Kevin Morby is an American musician, singer and songwriter. Formerly the ba… Read Full Bio ↴Kevin Morby is an American musician, singer and songwriter. Formerly the bass guitarist of the folk rock band Woods, and the frontman of The Babies, Morby began a solo career in 2013.

Harlem River marked the solo debut. Known for his work as the singer/guitarist for the Brooklyn band The Babies and bassist for Woods, the Kansas City native and new Los Angeles resident, calls the record “an homage to New York City,” his adopted home for the past five years.

Crybaby
Kevin Morby Lyrics

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I never was someone that I liked
I never was someone that you know
Now the tears flow through my eyes
And the trouble fell like a snow
I never walked down an empty street
I never was someone you'd want to meet
Just to be a normal man
Just to go out shaking hands

Now I'm walking hand in hand
With my self and with my sin
All alone on a crowded street
I never was someone you'd want to meet
Just to be a normal man
Just to go out making plans
All alone on a crowded street
I never was someone you'd want to meet

I never was someone that I liked
I never was someone that you know
Now the tears pull through my eyes
And the trouble fell like a snow

And you cried, crybaby
Come on cry, crybaby
And you cried, crybaby
Come on cry, crybaby

I never walked down an empty street
I never was someone you'd want to meet
Just to be a normal man
Just to go out shaking hands

And to cry, crybaby
Come on cry, crybaby
And to cry, crybaby
Come on cry, crybaby

And you cried, cry baby

Come on cry, cry baby
And you cried, cry baby

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Kevin Morby's song "Crybaby" capture a sense of self-doubt and isolation. The singer reflects on their lack of self-acceptance and their perception that others may not find them likable. They express a longing to be a conventional person, to fit in and engage in social interactions with ease. However, they feel trapped in their own inner struggles and disconnected from the world around them.

The imagery of tears flowing through their eyes and trouble falling like snow signifies the emotional weight and hardships they carry within themselves. The crowded street symbolizes the irony of feeling alone in the midst of a bustling, populated world. They acknowledge that they never walked down an empty street, emphasizing their lack of solitude and the constant presence of others.

The repetition of the phrase "Just to be a normal man, just to go out shaking hands" highlights their desire for a semblance of normalcy and social integration. They yearn for acceptance, wishing to be someone others would want to meet. However, their self-perception as undesirable persists throughout the song.

The chorus, with its repetition of "And you cried, crybaby, come on cry, crybaby," can be interpreted in different ways. It could be a mocking commentary, with others labeling the singer as weak or overly emotional. Alternatively, it could represent the inner voice of the singer, encouraging them to embrace their vulnerability and express their emotions, rather than suppressing them.

Overall, "Crybaby" explores themes of self-identity, loneliness, and the longing for acceptance, capturing the internal struggles and emotional conflicts of the singer.

Line by Line Meaning

I never was someone that I liked
I have always disliked the person I am

I never was someone that you know
I have always been unknown to you

Now the tears flow through my eyes
Tears stream down my face

And the trouble fell like a snow
Problems and difficulties are surrounding me

I never walked down an empty street
I have never experienced loneliness

I never was someone you'd want to meet
I have never been an appealing person to meet

Just to be a normal man
I just wish to be an ordinary person

Just to go out shaking hands
Just to socialize and meet people

Now I'm walking hand in hand
Now I am in full control of my actions

With myself and with my sin
Embracing both my true self and my flaws

All alone on a crowded street
Feeling isolated despite being surrounded by people