Black Mud
Layla Lyrics


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A mind as clear as a cloudless sky
No room for rust, no room for settled dust
A waning wild thrown to bygone days
No room for rust, no room for settled dust
I'm growing black mud up around my veins
And I'm going backwards, shutting out the name
But it's spiralling, spiralling into something bigger
I'm growing black mud up around my veins
And I'm going backwards, shutting out the name
But it's spiralling, spiralling into something bigger
Is there something bigger?
Is there something bigger?
Wide awake, but I am sleeping
No room for rust, no room for settled dust
I'm lying naked, drunk and dreaming
No room for rust, no room for settled dust
I'm growing black mud up around my veins
And I'm going backwards, shutting out the name
But it's spiralling, spiralling into something bigger
Is there something bigger
Is there something bigger
Is there something bigger
Is there something bigger
Would it all
Would it all
Would it all work at all
Would it all
Would it all
Would it all work at all
Would it all
Would it all
Would it all work at all
Would it all
I'm growing black mud up around my veins
And I'm going backwards, shutting out the name
But it's spiralling, spiralling into something bigger
I'm growing black mud up around my veins
And I'm going backwards, shutting out the name




But it's spiralling, spiralling into something bigger
Is there something bigger

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Layla's song "Black Mud" convey a sense of confusion and uncertainty in the singer. The imagery of a "clear" mind with "no room for rust" suggests a desire for mental clarity and freedom from stagnant thoughts, but the following lines suggest a nostalgia for the past ("bygone days") and a sense of being trapped ("growing black mud up around my veins"). The repetition of "spiraling" and the question of "is there something bigger" suggest that the singer feels caught in a cycle of negative thoughts and is searching for something more meaningful.


The line "Wide awake, but I am sleeping" adds to this sense of confusion and disorientation, as the singer seems to be awake but not fully present or aware of their surroundings. The final repetition of "would it all work at all" seems to be a plea for some kind of resolution or clarity, but it's unclear what specific question or issue the singer is grappling with.


Overall, "Black Mud" is a meditation on mental and emotional states of being, and the ambivalence and uncertainty that can come with that.


Line by Line Meaning

A mind as clear as a cloudless sky
My mind is clear of any doubts or confusion.


No room for rust, no room for settled dust
I am constantly moving forward and do not allow myself to become stagnant or complacent.


A waning wild thrown to bygone days
My wild and adventurous nature is fading as I become more nostalgic and reflective on the past.


I'm growing black mud up around my veins
I feel trapped and weighed down by negative emotions that are slowly consuming me.


And I'm going backwards, shutting out the name
I am retreating into myself and pushing away those around me.


But it's spiralling, spiralling into something bigger
Despite my efforts to isolate myself, my problems are only growing in severity and scope.


Is there something bigger?
I question whether there is a greater purpose or meaning to my struggles.


Wide awake, but I am sleeping
I am aware of my problems, but feel powerless to overcome them.


I'm lying naked, drunk and dreaming
My vulnerabilities and insecurities are exposed, and I try to escape reality through substance use or fantasy.


Would it all work at all
I question whether anything will ever improve or if my efforts are in vain.




Contributed by Dylan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@leylaann8448

My mind is clear as a cloudless sky
No room for rust, no room for settled dust
A waning wild thrown to bygone days
No room for rust, no room for settled dust

I'm growing black mud up around my veins
And I'm going backwards, shutting out the name
But it's spiraling, spiraling into something bigger
I'm growing black mud up around my veins
And I'm going backwards, shutting out the name
But it's spiraling, spiraling into something bigger
Is there something bigger?
Is there something bigger?

Wide awake but I am sleeping
No room for rust, no room for settled dust
I'm lying naked, drunk and dreaming
No room for rust, no room for settled dust

I'm growing black mud up around my veins
And I'm going backwards, shutting out the name
But it's spiraling, spiraling into something bigger
I'm growing black mud up around my veins
And I'm going backwards, shutting out the name
But it's spiraling, spiraling into something bigger
Is there something bigger?
Is there something bigger?
Is there something bigger?
Is there something bigger?


