Baby Blue

King Krule's 'Baby Blue' is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of unfulfilled love and the lingering sense of what could have been. The song's lyrics are steeped in a melancholic tone, with the artist's signature deep, gravelly voice adding an extra layer of emotional depth. The opening lines, 'My sandpaper sigh / Engraves a line / Into the rust of your tongue,' evoke a sense of weariness and regret, as if the speaker's emotions are so raw and abrasive that they leave a lasting mark. This imagery sets the stage for a narrative of missed opportunities and unspoken feelings.

The recurring mention of 'Baby blue' serves as a poignant metaphor for the idealized love that the speaker yearns for but cannot attain. The color blue often symbolizes sadness and longing, and in this context, it represents the unattainable dream of a perfect relationship. The lines 'Girl, I could've been someone / To you / Would have painted the skies blue' suggest a deep sense of regret and a wish to have been able to offer something beautiful and meaningful to the object of his affection. However, the repeated refrain 'If you knew / Baby blue' underscores the tragic reality that this potential was never realized.

As the song progresses, the sense of inevitability and resignation becomes more pronounced. The lines 'Edging closer / You swing my way / I've got no chance / And nothing to say' capture the helplessness and futility of the speaker's situation. Despite his desire to connect, he feels powerless and voiceless. The final lines, 'But if only / You could see / My shadow crossing your path / It won't be the last,' leave the listener with a lingering sense of unresolved tension and the haunting presence of unfulfilled love. King Krule masterfully uses poetic imagery and a somber tone to convey the deep emotional complexity of longing and regret.