Although Blitzkid was disbanded in 2012, Goolsby pursues a career as a solo artist as Argyle Goolsby. He performs with both his live electric band, The Roving Midnight as well as his fully acoustic band, The Hollow Bodies.
Mister Babadook
Argyle Goolsby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Up up jump the roots of my trembling hair
Boom boom resounds a sound in the darkness somewhere
Oh could it be my guest is here?
Tick tock blares the clock I can no longer ignore
Snip snap pops the latch of my powerless door
Sick sick is the sensation salting my pores
Hey Mr. Babadook (Dook dook dook)
How do you do?
He said I'm doing fine but don't be burnin' our time
You know we've got some work to do
Oh what a sight to see this dapper Shadow appear
Perambulating undulating increasing near
And following the ripened heightened scent of my fear
A friend or foe? I'm not exactly clear
Oh not a word was heard
But when I shuddered a gasp
He snapped back jet black tipping his hat
The silence was excruciating I will admit
I had to curb my quiet fit
Hey Mr. Babadook (Dook dook dook)
How do you do?
He said I'm doing fine but don't be burnin' our time
You know we've got some work to do
Yeah!
Good sir I sympathize that you're a bit paralyzed
To see me standing here I understand your surprise
But time is not an ally on my side
I advise you let me out before my patience tries
He drew a little closer and I noticed his face
Resembled that of someone that I knew
Right away I found myself standing eye to eye with the wraith
Of my very own reflected rage
Just a mirror and an empty gaze
Just a man simply entertaining hate
Feels like I've known you all my life (All my life)
Seems a little bit silly that I was scared before
How long were you waiting for me outside? (Me outside)
I do apologize I've been a little down
Let's go and hit the town and take a walk around
I know a few people we can visit on tonight
Visit on tonight
Visit on tonight
Visit on tonight
Visit on tonight
Visit on tonight
Visit on tonight
Visit on tonight
Visit on tonight
BA-BA
DOOK! DOOK! DOOK!
The first two lines of the verse depict the singer's increasing fear as they hear the sound of boards creaking and feel the roots of their hair rising on their scalp. The following lines suggest that the singer is waiting for a guest, possibly someone they have never met or hosted before. As the clock ticks, they hear a snapping sound, followed by an unpleasant feeling of being sick. Suddenly, the guest arrives and introduces himself as Mr. Babadook.
In the chorus, Mr. Babadook acknowledges the singer's presence and suggests that they have work to do. The second verse describes Mr. Babadook's appearance as a "dapper Shadow" that senses and follows the singer's fear. The singer is confused whether Mr. Babadook is a friend or an enemy. Upon approaching the singer, Mr. Babadook appears to be the reflection of the singer's own rage, suggesting that he represents the singer's inner demons. Realizing this, the singer apologizes, and Mr. Babadook invites the singer to go out and hit the town.
The song appears to be an allegory for the singer confronting their inner demons and finding acceptance through this encounter with Mr. Babadook. Throughout the song, there is an undercurrent of tension and fear, but this tension is ultimately dispelled by the realization that Mr. Babadook represents the singer's own rage. The song can be interpreted as a message of self-acceptance and self-love, suggesting that when people confront their own inner demons and reconcile with them, they can achieve inner peace.
Line by Line Meaning
Creak creak go the boards at the base of the stairs
The sound of the old stairs indicates the arrival of a visitor.
Up up jump the roots of my trembling hair
I am terrified and my hair is standing on end.
Boom boom resounds a sound in the darkness somewhere
An ominous noise echoes in the darkness.
Oh could it be my guest is here?
I wonder if the noise is the sound of my visitor arriving.
Tick tock blares the clock I can no longer ignore
The clock reminds me that time is passing and the visitor is about to arrive.
Snip snap pops the latch of my powerless door
The door opens, but I am powerless to stop it.
Sick sick is the sensation salting my pores
I feel sick with fear as my pores seem to salt.
I've never hosted quite a guest before
I have never had a visitor like this before.
Hey Mr. Babadook (Dook dook dook)
Addressing the visitor, who introduces himself as Mr. Babadook.
How do you do?
Asking how he is doing.
He said I'm doing fine but don't be burnin' our time
Mr. Babadook is doing good, but suggesting that they do not waste time.
You know we've got some work to do
There is some work that needs to be done by them.
Oh what a sight to see this dapper Shadow appear
The appearance of Mr. Babadook is quite striking.
Perambulating undulating increasing near
Mr. Babadook is slowly approaching.
And following the ripened heightened scent of my fear
He is following my fear, which is palpable.
A friend or foe? I'm not exactly clear
I am not sure whether Mr. Babadook is a friend or a foe.
Oh not a word was heard
Mr. Babadook says nothing.
But when I shuddered a gasp
I gasped when I shuddered.
He snapped back jet black tipping his hat
Mr. Babadook's snapback hat is jet black, and he tips it.
The silence was excruciating I will admit
The silence was unbearable for me.
I had to curb my quiet fit
I had to control my fear and anxiety.
