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.
Destroyer
Kevin Morby Lyrics
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With her long blonde hair?
Everything we did just went so wrong
Last time that I saw her
She was standing there
Now I've come to wonder where she's gone
Where she's gone, lord
Where she's gone, lord
And have you seen my mother
She's out looking for my father?
Didn't think that she'd be gone this long
He's gone where you can't go
But I let her have her fun
Now I've come to wonder where she's gone
Where she's gone, lord
Where she's gone, lord
Now I've come to wonder where she's gone
And what about my sister
She looks just like me
Looking into her is like a mirror
And when we were young
We weren't two but one
Sometimes I come to wonder where she's gone
Where she's gone, lord where she's gone
Without a kingdom
Without a bird over my head
Don't believe what they told you
Believe what you heard or what I said
And now I go down towards the water
In which we cried
And now I go down towards the dirt
In which we died, died, died, died
Destroyer destroyer
And, oh, what about me?
I'm out wandering the streets
Silently carrying a song
Until it gets too loud
And it comes rushing out of my mouth
Oh, you'll probably wonder where I've gone
Where I've gone, lord where I've gone, lord
Oh, you'll probably wonder where I've gone
Destroyer destroyer
The lyrics of Kevin Morby's song "Destroyer" explore themes of loss, abandonment, and self-discovery. The song opens with the singer searching for his lover, describing her physical appearance with her long blonde hair. He reflects on their relationship, acknowledging that everything they did together went wrong. The last time he saw her, she was standing there, but now he wonders where she has gone. This repetition of questioning her whereabouts emphasizes his longing and confusion.
The second verse shifts the focus to the singer's mother, who is out looking for his father. He expresses surprise at how long she's been gone, suggesting that he may have expected her to return sooner. The line "He's gone where you can't go" suggests that the father has passed away, and while the singer allowed his mother to have her fun, he now wonders where she has gone.
The third verse brings attention to the singer's sister, who looks just like him. The line "Looking into her is like a mirror" implies a deep connection between them. However, he notes that when they were young, they were not separate individuals but rather a unified entity. This suggests that they may have drifted apart or that something has changed, leaving him wondering where she has gone.
The chorus, with its repetition of "Where she's gone, lord," serves as a refrain throughout the song, emphasizing the singer's longing and unanswered questions about the people he has lost.
In the final verse, the singer turns the focus on himself. He describes himself as wandering the streets and carrying a song silently, until it becomes too overwhelming and bursts out of his mouth. This could symbolize his internal struggle and the need to express himself. He acknowledges that others may wonder where he has gone, mirroring his own curiosity about the whereabouts of his loved ones. The repetition of "Destroyer destroyer" at the end suggests a sense of destruction or chaos that he feels within himself.
Overall, the lyrics of "Destroyer" capture the emotional weight of loss and the search for meaning in the absence of loved ones. The song delves deep into themes of abandonment and self-discovery, painting a vivid picture of longing and introspection.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you seen my lover
Do you know the whereabouts of the person I was romantically involved with?
With her long blonde hair?
She has distinctive long, blonde hair.
Everything we did just went so wrong
Our relationship was plagued with constant misfortunes and failures.
Last time that I saw her
The most recent encounter I had with her
She was standing there
She was present in that location.
Now I've come to wonder where she's gone
I am now filled with curiosity and uncertainty regarding her whereabouts.
And have you seen my mother
Do you happen to know the location of my mother?
She's out looking for my father?
She is currently searching for my father's whereabouts.
Didn't think that she'd be gone this long
I didn't anticipate her absence to last for such a considerable duration.
He's gone where you can't go
My father has departed to a place inaccessible to ordinary individuals.
But I let her have her fun
I allowed my mother to enjoy herself during this period of searching.
Now I've come to wonder where she's gone
I am now filled with curiosity and uncertainty regarding her whereabouts.
And what about my sister
What is happening with my sister?
She looks just like me
She bears a striking resemblance to me.
Looking into her is like a mirror
Observing her is akin to gazing into a reflection of myself.
And when we were young
During our early years
We weren't two but one
We were not separate entities, but a unified whole.
Sometimes I come to wonder where she's gone
Occasionally, I find myself contemplating her current whereabouts.
Without a kingdom
Devoid of a realm or dominion
Without a bird over my head
Lacking the presence of a bird flying above me
Don't believe what they told you
Do not put trust in the information provided by others.
Believe what you heard or what I said
Place your faith in either the information you personally heard or what I have explicitly expressed.
And now I go down towards the water
Presently, I am heading towards a body of water.
In which we cried
The water where we shed tears
And now I go down towards the dirt
I am now descending towards the earth or soil.
In which we died, died, died, died
The ground where we perished multiple times.
Destroyer destroyer
The one who destroys, bringing ruin and devastation.
And, oh, what about me?
What is happening with me?
I'm out wandering the streets
I am aimlessly wandering through the streets.
Silently carrying a song
Quietly bearing a tune within me.
Until it gets too loud
Until the song becomes too overpowering.
And it comes rushing out of my mouth
And it abruptly bursts forth from my lips.
Oh, you'll probably wonder where I've gone
Oh, you will likely be curious about my current location.
Where I've gone, lord where I've gone, lord
Where I have disappeared to, dear lord, where have I gone?
Oh, you'll probably wonder where I've gone
Oh, you will likely be curious about my current location.
Destroyer destroyer
The one who destroys, bringing ruin and devastation.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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