Strange Times
The Black Keys Lyrics

The lyrics to The Black Keys' "Strange Times" may seem a bit cryptic at first glance, but upon closer examination, it becomes clear that they're rich with imagery that serves to convey a sense of alienation and uncertainty. The opening lines, "Kings and sons of god/ Travel all the way to earth" evoke a sense of godhood and majesty, but one that has come down to our mundane world, as if the singer is suggesting that these powerful entities have made a journey to our level of reality. The next line, "Coming restless mile/Easing all of them, all of them for you" suggests some sort of troublesome arrival, and a desire to relieve someone's burden.

The chorus of "Strange times, here" repeats, cementing the idea that the world is undergoing some sort of upheaval, and the remaining stanzas continue to build on this theme. "Scratch you in the square/Meant so much when we first met" implies a sort of violence, or a sense of danger lurking under the guise of familiarity. The singer states that "people come from far and near/Bless them me, bless them everyone," which can be interpreted either as an attempt to offer solace to those seeking refuge, or as a sort of mythic role-playing, with the singer acting as some sort of savior figure. The final two stanzas suggest that the singer is attempting to reassure someone that it's going to be all right- "Stay here to dry your tear/I will be the one/To pull you through the mirror/Before you come, before you come undone." Overall, "Strange Times" is an invitation to explore a world that's in a state of flux- a little weird, a little scary, but full of potential nonetheless.