Good sir I sympathize that you're a bit paralyzed
Mr. Babadook sympathizes with me, seeing that I am paralyzed by fear.
To see me standing here I understand your surprise
He acknowledges that his appearance was surprising.
But time is not an ally on my side
He is in a hurry, and time is not on his side.
I advise you let me out before my patience tries
He instructs me to let him leave before he becomes impatient.
He drew a little closer and I noticed his face
He moves closer, and I see his face more clearly.
Resembled that of someone that I knew
His face looks familiar to me.
Right away I found myself standing eye to eye with the wraith
I am face to face with a menacing spirit of my past and present.
Of my very own reflected rage
He represents my internalized anger and resentment.
Just a mirror and an empty gaze
The reflection represents an empty and meaningless gaze.
Just a man simply entertaining hate
A man fueled by hate indulging his passions.
Feels like I've known you all my life (All my life)
He seems familiar, and I've known him forever.
Seems a little bit silly that I was scared before
I feel foolish for being scared earlier.
How long were you waiting for me outside? (Me outside)
He reveals that he has been waiting for me outside.
I do apologize I've been a little down
I apologize for my earlier demeanor and attitude.
Let's go and hit the town and take a walk around
Let us move on and enjoy the night.
I know a few people we can visit on tonight
He suggests that we visit some people together.
Visit on tonight
Repeating the suggestion to visit people.
BA-BA
N/A
DOOK! DOOK! DOOK!
The repeating sounds of Mr. Babadook.
Writer(s): Stephen Wayne Matthews
Contributed by Christopher O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Big Omnipotence
Creak Creak go the boards at the base of the stairs
Up, up jump the roots of my trembling hair.
Boom, Boom resounds a sound in the darkness somewhere
Oh could it be? My guest is here?
Tick,Tock blares the clock I can no longer ignore
Snip, snap pops the latch on my powerless door
Sick, sick is the sensation salting my pores.
I’ve never hosted quite a guest before...
Hey, Mr. Babadook!
How do you do?
He said: "I'm doin fine, but don’t be burnin' our time.
You know we’ve got some work to do".
Oh, what a sight to see this dapper shadow appear!
Perambulating, undulating, increasingly near...
And following the ripened, heightened scent of my fear.
A friend or foe? I’m not exactly clear.
Oh, not a word was heard, but when I shuddered a gasp
He snapped back, jet black, tipping his hat.
The silence was excruciating I will admit.
I had to curb my quiet fit.
Hey, Mister Babadook!
How do you do?
He said: "I'm doin' fine, but don’t be burnin' our time.
You know we’ve got some work to do".
"Good sir... I sympathize that youre a bit paralyzed to see me standing here. I understand your surprise, but time is not an ally on my side. I advise you let me out before my patience tries".
He drew a little closer, and I noticed his face
resembled that of someone that I knew. Right away I found myself standing eye to eye with the wraith of my very own reflected rage.
Just a mirror and an empty gaze.
Just a man simply entertaining hate.
Feels like I've known you all my life.
Seems a little bit silly that I was scared before.
How long were you waiting for me outside?
I do apologize! I've been a little down. Let's go and hit the town, and take a walk around.
I know a few people we can visit on tonight....
ACWNN PRODUCTIONS
Did you see the movie The Babadook? How did you feel about it?
Ipersonally thought it was a great movie. It’s not typical by any means, but there’s so much atmosphere and tension it reminded me of a vintage horror movie where you hardly needed to see the monster in order to fear him. I also felt like The Babadook had a very vintage almost silent horror movie monster vibe to him. He was like a well executed cross between Nosferatu, Dr. Caligari, The vampire from London After Midnight and even a little bit of Willy Wonka. It felt more like a commentry on mental illness and PTSD rather than trying to be a ‘horror flick’, so when it came time to design this videos set I wanted it to reflect the twisted nightmarish sets used in the old silents meant to reflect mental distress.
Melissa Rosenberg
The Babadook was a great movie, not everyone gets that you don’t need to see some gory monster or whatever to be scared. The less you see, leaves more to the imagination and In my opinion keeps you on the edge of your seat. I never heard of this band before, but definitely a fan now. You all did a excellent job with this video, very creepy and awesome. Love the music, and that voice...👍
Jordan
I wasn't too impressed on my first watch, but that's because I was expecting a monster movie and got more of a psychological thriller. There's nothing wrong with that, but wrong expectations can really change how you view a movie. I'll have to give it another viewing sometime.
AquariusPower
Really loved the Babadook, it was really well-written and really scary! I also love the first sort film Jennifer Kent made about it, all in black and white! Love your clip as well!
S.T.B. 0129666
It certainly had an old school horror vibe, and it wasn't a bad movie
Твоя любимая Ася
Best movie ever.
Miguel Rodriguez
You cant do anything wrong goolsby amazing video i think this is my favorite out of the 3 youve done so far.
Cleome Jones
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!!! ALWAYS GREAT TO SEE THE BABADOOK GETTING RECKOGNISED AMIRITE???
Negative CR33P
3 Years later and this song still gets stuck in my head at least once a week
Dale Swift
The drummer is fantastic!