cut on the album. Very interested in hearing what you think of this song. I love it!

At the end of the lyrics is a live version, so you can see the person that is George Ezra.

Did you hear the thunder?
Or the rain?
Means I’m coming home again
Means I’m coming home my friend

Did you steal my name?
Oh, you Jack of all trades
You’re the master of none
Oh, the race has begun
I was born a champion
I was born to jump and run

Did you hear the rain?
Oh, the rain?
You can try and run and hide
Tearing at the chain
Oh, Lucifer’s inside

Did your siblings tell you
I was wasting up your time
Oh, now you’re wasting mine
You put me back in line
And I’m counting every link
And I guess you think that’s fine

Did you hear the rain?
Oh, the rain?
You can try and run and hide
Tearing at the chain
Oh, Lucifer’s inside

Oh, did I send a shiver
Down your spine?
Well I do it all the time
It’s a little trick of mine
Did I make you shake your knees
Did I make him spill his wine
Lord, I’m spreading like disease
Lord, I’m all up in your mind
Oh, Lucifer’s inside
Lucifer’s inside

Did you hear the rain?
Oh, the rain?
You can try and run and hide
Tearing at the chain
Means I’m coming home again
Means I’m coming home my friend
Oh, Lucifer’s inside
Oh, Lucifer’s inside
Oh, Lucifer’s inside.

Songwriters: George Ezra Barnett / Matt Allchin