"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.
Just a Thought
Gnarls Barkley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As in the small act of affection
Why is this my life?
Is almost everybody's question
And I've tried,
Everything but suicide,
But it's crossed my mind
I prefer peace,
Wouldn't have to have one worldy possesion,
But essentially I'm an animal,
So just what do I do with all the aggresion?
Well I've tried,
Everything but suicide,
But it's crossed my mind
Life is a one way street and,
If you could paint it,
I'd draw myself going in the right direction,
So I go all the way,
Like I really, really know but the truth is,
I'm only guessing
And I've tried,
Everything but suicide,
Ooh but it's crossed my mind
Just a thought
It's even dark in the day time,
It's not just good, it's great depression
When I was lost I even found myself,
Looking in the gun's direction
And so I've tried
Everything but suicide
But yes, it's crossed my mind
But I'm fine
The lyrics of Gnarls Barkley's song "Just a Thought" touch on themes of depression, suicidal thoughts, inner turmoil, and the desire for understanding and affection. The first two lines express the singer's desire for someone to understand them through small acts of affection. Then, the lyrics move to questioning the singer's own life and how "almost everybody" wonders about their own existence. The singer confesses to having considered suicide but also expresses a preference for peace and the lack of worldly possessions. This is juxtaposed against the singer's admission that they are essentially an animal, which begs the question of what to do with their aggression.
The next section speaks to the uncertainty of life and the singer's desire to go in a particular direction, yet acknowledging that this desire is only a guess. The singer continues to grapple with suicidal thoughts, admitting that the depression is so great that it's even dark during the day and that they have found themselves looking in a gun's direction. Despite this, the singer concludes that they are "fine," leaving it up to the listener to interpret whether this is sincere or a means of masking their true feelings.
Overall, the lyrics of "Just a Thought" are a poignant and candid reflection on the complex nature of mental health and the struggles that many people face in their daily lives.
Line by Line Meaning
All I want is your understanding,
I seek empathy from you, a small act of kindness.
As in the small act of affection
To show me some love.
Why is this my life?
Questioning my existence is a ubiquitous human tendency.
Is almost everybody's question
Most people wonder about the reason behind their life.
And I've tried,
I worked hard to find solutions.
Everything but suicide,
I explored every possibility but giving up my life.
But it's crossed my mind
But the idea of it did briefly occur to me.
I prefer peace,
I want tranquility and harmony.
Wouldn't have to have one worldly possession,
I don't need material things to be content.
But essentially I'm an animal,
I am a living being with primal instincts.
So just what do I do with all the aggression?
But I struggle with controlling my violent emotions.
Life is a one way street and,
We can only move forward in life.
If you could paint it,
If life was a canvas.
I'd draw myself going in the right direction,
I imagine myself progressing towards my goals.
So I go all the way,
I put forth my best effort.
Like I really, really know but the truth is,
As if I am confident, but in reality,
I'm only guessing
I am uncertain about the future.
Ooh but it's crossed my mind
Again, the idea of suicide has come up.
Just a thought
Just a fleeting idea.
It's even dark in the daytime,
The world can be bleak even during daylight hours.
It's not just good, it's great depression
It's not just sadness; it's a debilitating mental illness.
When I was lost I even found myself,
When I felt directionless and alone,
Looking in the gun's direction
I even contemplated taking my own life.
But yes, it's crossed my mind
The idea of suicide still haunts me.
But I'm fine
But for now, I am okay.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG Rights Management
Written by: BRIAN JOSEPH BURTON, KEVIN JAMES PEEK, THOMAS CALLAWAY, THOMAS DECARLO CALLAWAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind