Sullen
Barefood Lyrics


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I could break
I could torture
I could give you a flower you know, but I just don't care

it'll no light for you
and It'll never there
I could give you a promise you know, but I hate to swear
don't you know I don't know how
yeah I know I don't know how
to pick a smile upon your heart
because there's something that so untold

I could care
however you want me to
I could be the one that you always wanting to

a simple thing that you don't know but I hate to say
I could give you a gun, so I would rather to be dead

don't you know I don't know how
yeah I know I don't know how
to pick a smile upon your heart
because there's something that so untold

a simple sight
of your sullen eye
could make me melting like a sugar on it's plate
a simple sight
from your sullen eye
it feel so dangerous like a poison thing
you know it makes me feeling upside down

don't you know I don't know how
yeah I know I don't know how
to pick a smile upon your heart
because there's something that so untold

don't you know I don't know how
yeah I know I don't know how




to pick a smile upon your heart
because there's something that so untold

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Barefood's "Sullen" seem to convey a sense of numbness and indifference towards someone who is important to the singer. The first verse suggests that the singer is capable of extreme emotions – breaking, torturing, giving flowers – but chooses not to care. The second verse continues in this vein with the singer offering a promise but hating to swear. The refrain emphasizes the singer's lack of ability to make the the person they are addressing happy. They acknowledge not knowing how to "pick a smile" and attribute it to something "so untold."


The third verse is where the tone shifts slightly – the singer acknowledges that they could care for the person however they want, and be who they want the singer to be. However, following lines reveal that the singer is unwilling to do a certain "simple thing" that the person doesn't know about but the singer "hates to say." This is followed by a startling image, where the singer would rather be dead than give the person a gun.


The final verse is where the emotions finally seem to break through the singer's detached façade. They sing about the effect that a simple glance from the person's "sullen eye" has on them. It makes them feel like melting or falling in love, but it is also dangerous like poison. The refrain is repeated, emphasizing the notion that the singer doesn't know how to make the person happy because of something "so untold."



Line by Line Meaning

I could break
I have the power to shatter and destroy things


I could torture
I am capable of causing immense pain and suffering


I could give you a flower you know, but I just don't care
I have the ability to do something nice for you, but I lack the desire or motivation to do so


it'll no light for you
My actions will not bring any light, happiness or positivity to you


and It'll never there
Whatever I do or give will never be enough or sufficient


I could give you a promise you know, but I hate to swear
I can make a promise to you, but I don't like to make guarantees because I might not be able to fulfill them


don't you know I don't know how
I am aware that I lack the ability or knowledge to do something


yeah I know I don't know how
I am fully aware of my limitations and shortcomings


to pick a smile upon your heart
I am unable to bring joy, happiness or positivity to you


because there's something that so untold
There is something unspoken or unknown that prevents me from doing so


I could care
I am capable of caring for you, but it depends on the situation or circumstances


however you want me to
I am willing to care for you in any way you desire or need


I could be the one that you always wanting to
I have the potential to be the person you have been seeking or yearning for


a simple thing that you don't know but I hate to say
There is something I want to tell you, but I find it difficult or unpleasant to say


I could give you a gun, so I would rather to be dead
I have the capability to harm you, but I would rather not exist than to hurt you


a simple sight
Just by seeing something as ordinary as


of your sullen eye
The sadness, gloominess, or despondency in your eyes


could make me melting like a sugar on it's plate
It has the power to completely disarm me and overwhelm me with emotions


it feel so dangerous like a poison thing
The intensity of the emotions it brings out feel hazardous or toxic


you know it makes me feeling upside down
It completely throws me off balance and makes me feel disoriented or confused


because there's something that so untold
There is something unspoken or unknown that is causing me to feel this way




Contributed by Lauren N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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