Would it all, would it all, would it all work at all?
Would it all, would it all, would it all work at all?
Would it all, would it all, would it all work at all?
Would it all?

I'm growing black mud up around my veins
And I'm going backwards, shutting out the name
But it's spiraling, spiraling into something bigger
I'm growing black mud up around my veins
And I'm going backwards, shutting out the name
But it's spiraling, spiraling into something bigger
Is there something bigger?
Is there something bigger?
Is there something bigger?
Is there something bigger?
~
"As iron is eaten away by rust, so the envious are consumed by their own passion." - Antisthenes



@kyladebruyn6849

[Verse 1]
My mind is clear as a cloudless sky
No room for rust, no room for settled dust
A waning wild, from two bygone days
No room for rust, no room for settled dust

[Chorus]
I'm going back, mark up around my veins
And I'm going backward shouting out the name
But it's spiraling, spiraling into something bigger
I'm going back, mark up around my veins
And I'm going backward shouting out the name
But it's spiraling, spiraling into something bigger
Is there something bigger?
Is there something bigger?

[Verse 2]
Wide awake but I am sleeping
No room for rust, no room for settled dust
I'm lying naked, drunk and dreaming
No room for rust, no room for settled dust

[Chorus]
I'm going back, mark up around my veins
And I'm going backward shouting out the name
But it's spiraling, spiraling into something bigger
I'm going back, mark up around my veins
And I'm going backward shouting out the name
But it's spiraling, spiraling into something bigger
Is there something bigger?
Is there something bigger?
Is there something bigger?
Is there something bigger?



All comments from YouTube:

@Zoejo

I had no idea Josephine was making music, before Oh Wonder, and that she used to be known as LAYLA! I just discovered this channel, and I'm in love with this song! Can't wait for the next Oh Wonder album that's coming soon!!

@NatsuMomo96

I hope you're still listening 💕

@ckelly6690

wow look at you now jose! just finished the ultralife world tour with ant playing to hundreds of thousands of people. so blessed by your music. wow look at you now you go girl

@nygrrl99

Layla is musically brilliant.

@MacMusic1202

Thank you to the television show Legends for introducing me to Layla!!! You are too brilliant!! <3

@splatteredinpaint

Okay she's amazing and needs to be heard deserves way more than 1200 subs

@fredpembleton314

splatteredinpaint now she’s Oh Wonder

@delegsgsg6353

I found an old notebook of mine, i wrote it down to look up this song. 7 years later i finally did ! :^)

@amandabeatriz3465

I just can't stop listening this song! Layla is perfect !

@leylaann8448

My mind is clear as a cloudless sky
No room for rust, no room for settled dust
A waning wild thrown to bygone days
No room for rust, no room for settled dust

I'm growing black mud up around my veins
And I'm going backwards, shutting out the name
But it's spiraling, spiraling into something bigger
I'm growing black mud up around my veins
And I'm going backwards, shutting out the name
But it's spiraling, spiraling into something bigger
Is there something bigger?
Is there something bigger?

Wide awake but I am sleeping
No room for rust, no room for settled dust
I'm lying naked, drunk and dreaming
No room for rust, no room for settled dust

I'm growing black mud up around my veins
And I'm going backwards, shutting out the name
But it's spiraling, spiraling into something bigger
I'm growing black mud up around my veins
And I'm going backwards, shutting out the name
But it's spiraling, spiraling into something bigger
Is there something bigger?
Is there something bigger?
Is there something bigger?
Is there something bigger?


Would it all, would it all, would it all work at all?
Would it all, would it all, would it all work at all?
Would it all, would it all, would it all work at all?
Would it all?

I'm growing black mud up around my veins
And I'm going backwards, shutting out the name
But it's spiraling, spiraling into something bigger
I'm growing black mud up around my veins
And I'm going backwards, shutting out the name
But it's spiraling, spiraling into something bigger
Is there something bigger?
Is there something bigger?
Is there something bigger?
Is there something bigger?
~
"As iron is eaten away by rust, so the envious are consumed by their own passion." - Antisthenes

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