"Crazy" - which was their first single - debuted at #1 on the British pop charts on April 2, 2006. It was the first #1 UK single to be obtained solely through Internet downloads. The success of the single in the UK was due largely to its use in a promotional trailer for Radio 1 across all of the BBC TV channels prior to the single's release. 'Crazy' stayed at #1 for almost 9 weeks.
The buzz for "Crazy" helped generate a lot of press coverage of their debut album, St. Elsewhere, which was released on May 9, 2006.
The album is seen as a cross-over between hip-hop, rock and soul. Both artists have previously been known to have a quirky experimental side, moving between different genres of music.
Producer DJ Danger Mouse began his career doing remixes of indie rock artists like Neutral Milk Hotel and downbeat instrumental music under the 'Pelican City' alias. He later went on to emphasize more hip-hop production: most notably his The Grey Album, a remix of Black Album, with samples exclusively from The White Album; 2005's Dangerdoom collaboration with MF Doom; and, most recently, the double platinum Demon Days.
Gnarls Barkley singer Cee Lo Green started out in the classic Southern rap group Goodie Mob, but later developed a unique funk-inspired soulful style of singing which developed on his solo albums.
Their new album The Odd Couple was released March 18, 2008.
Feng Shui
Gnarls Barkley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
See clearly the theory of less is more
A plant a pet
Books on a shelf
And a frame on the wall where you can
Picture yourself
And you're welcome to stay
But even your company must complement
Even down to what I have on
They do wonder to what
Extents I have gone
Tailored and tapered couture to the curb
Demanding the attention
That it does deserve
Fabrics for the forecast of the day
I admit it
Everything is fitted to fall in Feng Shui
More importantly the way that I move
If I'm in your town my needles down
On the groove
On site they know my song
An it ain't slow and it sho ain't long
You see I do not play
Forgiveth me father I was forced
Out of Feng Shui
A flow as subtle as a summer breeze
Whispering winds through
The talking trees
Too big to be boxed in it bobs and weaves
It evolves it solves it gives and receives
And everything I say is
Calculated appropriated
Written and arranged in Feng Shui
The lyrics to Gnarls Barkley's song Feng Shui describe a house that follows the principles of Feng Shui, a Chinese system of geomancy believed to use energy forces to harmonize individuals with their surrounding environment. The decor of the house is a manifestation of the principle 'less is more', where each aspect of the house, from the furniture to the clothes worn by the inhabitant, is carefully planned to be in harmony with the environment. The house is devoid of clutter, with only a plant, pet, books, and a frame for a picture. An important criteria is that anyone invited to the house should also complement the Feng Shui.
Even the clothes worn by the inhabitant are designed to consider the day's forecast, with fabrics tailored to adorn the body in harmony with the environment. The inhabitant moves with a calculated flow that is subtle like a summer breeze, giving and receiving energy. The lyrics note that the inhabitant was forced out of Feng Shui and asks for forgiveness. The song stresses the importance of living in harmony with the environment, where every aspect of life is arranged to promote balance, positivity, and well-being.
Line by Line Meaning
In this house the decor is the obvious obscure
The home's interior design is deliberately contradictory and unconventional.
See clearly the theory of less is more
The belief that simplicity and minimalism are defining principles of good design.
A plant a pet
Having living things in the room as decoration.
Books on a shelf
Making use of bookshelves to display reading material.
And a frame on the wall where you can Picture yourself
Displaying photographs or artwork that have personal meaning and relevance.
And you're welcome to stay
Inviting guests to their home.
But even your company must complement The Feng Shui
Expecting guests to match the home's aesthetic and energy flow.
Even down to what I have on They do wonder to what Extents I have gone
Even clothing is chosen to align with the home's Feng Shui.
Tailored and tapered couture to the curb Demanding the attention That it does deserve
Outfits chosen to draw attention and make a statement.
Fabrics for the forecast of the day
Clothing chosen based on the expected weather or mood.
I admit it Everything is fitted to fall in Feng Shui
Everything in their life is arranged to follow the principles of Feng Shui.
More importantly the way that I move
Their movements and actions are also dictated by Feng Shui principles.
If I'm in your town my needles down On the groove
When visiting new places, they adapt to the environment and follow local customs.
On site they know my song An it ain't slow and it sho ain't long
Their distinctive style and approach is noticeable and memorable to others.
You see I do not play Forgiveth me father I was forced Out of Feng Shui
A metaphor acknowledging that sometimes they have to act outside of their usual principles.
A flow as subtle as a summer breeze Whispering winds through The talking trees
Describing their approach as calm and unobtrusive.
Too big to be boxed in it bobs and weaves It evolves it solves it gives and receives
Their approach is also adaptable and can change as circumstances require.
And everything I say is Calculated appropriated Written and arranged in Feng Shui
Even speech and language are chosen deliberately to follow Feng Shui principles.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRIAN JOSEPH BURTON, NINO . NARDINI, THOMAS CALLAWAY, THOMAS DECARLO CALLAWAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind