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.
Reign
Kevin Morby Lyrics
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Tore my town apart by emptying my loaded gun
Into the atmosphere
Catching bodies along the way
Now the Lord can't help me and
There ain't no god to save
A wretch like me, a wretch like me
A wretch like me
My family is upset but I'm
Still their baby boy
Who's never gone nowhere alone
But now he ain't got no choice
I'm goin' down, I'm going down
Goin' down, down, down, goin' down
Oh, but I don't wanna go to hell, no
I don't wanna go to hell
If the devil is a bully
Then I guess I might as well still be alive
And at the football games
Everyone will know my name
Won't matter if they're local
Or they're in from out of state
Innocent boy turned dangerous who went
To the mall that day
He grew up in the foothills
Went to that mall to slay
And like a bad dream, that feels so real
That it can't be, but it is still
And like a nightmare taken out of sleep
It hit's you in the morning like
A newspaper at your feet
My name will reign, my name will reign
My name will reign
Cryin' on my mama's shoulders
Holdin' my daddy's hand
Look into my sister's eyes
I know it's hard to understand
What I did won't be forgiven
And what I did is neverending
Look up at the school and tell me
What do you see?
There's something wrong with all of them
There's nothing wrong with me
My name will reign, name will reign
My name will reign
My name will reign, reign my name will reign
My name will reign, reign my name will reign
My name will reign, reign my name will reign
My name will reign, reign my name will reign
When I was young, just under 21
Tore my town apart by emptying my loaded gun
Into the atmosphere
Catching bodies along the way
Now the Lord can't help me and there ain't
No god to save a wretch like me
The lyrics to Kevin Morby's song "Reign" depict a troubled individual reflecting on their past actions and the consequences they must face. The opening lines suggest a moment in the singer's youth when they committed a violent act, shooting their gun and causing harm to others. The sense of remorse is evident as they acknowledge that neither the Lord nor any higher power can offer salvation or forgiveness for someone as wretched as themselves.
The second verse delves into the singer's family dynamics, highlighting their status as the baby of the family who has always relied on the support and protection of their loved ones. However, due to their actions, they now find themselves in a situation where they have no choice but to face the repercussions alone. The repetition of the phrase "I'm going down" emphasizes the singer's descent into a dark path and their struggle with the consequences of their actions.
The chorus introduces a shift in perspective, seemingly imagining a scenario where the singer becomes notorious, especially in the context of football games. The lyrics suggest that their name will become known, regardless of whether it's by the local community or people from outside the area. This notion reflects a distorted desire for recognition and fame, even amidst the guilt and the weight of their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was young, just under 21
During my youth, when I was slightly below the legal age of adulthood
Tore my town apart by emptying my loaded gun
Caused significant devastation in my community by using my firearm recklessly
Into the atmosphere
With no regard for the consequences or where the bullets would go
Catching bodies along the way
Accidentally harming and injuring people as a result
Now the Lord can't help me and there ain't no god to save
I am beyond redemption and no higher power can offer me salvation
A wretch like me, a wretch like me
I am a despicable person, completely unworthy
My family is upset but I'm still their baby boy
Although my family is disappointed in my actions, they still see me as their beloved, youthful child
Who's never gone nowhere alone, but now he ain't got no choice
I have always been accompanied in my ventures, but now I am forced to face the consequences alone
I'm goin' down, I'm going down
I am descending into a bleak fate
Going down, down, down, goin' down
Sinking deeper and deeper into despair and punishment
Oh, but I don't wanna go to hell, no
Despite my wrongdoings, I do not wish to face eternal damnation
If the devil is a bully, then I guess I might as well still be alive
Even if the devil torments me, being alive is preferable to facing the finality of death
And at the football games, everyone will know my name
My infamy will spread widely, even reaching the audience of football games
Won't matter if they're local or they're in from out of state
Whether people are from the area or visiting from other places, they will be aware of me
Innocent boy turned dangerous who went to the mall that day
They will know me as the innocent boy who unexpectedly turned violent at the mall
He grew up in the foothills, went to that mall to slay
Having grown up in the suburbs, I went to that mall with the intention of causing harm
And like a bad dream, that feels so real
Similar to a vivid and troubling nightmare
That it can't be, but it is still
A situation that seems impossible, but tragically it is true
And like a nightmare taken out of sleep
Like a terrifying dream abruptly pulled from the realm of slumber
It hits you in the morning like a newspaper at your feet
The weight of the reality strikes you with the impact of an unexpected newspaper lying at your feet
My name will reign, my name will reign
My infamy and notoriety will be everlasting and influential
Crying on my mama's shoulders, holding my daddy's hand
Seeking comfort and solace from my mother while my father provides support
Look into my sister's eyes, I know it's hard to understand
Looking into the eyes of my sister, knowing that she struggles to comprehend my actions
What I did won't be forgiven and what I did is neverending
My wrongdoing cannot be pardoned, and its consequences will persist indefinitely
Look up at the school and tell me, what do you see?
Observing the educational institution and questioning what others perceive
There's something wrong with all of them, there's nothing wrong with me
Believing that there is an issue with the people around me, while denying any fault within myself
My name will reign, name will reign
My notoriety and influence will endure
My name will reign
My name will be remembered and acknowledged
Reign my name will reign
My name will assert authority and domination
My name will reign, reign my name will reign
My name will continue to possess power and control
My name will reign, reign my name will reign
My name will maintain supremacy and influence
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., TERRORBIRD PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: JUSTIN GERARD SULLIVAN, KEVIN ROBERT MORBY, ROB BARBATO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind