In 2013, while still a teenager, Marshall released the first King Krule album, 6 Feet Beneath the Moon, on XL in the U.K. and True Panther in the U.S. Marshall then collaborated with his brother Jack for the relatively fluid, more electronic A New Place 2 Drown. Released in 2015 and credited to Archy Marshall, its physical edition was packaged with a 208-page book of poetry, photography, and art. King Krule fully reactivated in 2017 with a handful of varied singles -- the dreamlike ballad "Czech One," the mid-tempo rocker "Dum Surfer," and the rumbling "Half Man Half Shark," all featuring saxophone from Ignacio Salvadores -- that led up to The Ooz, an hour-long follow-up written during a three-year period.
Half Man Half Shark
King Krule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Half man with a body of a shark
Half man with a body of a shark
Half man with a body of a shark
Half man with a body of a shark
Half man with a body of a shark
Half man with a body of a shark
Half man with a body of a shark
Half man with a body of a shark
Half man with a body of a shark
Half man with a body of a shark
Half man with a body of a shark
Half man with a body of a shark
Half man with a body of a shark
Half man with a body of a shark
Half man with the body of a shark
Man, you know they left me in the dark for days
Ah man, if you try and it works, well maybe it can stay
It was a corrosive touch, I just lost too much in my soul
Perhaps the emotive rush turned my brain to mush
I'll never know
You were so fine the moonlight
Head aligned with your eyes in my sight
Caught everything
Simple soft thoughts, simples soft thoughts become menacing
Twisted raw adrenaline
Racing through my bones, racing through my body
I'll never know
Ah man, if you try and it works, well maybe it could stay
It's the evoking trust holding this frame of rust, I had to let go
To let this place combust you must refrain from lust
Dismantle the throne
You were so fine the moonlight
Head aligned with your eyes in my sight
Caught everything
Simple soft thoughts, simples soft thoughts become menacing
Twisted raw adrenaline
Racing through my bones, racing through my body
And if you don't know and if you don't care, don't try to hide it
You're not even there
And if you don't know and if you don't care, don't try to fight it
You're not even aware
And if you don't know and if you don't care, don't try to fight it
You're not even there
And if you don't know and if you don't care, don't try to fight it
You're not even there
Brother, brother
I've only got two fighting hands
Brother, brother
Make it hard for us to understand
Brother, brother
I've only got two fighting hands
Brother, brother
They make it hard for us to get together in this land
Half man with the body of a shark
Half man with the body of a shark
Half man with the body of a shark
Don't try to hide it
Half man with the body of a shark
See world, you'll never know
At least when you look to the stars they still glow
Well, not for me though
Body and head are empty, even when we're toe to toe
Well, I suppose I'll forever be the only one who knows
Aspirations ingrown, I'll forever be alone
See world, you'll never know
At least when you look to the stars they still glow
Well, not for me though
Body and head are empty, even when we're toe to toe
Well, I suppose I'll forever be the only one who knows
Aspirations ingrown, girl, I'll forever be alone
They just don't care
The lyrics of "Half Man Half Shark" by King Krule seem at first glance to be repetitive and simplistic, but upon closer examination, they reveal themselves to be a meditation on alienation and the difficulty of connecting with others. The repeated refrain of "Half man with the body of a shark" suggests a sense of internal conflict and duality, as if the singer feels torn between two different identities or ways of being. The image of a shark, with its predatory instincts and fearsome reputation, might also be seen as a metaphor for the singer's own sense of isolation and danger.
The verses of the song delve deeper into these themes of loneliness and disconnection. The opening lines suggest that the singer has been left in the dark, both literally and metaphorically, and is struggling to find his way back to the light. He seems to be grappling with some kind of emotional trauma or crisis, and the "corrosive touch" he refers to may be a reference to the corrosive effects of that trauma on his psyche. As the song progresses, the singer becomes more introspective and self-critical, admitting that he doesn't know the reasons behind his own feelings and desires.
The chorus of the song takes on a more confrontational tone, with the singer addressing an unnamed "you" who may represent society as a whole. He seems to be challenging this audience to acknowledge the pain and suffering of those who feel disconnected and isolated, and urging them to do more to help. The repeated line "You're not even there" suggests that he feels ignored or dismissed, and that his struggles are being overlooked or ignored.
Overall, "Half Man Half Shark" is a haunting and thought-provoking song that explores themes of identity, isolation, and emotional pain. It may not be the easiest song to understand at first listen, but its powerful imagery and vivid language make it a rewarding and deeply affecting piece of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Half man with the body of a shark
The character being described has physical qualities of both a man and a shark.
