Critics often remark on Blum's strength as a lyricist. They spent their early career promoting self-booked diy solo tours and supporting other solo artists such as Mike Doughty, Melissa Ferrick, Jenny Owen Youngs, Amanda Palmer, and Jeffrey Lewis.
In 2014, Mal Blum signed to Don Giovanni records and announced they would be working on a new album produced by Marissa Paternoster of the band Screaming Females. Before that point, they had never worked with a record label and fan-funded or self-funded recording costs. After the Don Giovanni release of "You Look a Lot Like Me" in 2016 Mal Blum began touring nationally as a three piece with a bassist and drummer, contributing to what critics called a "more developed but still gritty, punk" sound.
Mal Blum is a recurring musical and non-musical guest on The Chris Gethard Show and has had music featured on Logo TV's The Click List: Top 10 Videos and NewNowNext Music
Blum has contributed non-musical written work to Autostraddle, Huffington Post, and The Fader.
Blum attended State University of New York at Purchase.
Black Coffee
Mal Blum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wake up tangled in your arms
I do not mean to cause alarm
But I could never give you more
Than this 'cause this is all I got
Another fucked up caveat
I got so high that I forgot
That I'm no better than I seem
Some words I'll never try to say
How I loved you more and more each day
The way you sway your hips as you put
Your favorite records on but me
I even hate the way I breathe
I hate the grass I hate the trees
The way my hair blows in the breeze
Whatever isn't cruel to me
Double my meds and stay in bed
I can't feel anything again
My face, my arms, my common sense
I never should've let you in but
Now is now and then is then
Who could it really hurt again
Who could it hurt
Black coffee early in the morning
Wake up tangled up alone
I do not mean to cause alarm
In fact most days it's preferable
'Cause this is all that I have got
I'm trying not to fuck it up
I'm trying not to get stuck
The song "Black Coffee" by Mal Blum is a melancholic reflection of a failed relationship. The beginning of the song sets the tone for the entire piece with the line "Black coffee early in the morning," indicating a lonely and desolate atmosphere. The singer wakes up next to their partner, but instead of feeling a sense of warmth and safety, they feel tangled and restricted. They claim that they do not mean to cause alarm, indicating a sense of guilt or shame for their situation.
The singer then declares that they can never give their partner more than what they currently have. They have a "fucked up caveat" that they got so high that they forgot that they are no better than they seem. To add to their self-loathing behavior, they claim that there are words that they will never even try to say, indicating a lack of communication or unresolved feelings. The only description of their partner is through their physical attributes, such as the way they sway their hips and their taste in music.
Line by Line Meaning
Black coffee early in the morning
Starting a new day alone with just black coffee to keep you company.
Wake up tangled in your arms
Describing a moment when you felt close and intimate with someone.
I do not mean to cause alarm
Acknowledging that there might be something in your life that needs attention or action.
But I could never give you more
Acknowledging your limitations and unrealistic expectations.
Than this 'cause this is all I got
Accepting that you have limited resources and you cannot offer more than what you have.
Another fucked up caveat
Acknowledging that there is always something that complicates your life.
I got so high that I forgot
Admitting that you made a bad choice and were not in control of your actions.
That I'm no better than I seem
Realizing that you are not perfect and you have flaws like everyone else.
Some words I'll never try to say
Acknowledging that there are some things that you cannot express through words.
How I loved you more and more each day
Reflecting on a past relationship and realizing how much you cared for someone.
The way you sway your hips as you put
Remembering a specific moment that stands out in your memory.
Your favorite records on but me
Feeling inferior to the things that your partner is passionate about.
I even hate the way I breathe
Feeling self-conscious and unhappy with even the most basic aspects of yourself.
I hate the grass I hate the trees
Feeling overwhelmed and disenchanted with the world around you.
The way my hair blows in the breeze
Feeling out of control and unhappy with the way things are going in your life.
Whatever isn't cruel to me
Deciding that avoiding pain and rejection is the only thing that matters.
Double my meds and stay in bed
Acknowledging that you need help and relying on medication to get through the day.
I can't feel anything again
Feeling numb and disconnected from your emotions.
My face, my arms, my common sense
Feeling like everything about you is wrong and needs to be fixed.
I never should've let you in but
Admitting that you made a mistake and regretting letting someone into your life.
Now is now and then is then
Realizing that you cannot change the past and must focus on the present.
Who could it really hurt again
Questioning the emotional risks and benefits of getting involved in a new relationship.
Who could it hurt
Wondering if it is worth opening up to someone new and risking getting hurt.
Black coffee early in the morning
Repeating the opening line to bring the song full circle.
Wake up tangled up alone
Reflecting on the loneliness and emptiness that can come with starting a new day by yourself.
I do not mean to cause alarm
Repeating the line to emphasize the idea that something might be wrong.
In fact most days it's preferable
Acknowledging that being alone can be better than being in a bad relationship.
'Cause this is all that I have got
Accepting that you have limitations and must work with what you have.
I'm trying not to fuck it up
Striving to make the best of what you have and not make the same mistakes again.
I'm trying not to get stuck
Working to keep moving forward and not get caught up in the same patterns or habits.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Mal Blum
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@skyraynn9302
Black coffee early in the morning
Wake up tangled in your arms
I do not mean to cause alarm
But I could never give you more
Than this 'cause this is all I got
Another fucked up caveat
I got so high that I forgot
That I'm no better than I seem
[Verse 2]
Some words I'll never try to say
How I loved you more and more each day
The way you sway your hips as you put
Your favorite records on but me
I even hate the way I breathe
I hate the grass I hate the trees
The way my hair blows in the breeze
Whatever isn't cruel to me
[Chorus]
Double my meds and stay in bed
I can't feel anything again
My face, my arms, my common sense
I never should've let you in but
Now is now and then is then
Who could it really hurt again
Who could it hurt
[Verse 3]
Black coffee early in the morning
Wake up tangled up alone
I do not mean to cause alarm
In fact most days it's preferable
'Cause this is all that I have got
I'm trying not to fuck it up
I'm trying not to get stuck
@thesoymilk
Mal Blum once blocked me on Facebook but I still like the music
@ididntknowtheyhadwifiinhell
tell me more
@madelinemcpherson6313
skdkjdkf WHY
@kiraneryss
No hate but u probably deserved it haha
@rodyys
Feeling lucky to discover this amazing song.
@roman5209
I still got so much love for you Yve and never forgave myself for what happened. Hope you see this.
@berengazeloglu2914
Idek how this is not famous
@victorruth4502
I love all this new music its healing my soul
@skyraynn9302
Black coffee early in the morning
Wake up tangled in your arms
I do not mean to cause alarm
But I could never give you more
Than this 'cause this is all I got
Another fucked up caveat
I got so high that I forgot
That I'm no better than I seem
[Verse 2]
Some words I'll never try to say
How I loved you more and more each day
The way you sway your hips as you put
Your favorite records on but me
I even hate the way I breathe
I hate the grass I hate the trees
The way my hair blows in the breeze
Whatever isn't cruel to me
[Chorus]
Double my meds and stay in bed
I can't feel anything again
My face, my arms, my common sense
I never should've let you in but
Now is now and then is then
Who could it really hurt again
Who could it hurt
[Verse 3]
Black coffee early in the morning
Wake up tangled up alone
I do not mean to cause alarm
In fact most days it's preferable
'Cause this is all that I have got
I'm trying not to fuck it up
I'm trying not to get stuck
@ninjamantis8309
I fucking love this song, mal has such a similar voice as a friend of mine it's actually kinda crazy