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.
Theme for the Cross
King Krule Lyrics
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The blue was a view but was tortured
Chem-trails poke holes through commuters
Swept sweat we went to find water
Tin can flew off to New York
The TV had said that you ought to
The same show protested the order
From fifty-foot cigs blowing smoke across the border
And weren't allowed refuge from the horrors
The instruction was mutual borders
I ain't felt this world and its orbit
Haven't felt this world and its orbit
TV runs the show's creds and goes dead
Now it's time to climb bed and be well-slept
Sometimes I watch the TV in my head
Sometimes I watch the TV in my head
The lyrics in King Krule's "Theme for the Cross" are thought-provoking and center around the theme of the overwhelming influence the media has on our lives and how it shapes our perceptions of the world around us. The first verse describes the beauty of the sky contrasted with the harm being done to it by chem-trails, the artificial clouds left by airplanes. The singer then reflects on the pervasive influence of the media on society, shown through the directive to go to New York that was presumably given through television. Throughout the song, there are references to the horrors of the world, such as the men who drowned holding their daughters and were not allowed refuge, highlighting the media's problematic role in shaping our perception of global events.
As the song progresses, King Krule touches on how the media can even shape our thoughts and dreams, stating "sometimes I watch the TV in my head." The final lines of the song suggest a desire to disconnect from the chaotic world and find solace in sleep.
Overall, "Theme for the Cross" is a commentary on how the media can manipulate our perceptions of the world, and how it is essential to be aware of this influence and distinguish truth from fiction.
Line by Line Meaning
The sky was open and gorgeous
The sky was clear and beautiful.
The blue was a view but was tortured
The blue sky was a pleasant sight to see, but it was contaminated.
Chem-trails poke holes through commuters
The trails left by planes filled with chemicals penetrate through the air and affect people commuting.
Swept sweat we went to find water
We were sweating and went to find water.
Tin can flew off to New York
A tin can flew off to New York.
The TV had said that you ought to
The TV suggested that you should do something.
The same show protested the order
The TV program that suggested something also opposed an official command.
From fifty-foot cigs blowing smoke across the border
Cigarettes that were 50 feet long polluted the air that crossed the border.
To men who'd drowned holding their daughters
Men who died while holding their children.
And weren't allowed refuge from the horrors
Those who suffered could not find safety or escape.
The instruction was mutual borders
The guidelines were to establish and respect shared boundaries.
I ain't felt this world and its orbit
I do not understand the world and the way it operates.
Haven't felt this world and its orbit
I still do not understand the world and the way it operates.
TV runs the show's creds and goes dead
The program's credentials are displayed on TV before it ends.
Now it's time to climb bed and be well-slept
Now it's time to go to bed and have a good night's sleep.
Sometimes I watch the TV in my head
Sometimes, my thoughts are influenced by TV programming.
Sometimes I watch the TV in my head
Sometimes, my thoughts are influenced by TV programming.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Archie Marshall, Ignacio Salvadores
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind