Gnarls Barkley is an alternative/soul group which formed in 2003 in Atlanta… Read Full Bio ↴Gnarls Barkley is an alternative/soul group which formed in 2003 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. The group consists of CeeLo Green (vocals) and Brian "Danger Mouse" Burton (multiple instruments). The group is best known for the international smash hit "Crazy".

"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.

Cee-Lo has teased the release of a third GB album since at least 2018, when he said that he would meet up with Danger Mouse and they would "most likely finish [the album] quickly".

Transformer
Gnarls Barkley Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I, I, I, I, I, I
Know how to transorm
I transform
I transform
I'm a transformer
I, I, I, I, I, I
Know how to transorm
I transform

(I can do it)
I'll transform
(I can do it)
I'm a transformer

I'm just being myself
Plus I gotta be me too
Silly of me to think that
I couldn't bring myself to be you
Ah but behold there is benevolence
Behind this but I don't stare enough
Be careful 'cause I'll kill you
With kindness
That's why I'm dressed quite neatly
'Cause it's easy and discreetly they seek me
And when they reach me and see me they
Believe me completely
I'm a real live wire I ain't lying
If it's between me and you I ain't dying
I can transform, I can transform,
I can transform
Without even trying wow

I, I, I, I, I, I
Know how to transorm
I transform

I transform
I'm a transformer
I, I, I, I, I, I
Know how to transorm
I transform
I'll transform
I'm a transformer

Now I'm someone else
Now someone can be me too
Behold the beautiful and bold everyday I
Wake up to be new
Oh but it's simple but they still
Can understand why
I think I can, I think I can,
I think I can oh can I?
I'm a microchip off the old block
You know not but I was a robot
And I sold rock and you would get
For sho shoot with a gold
Glock boy I rode pac
Something that you won't see again
What the hell might as well be a friend
I can transform, I can transform,
No telling who I will have to
Be again.

I, I, I, I, I, I
Know how to transorm
I transform
I transform
I'm a transformer
I, I, I, I, I, I
Know how to transorm
I transform
I'll transform
I'm a transformer

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Transformer" by Gnarls Barkley are about transformation, both in terms of personal identity and the ability to adapt and change in different situations. The opening verse asserts the ability to transform, repeated six times in a row to emphasize the point. The singer sees themselves as a transformer, able to change and adapt at will without even trying. This could be seen as commentary on the fluidity of identity and the need for change and adaptation in a rapidly shifting world.

The second verse introduces a sense of benevolence and kindness, with the singer dressed neatly and able to charm those around them. It could be interpreted that this is a show, designed to mask a deeper sense of malevolence or uncertainty. The singer admits that "it's easy and discreetly they seek me", suggesting that they are adept at playing different roles depending on the audience, and that this sense of transformation is a survival tactic.

The chorus of the song repeats the message of transformation, but the second half introduces a sense of uncertainty and unpredictability. "No telling who I will have to be again" suggests that the ability to change and adapt is necessary to survive, but it comes at a cost. Ultimately, the song presents a conflicted view of transformation: both necessary and empowering, but also potentially dangerous and unstable.

Line by Line Meaning

I, I, I, I, I, I Know how to transorm I transform I transform I'm a transformer
I am aware of my ability to change and adapt; I am constantly transforming who I am into something new and improved, like a transformer.

(I can do it) I'll transform (I can do it) I'm a transformer
I have the confidence and the skills to transform myself at will, and I am proud to be a transformer.

I'm just being myself Plus I gotta be me too Silly of me to think that I couldn't bring myself to be you Ah but behold there is benevolence Behind this but I don't stare enough Be careful 'cause I'll kill you With kindness That's why I'm dressed quite neatly 'Cuz it's easy and discreetly they seek me And when they reach me and see me they Believe me completely I'm a real live wire I ain't lying If it's between me and you I ain't dying
I am who I am, but I also have the ability to be like you. I'm kind and benevolent, but I won't hesitate to defend myself if necessary. I dress nicely, which makes me approachable and trustworthy. I'm full of energy and will fight to survive, no matter what.

I can transform, I can transform, I can transform Without even trying wow
I am such an expert at transforming myself that I can do it seamlessly and without any effort at all. It comes naturally to me.

Now I'm someone else Now someone can be me too Behold the beautiful and bold everyday I Wake up to be new Oh but it's simple but they still Can understand why I think I can, I think I can, I think I can oh can I?
I am someone new, every day. By transforming myself, others can also be like me. It's a simple concept, but people still struggle to understand it. Despite that, I am confident in my abilities, and I believe I can become whatever or whoever I want to be.

I'm a microchip off the old block You know not but I was a robot And I sold rock and you would get For sho shoot with a gold Glock boy I rode pac Something that you won't see again What the hell might as well be a friend I can transform, I can transform, No telling who I will have to Be again.
I come from the same lineage as those before me, but I've transformed so much that you wouldn't recognize me as a robot that used to deal drugs. I used to hang out with Pac, but that era is over. You never know who I'll transform into next, but it's possible that I'll even become your friend.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRIAN JOSEPH BURTON, MARLENE (GB) MOORE, THOMAS CALLAWAY, THOMAS DECARLO CALLAWAY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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