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.
Midnight 01
King Krule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To drift so carefree
The moonlight reflects in the pool of darker times
Inter sink to darker measures
The submariner seeks pride from depths hard to find forever waiting
A pool of strange things
Its skill
Its craving
Its quill
And outside I think its raining
Why'd you leave me
Because of my depression
You used to complete me
But I guess I learned a lesson
Things are even
But don't even out
The deep sea divers in doubt
And if we swim down low
This pressure might go beneath the covers
The cotton ceiling
And if we swim down low
This pressure might grow
And these city lights I'm wandering home
And if we swim down low
The pressure might go beneath the sheets I'm covered in
And if we swim down low
The pressure might grow
Those woes are still hovering
This day is slipping
I feel my feet drift
Torn that city skin
I walk the beat swift
The sun sets
The moon lives
Those blue hours
Those blue hours
Those blue hours
That blue shift
The lyrics to King Krule's Midnight 01 depict the singer's feelings of being lost and overwhelmed in a deep, dark depression. The "liquid scenery" that the singer describes creates an "indigo complexion," and as they drift carefree, they reflect on the darker times in their life. The moonlight reflects in a pool, symbolizing the reflection of the singer's own darker thoughts. The submariner mentioned in the lyrics represents the singer, seeking comfort and pride in the depths of their own depression, which is difficult to find and forever waiting. The "pool of strange things" that the singer describes represents the complexity and unpredictability of their own mind.
The chorus of the song shifts to a plea for help and understanding, as the singer expresses their confusion over why their partner left them due to their depression. The pressure of the depression is represented by the metaphor of swimming down low, where it may grow, but if they remain on the surface, the pressure will remain unrelenting. The final verse returns to the singer's internal struggles, as they feel themselves slipping and drifting away from their own identity. The "blue hours" and "blue shift" represent the emotional state of the singer, who may be experiencing a "blue shift" in which emotions become more intense as they move deeper into depression.
Line by Line Meaning
The liquid scenery caused an indigo complexion
The surroundings were so serene and beautiful that it had a calming effect and created an atmosphere for contemplation.
To drift so carefree
To wander aimlessly, free from any obligations or responsibilities.
The moonlight reflects in the pool of darker times
The quiet of the night provides the perfect backdrop for reflection on past experiences and difficult memories.
Inter sink to darker measures
The feelings of darkness and sadness begin to set in, and a person may sink deeper and deeper into those emotions.
The submariner seeks pride from depths hard to find forever waiting
One may search for self-worth or redemption in the depths of their emotions or experiences, hoping to find satisfaction or peace.
A pool of strange things
The thoughts and memories that come to the surface when one is alone and reflective can be unpredictable and unfamiliar.
Its skill
The ability to cope with difficult emotions or situations, often learned through experience and time.
Its craving
The strong desire to find meaning or understanding in one's experiences, or to find a way to move past the negative emotions.
Its comfort
The solace that can be found in being alone and reflective, or in the act of creating something meaningful out of difficult experiences.
Its quill
The power of art or writing to express and process emotions in a way that is therapeutic and healing.
And outside I think its raining
There is a sense of loneliness and isolation, even in the midst of natural surroundings or urban activity.
Why'd you leave me
The pain of losing someone who was once a source of happiness and comfort.
Because of my depression
The guilt and self-blame that often comes with mental illness and its impact on relationships.
You used to complete me
The hope and expectation that another person will fill a void or provide a sense of purpose or direction.
But I guess I learned a lesson
The realization that relying on another person for fulfillment is ultimately unfulfilling and unsustainable.
Things are even
There is a sense of balance or stability in life at the moment.
But don't even out
This balance is precarious and could easily be disrupted at any moment.
The deep sea divers in doubt
A metaphor for someone who is uncertain or hesitant to explore the depths of their emotions or experiences.
And if we swim down low
This pressure might go beneath the covers
The cotton ceiling
And if we swim down low
This pressure might grow
And these city lights I'm wandering home
And if we swim down low
The pressure might go beneath the sheets I'm covered in
And if we swim down low
The pressure might grow
Those woes are still hovering
The idea that exploring emotional depths could lead to relief or intensified emotional pain. The lyrics also refer to the comfort of home and the uncertainties of city life.
This day is slipping
The swift passage of time and the realization that opportunities may be missed or lost.
I feel my feet drift
The sense of aimlessness or lack of direction that can come with feeling lost or uncertain.
Torn that city skin
The tension between the desire for the comfort of home and the need to explore and grow as a person, even if that means leaving one's comfort zone.
I walk the beat swift
The urgency to keep moving forward and not get stuck in stagnant or negative situations.
The sun sets
The end of a day and the impending arrival of darkness and introspection.
The moon lives
The power and influence of the night and its ability to encourage reflection and self-examination.
Those blue hours
The moments of stillness and reflection that come with the quiet of the night.
That blue shift
A reference to the Doppler effect and the idea of shifting perspectives or changing viewpoints.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Archy Ivan Marshall
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind