"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.
Who's Gonna Save My Soul
Gnarls Barkley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Which in turn made my day
When this someone spoke I listened
All of a sudden has less and less to say
Oh how could this be
All this time
I lived vicariously
Who's gonna save my soul now
How will my story ever be told now
How will my story be told now
Made me feel like somebody
Like somebody else
Although he was imitated often
It felt like I was being myself
This is a shame that someone else's song
Was totally and completely depended on
Who's gonna save my soul now
Who's gonna save my soul now
I wonder if I'll live to grow old now
Getting high 'cause I feel so low down
I may be just a little selfish
All I have is the memory
Yet I never start to wonder
Was it possible you were hurting worse than me
Still my hunger turns to greed
'Cause what about what I need,
An' oh who's gonna save my soul now
Who's gonna save my soul now
Oh I know I'm out of control now
Tired enough to lay my own soul down
In "Who's Gonna Save My Soul," Gnarls Barkley sings about the experience of feeling a deep, existential despair when something you once found fulfilling no longer does. The song centers around the idea of one's dependence on another person or thing to bring meaning to one's life, and the loss of that thing leaving one feeling lost and alone. The singer of the song initially receives "bad news" that paradoxically "made [his] day," because it gives him clarity about the situation. He reflects on how he has been living vicariously through someone else and how that person has become less and less significant to him. He asks who will save his soul now that he has lost this thing he depended on.
Line by Line Meaning
Got some bad news this morning
Received some unfortunate news earlier today
Which in turn made my day
Surprisingly, the news actually improved my mood
When this someone spoke I listened
Paid attention to the words of another person
All of a sudden has less and less to say
The person who was once talkative is now quiet and reserved
Oh how could this be
Expressing disbelief about what has happened
All this time
Throughout the duration of the experience
I lived vicariously
I have been living through the experiences of others
Who's gonna save my soul now
Asking who can help me in my current predicament
How will my story ever be told now
Wondering how my experiences will be shared with others
Made me feel like somebody
Made me feel important and valued
Like somebody else
Like a person other than myself
Although he was imitated often
Even though he was copied frequently
It felt like I was being myself
I felt like I was being true to my own character
This is a shame that someone else's song
It is unfortunate that someone else's creativity
Was totally and completely depended on
Was relied upon heavily and exclusively
I wonder if I'll live to grow old now
I am questioning if I will get to live a long life
Getting high 'cause I feel so low down
Using drugs to cope with my low emotional state
I may be just a little selfish
Acknowledging that I am being a little self-centered
All I have is the memory
All I have left is the recollection of past experiences
Yet I never start to wonder
Despite that, I do not begin to question
Was it possible you were hurting worse than me
Was it conceivable that you were suffering more than I was
Still my hunger turns to greed
My desire for more grows stronger and becomes excessive
'Cause what about what I need,
Because I have my own needs to think about
An' oh who's gonna save my soul now
Asking once again for help with my spiritual well-being
Oh I know I'm out of control now
Realizing that I am currently acting recklessly
Tired enough to lay my own soul down
Exhausted to the point of giving up on myself
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brian Jospeh Burton, Francesco De Masi, Thomas Callaway
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Frank
Lucky to have this man as part of our generation… hope he gets the long term recognition he deserves as one of the best male vocalists of all time. Not many with that range and pure heart… just fills my heart
Odell Goodman-Bey
@bobbydeazy 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Pier Perrier
What a voice 😲
Amber Obney
Extacy...no for real he drugged some lady...convicted.
edward kent
@bobbydeazy You must have some sort of inane point going on in your head in your bedroom........................lmao...lmao lol lol....just trying to bring myself down to your world lmao. lol. lmao
bobbydeazy
@edward kent it's one and the same thing you moron, your comments literally make no sense.
abbeywilliams1
Probably one of the best male vocals ever.
Lindsey Burnside
I love that he doesn't really look like he's singing the majority of the time. He looks like he's just speaking. But beautifully.
Timothy Figgis
The MOST soulful tune in the world currently! I dare you to say whats better. Sound quality s a factor
Hashim Jamal
Damn son you haven’t heard of Charles Bradley then