His first album, Was Dead, was released in 2008. His eponymous album was released on 29th May 2012, charting at twenty-one on Billboard's Heatseeker Albums chart. The album also entered the CMJ charts at fourteen, eventually climbing to number two. His most recent album, Smalltown Stardust, was released on Sub Pop in 2023.
Evergreen
King Tuff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shield my face from everyone
Red and yellow bird and me
You don't have to care about me
Everybody it's okay
You can always look the other way
Things that burn the clear blue line
I'm in love and I don't care
Peace is only when I die
Everybody it's okay
You can always look the other way
'Cause I'm not really here
I'm not really here
I'm not really here
I'm not really here
Not really here
Not really here
Not really here
When you met me I was young
Skinny in the summer sun
Red and yellow bird and me
But nothing's really evergreen
Everybody it's okay
You can always look the other way
'Cause I'm not really here
I'm not really here
I'm not really here
I'm not really here
Not really here
Not really here
Not really here
King Tuff's song Evergreen is a melancholic and cryptic reflection on relationships and the concept of permanency in life. The opening lines, "I drink from a dirty cup, shield my face from everyone", highlight a sense of detachment and alienation. The singer seems to be avoiding human connections, seeking solace in solitude instead.
The red and yellow bird that is mentioned twice in the song is possibly a reference to the song Thrasher by Neil Young. In that song, the bird is a metaphor for freedom and escape, perhaps implying that the singer feels trapped in some way. The repetition of the chorus line "I'm not really here" suggests that the singer feels disconnected from reality and perhaps feels like an outsider in their own life.
The verse "When you met me I was young, skinny in the summer sun" suggests a memory of a past relationship or encounter. However, the line "But nothing's really evergreen" implies that even the good times and happy memories eventually fade away. The song seems to be a reflection on the transient nature of life and relationships, and the futility of trying to hold on to them. Overall, Evergreen is a poignant and evocative exploration of the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
I drink from a dirty cup
I indulge in negative habits
Shield my face from everyone
I avoid the judgmental gaze of people
Red and yellow bird and me
I have occasional companionship
You don't have to care about me
I'm not seeking your attention
Everybody it's okay
I'm aware of the indifference of the world
You can always look the other way
You can ignore me if you want to
Things that burn the clear blue line
Things that challenge conventions, standards, and norms
In the white of every eye
In every person's perspective
I'm in love and I don't care
I'm in love and I'm not ashamed
Peace is only when I die
I'll only attain peace after my life ends
'Cause I'm not really here
I'm not fully present in this world
Not really here
My existence is fleeting and transient
When you met me I was young
I was young and carefree when you met me
Skinny in the summer sun
I was thin and basked in the warmth of summer
But nothing's really evergreen
Nothing lasts forever and everything changes
Contributed by Isaac J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Die Mannequin
on Wild Desire
i was always disPlaced like an alien race
jusT Goin’ by the liGHT of the moon.
a bedHeaded musician on a deadend mission
i Had no idea what i wa supposed to do.
buT i feelinG like Heaven aT THe 711
i was burning like a blown ouT Tire.
me and Tavi Goin bad as we were HanGin’ on THe same old wire.
so we jumPed inTo THe fires..
of wild desire.
wild desire.
i was looking for trouble like lion in the jungle
yeaH They call me The infinite kid.
i was blown out my brains like a speeding steel train
and waving like a flag in The wind.
anoTHer Hungry motherfucker another filTHy blood sucker.
i was thirsty like a wild vamPire.
so i traded my crown as The kinG of my local empire.
and i jumped inTo THe fires..
of wild desire.
wild desire.
wild desire.
oH we were livin’ in a Prison of our own admission
yeaH we musT Have been HiGH from the fumes.,
cos we were yelling an screaming like some schizoid demons
THrowin’ Punches in the pitch black room..
so we made our escaPe swinGinG Poisonous snakes.
n’ GeTTinG cuT uP on the razor wire.
but we didn’t Give a fuck cos’ we were so fucked up and Tired.
so we jumped inTo THe fires……
of wild desire.
wild desire.
wild desire…
wild desire.