Man, you know they left me in the dark for days
The character was left alone and felt isolated.
Ah man, if you try and it works, well maybe it can stay
The character is contemplating trying something new and hoping for a positive outcome.
It was a corrosive touch, I just lost too much in my soul
The character had a negative experience that caused them emotional distress and a loss of soul.
Perhaps the emotive rush turned my brain to mush, I'll never know
The character is unsure of the cause of their negative experience, but speculates it may have been due to intense emotions.
You were so fine the moonlight
The character is reflecting on a romantic interest who appeared attractive in the moonlight.
Head aligned with your eyes in my sight
The character noticed alignment between their love interest's head and eyes.
Caught everything
The character noticed everything about their love interest in that moment.
Simple soft thoughts, simples soft thoughts become menacing
The character's innocent thoughts became dark and unsettling.
Twisted raw adrenaline, racing through my bones, racing through my body
The character is experiencing intense physical and emotional sensations.
It's the evoking trust holding this frame of rust, I had to let go
The character had to release a certain level of trust in order to let go of something harmful to them.
To let this place combust you must refrain from lust
In order to prevent a destructive situation, the character must resist temptation and desire.
Dismantle the throne
The character must tear down something powerful and oppressive.
And if you don't know and if you don't care, don't try to hide it / You're not even there / And if you don't know and if you don't care, don't try to fight it / You're not even aware
The character is addressing someone who is indifferent, telling them to not pretend to care or fight when they are not truly present or aware of what is happening.
Brother, brother / I've only got two fighting hands / Brother, brother / Make it hard for us to understand / Brother, brother / I've only got two fighting hands / Brother, brother / They make it hard for us to get together in this land
The character addresses a fellow male, expressing the limited physical capacity to fight and how it creates difficulty in their ability to come together.
See world, you'll never know / At least when you look to the stars they still glow / Well, not for me though / Body and head are empty, even when we're toe to toe / Well, I suppose I'll forever be the only one who knows / Aspirations ingrown, girl, I'll forever be alone / They just don't care
The character feels disconnected from the world and people around them, and has given up hope for certain aspirations to become reality. They feel alone and like no one understands them or cares about their struggles.
Half man with the body of a shark
Recurring reference to the character's physical qualities.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Archy Ivan Marshall
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mario Parra
Lyrics.
Half man with the body of a shark [x16]
Half man with the body of a shark, man you know they left me in the dark for days
Ah man if you try and it works well maybe it can stay
It was a corrosive touch, I just lost too much in my soul
Perhaps the emotive rush turned my brain to mush
I’ll never know
You were so fine the moonlight, head aligned with your eyes in my sight
Caught everything
Simple soft thoughts, simples soft thoughts become menacing
Twisted raw adrenaline
Racing through my bones, racing through my body
I’ll never know
Ah man if you try and it works well maybe it could stay
It’s the evoke of trust holding this frame of rust, I had to let go
To let this place combust you must refrain from lust
Dismantle the throne
You were so fine the moonlight, head aligned with your eyes in my sight
Caught everything
Simple soft thoughts, simples soft thoughts become menacing
Twisted raw adrenaline
Racing through my bones, racing through my body
And if you don’t know and if you don’t care, don’t try to hide it
You’re not even there
And if you don’t know and if you don’t care, don’t try to fight it
You’re not even aware
And if you don’t know and if you don’t care, don’t try to fight it
You’re not even there
And if you don’t know and if you don’t care, don’t try to fight it
You’re not even there
Brother, brother
I’ve only got two fighting hands
Brother, brother
Make it hard for us to understand
Brother, brother
I’ve only got two fighting hands
Brother, brother
They make it hard for us to get together in this land
Half man with the body of a shark
Half man with the body of a shark
Half man with the body of a shark
Don’t try to hide it
Half man with the body of a shark
See world you’ll never know
At least when you look to the stars they still glow
Well not for me though
Body and head are empty, even when we’re toe to toe
Well I suppose, I’ll forever be the only one who knows
Aspirations ingrown, I’ll forever be alone
See world you’ll never know
At least when you look to the stars they still glow
Well not for me though
Body and head are empty, even when we’re toe to toe
Well I suppose, I’ll forever be the only one who knows
Aspirations ingrown, I’ll forever be alone
They just don’t care
Hunter Cooper
Half man with the body of a shark [x16]
Half man with the body of a shark, man you know they left me in the dark for days
Ah man if you try and it works well maybe it can stay
It was a corrosive touch, I just lost too much in my soul
Perhaps the emotive rush turned my brain to mush
I’ll never know
You were so fine the moonlight, head aligned with your eyes in my sight
Caught everything
Simple soft thoughts, simples soft thoughts become menacing
Twisted raw adrenaline
Racing through my bones, racing through my body
I’ll never know
Ah man if you try and it works well maybe it could stay
It’s the evoke of trust holding this frame of rust, I had to let go
To let this place combust you must refrain from lust
Dismantle the throne
You were so fine the moonlight, head aligned with your eyes in my sight
Caught everything
Simple soft thoughts, simples soft thoughts become menacing
Twisted raw adrenaline
Racing through my bones, racing through my body
And if you don’t know and if you don’t care, don’t try to hide it
You’re not even there
And if you don’t know and if you don’t care, don’t try to fight it
You’re not even aware
And if you don’t know and if you don’t care, don’t try to fight it
You’re not even there
And if you don’t know and if you don’t care, don’t try to fight it
You’re not even there
Brother, brother
I’ve only got two fighting hands
Brother, brother
Make it hard for us to understand
Brother, brother
I’ve only got two fighting hands
Brother, brother
They make it hard for us to get together in this land
Half man with the body of a shark
Half man with the body of a shark
Half man with the body of a shark
Don’t try to hide it
Half man with the body of a shark
See world you’ll never know
At least when you look to the stars they still glow
Well not for me though
Body and head are empty, even when we’re toe to toe
Well I suppose, I’ll forever be the only one who knows
Aspirations ingrown, I’ll forever be alone
See world you’ll never know
At least when you look to the stars they still glow
Well not for me though
Body and head are empty, even when we’re toe to toe
Well I suppose, I’ll forever be the only one who knows
Aspirations ingrown, I’ll forever be alone
They just don’t care
Mario Parra
Lyrics.
Half man with the body of a shark [x16]
Half man with the body of a shark, man you know they left me in the dark for days
Ah man if you try and it works well maybe it can stay
It was a corrosive touch, I just lost too much in my soul
Perhaps the emotive rush turned my brain to mush
I’ll never know
You were so fine the moonlight, head aligned with your eyes in my sight
Caught everything
Simple soft thoughts, simples soft thoughts become menacing
Twisted raw adrenaline
Racing through my bones, racing through my body
I’ll never know
Ah man if you try and it works well maybe it could stay
It’s the evoke of trust holding this frame of rust, I had to let go
To let this place combust you must refrain from lust
Dismantle the throne
You were so fine the moonlight, head aligned with your eyes in my sight
Caught everything
Simple soft thoughts, simples soft thoughts become menacing
Twisted raw adrenaline
Racing through my bones, racing through my body
And if you don’t know and if you don’t care, don’t try to hide it
You’re not even there
And if you don’t know and if you don’t care, don’t try to fight it
You’re not even aware
And if you don’t know and if you don’t care, don’t try to fight it
You’re not even there
And if you don’t know and if you don’t care, don’t try to fight it
You’re not even there
Brother, brother
I’ve only got two fighting hands
Brother, brother
Make it hard for us to understand
Brother, brother
I’ve only got two fighting hands
Brother, brother
They make it hard for us to get together in this land
Half man with the body of a shark
Half man with the body of a shark
Half man with the body of a shark
Don’t try to hide it
Half man with the body of a shark
See world you’ll never know
At least when you look to the stars they still glow
Well not for me though
Body and head are empty, even when we’re toe to toe
Well I suppose, I’ll forever be the only one who knows
Aspirations ingrown, I’ll forever be alone
See world you’ll never know
At least when you look to the stars they still glow
Well not for me though
Body and head are empty, even when we’re toe to toe
Well I suppose, I’ll forever be the only one who knows
Aspirations ingrown, I’ll forever be alone
They just don’t care
Courtney Moore
Thank you for these lyrics. This is beautiful.
hippiecheezburger
The jazz music is amazing and funky bass lines and then he sounds like a punk rocker mixed with like a van Morrison like on the spot, soul performance vocally
beflygelt
His delivery is so freaking amazing. Noone else could ever sing this like he does
henry chinaski
I love Archie's lyrics hes definitely a poet
Flat Sun Jez
You have to be Krule to be kind
marco
be king*
MissMichSan
Thank you
sky z
i-d article?
Hel
Jezbian you have to be krule to be king