The song takes its title from a 1982 pencil-on-paper piece by Jean Michel Basquiat. The late New York neo-expressionist artist is repeatedly referenced by American rappers. Jay-Z, for instance, is a devotee of Basquiat and has name-checked him in his rhymes on several occasions.
Out Getting Ribs
King Krule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well my tongue was in love
But my heart was left above
I've got to be leaving now
I thought I'd never be shot down
But girl I'm black and blue
So beaten down for you
Well I'm beaten down in bloom
Don't break away
I waste away
Don't break away
And lay me out across the grey
Hours I should have kept at bay
Well I had no chance to get away
I can't escape my own escape
Even more when it's sweet to the taste
Red stairs lead sense astray
I look up and seek for faith
Oh but girl just lean over and say
Well lay me down
Oh, ah, pull me out
Well take my crown again
He's submerged in doubt
But wait, I make my last request
See this could be the best
But blue I need to rest
See I've been broken down
So much has lost it now
I just stop and say
Girl, oh don't you worry 'bout a thing
Baby
The song "Out Getting Ribs" by King Krule is a heartfelt ballad about a tumultuous relationship that has left the singer feeling battered and bruised. The opening lines "And hate runs through my blood, well my tongue was in love, but my heart was left above" express the pain and confusion of someone who is feeling a mix of emotions. Their love for their partner is contradicted by the hate they feel, perhaps due to the way they have been treated. The singer then goes on to express their intention to leave the relationship, believing that they should never have been "shot down" in the first place.
The chorus repeats the phrase "don't break away," suggesting that the singer wants to hold on to the relationship despite the difficulties. The lines "I waste away, don't break away" express the feeling of being lost and empty without their lover. The next verse continues the theme of feeling beaten down: "And lay me out across the grey, hours I should have kept at bay, well I had no chance to get away." These lines suggest that the singer has been weakened by the relationship and feels trapped, unable to escape their own feelings.
The final verse is the most poignant, with the singer realizing that they are too broken to continue. "But wait, I make my last request, see this could be the best, but blue I need to rest. See I've been broken down, so much has lost it now, I just stop and say, girl, oh don't you worry 'bout a thing, baby." This verse could be interpreted as the singer saying goodbye to their love, acknowledging that the relationship has brought them to their knees, and that they need to move on.
Overall, "Out Getting Ribs" is a powerful song that captures the raw emotion of a difficult relationship. The lyrics allow the listener to empathize with the struggles of the singer, and the haunting, melancholic melody reinforces the sense of sadness and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
And hate runs through my blood
I am filled with anger and resentment
Well my tongue was in love
I believed I was in love, but only the words I spoke reflected this
But my heart was left above
My emotions were not fully invested in the relationship
I've got to be leaving now
I must end this relationship
I thought I'd never be shot down
I believed the relationship would last forever
But girl I'm black and blue
I am emotionally bruised and battered because of the relationship
So beaten down for you
I have been hurt and mistreated because of my love for you
Well I'm beaten down in bloom
My pain and suffering has affected my ability to grow and flourish
Don't break away
Please do not end our relationship
I waste away
I am slowly deteriorating because of this relationship
And lay me out across the grey
I am defeated and lifeless
Hours I should have kept at bay
I regret wasting my time and emotions on this relationship
Well I had no chance to get away
I felt trapped and unable to escape the relationship
I can't escape my own escape
I cannot free myself from the emotional pain caused by the relationship
Even more when it's sweet to the taste
The sweetness of the relationship made the pain of its end even more unbearable
Red stairs lead sense astray
My judgment was clouded by the intensity of the relationship
I look up and seek for faith
I search for hope and positivity in the midst of my pain
Oh but girl just lean over and say
A simple gesture of love and support would be enough to ease my pain
Well lay me down
Comfort me in my time of need
Oh, ah, pull me out
Help me escape the pain I am feeling
Well take my crown again
Help me regain my confidence and self-worth
He's submerged in doubt
I am drowning in uncertainty and hesitation
But wait, I make my last request
Before I leave, I have one final plea
See this could be the best
I realize this relationship could have been amazing
But blue I need to rest
But now, I need to move on and heal
See I've been broken down
I have been emotionally destroyed by this relationship
So much has lost it now
So much has been lost because of the relationship's end
I just stop and say
I pause and reflect on the relationship and its impact on me
Girl, oh don't you worry 'bout a thing
Please do not worry about me, I will heal and move on
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Archie Marshall
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind