Trouble's Coming
Royal Blood
The Unrelenting Echo of Inner Turmoil in 'Trouble's Coming' by Royal Blood
Royal Blood's 'Trouble's Coming' is a powerful exploration of inner conflict and the inevitability of facing one's demons. The song opens with vivid imagery of self-destruction, as the narrator describes giving his knuckles 'a run for their money' and seeing 'spider web, cracks on the mirror.' This sets the tone for a narrative steeped in self-reflection and the struggle to maintain control over one's darker impulses. The repeated line 'If I could then I would' underscores a sense of helplessness and the desire to change but being unable to do so.
The chorus, with its haunting repetition of 'I hear trouble coming,' serves as a forewarning of the inevitable confrontation with these inner demons. The voice in the narrator's head is relentless, echoing the sentiment that trouble is always on the horizon, even if its exact timing is unknown. This creates a sense of impending doom and anxiety, as the narrator is trapped in a cycle of anticipation and dread. The line 'Can't fill these holes that I'm digging' further emphasizes the futility of trying to escape or fix the situation, highlighting the depth of the internal struggle.
In the latter part of the song, the narrator acknowledges signs of psychosis in his reflection, indicating a deeper mental health struggle. The inability to keep these issues 'under the surface' suggests that they are becoming increasingly unmanageable. The song concludes with a poignant realization that time is running out, and the narrator is left wishing he could start over and be someone better. This final admission adds a layer of vulnerability and resignation, making 'Trouble's Coming' a raw and honest portrayal of battling one's inner demons and the relentless nature of mental turmoil.