My cold, cold sailor heart says, "Get on your way."
I ain't too proud to say it but that's how I'm made
I'll be that person 'till my dying day
I try so awful hard but I can't change

From runways to the road I ramble alone
This thumbnail sized heart is black as coal
Though beauty it still bring me to my knee
Don't waste a tear on me this my disease

Don't leave no smell on me
Don't leave no smell on me
I've run off in your sleep
Don't leave no smell on me

Those preppy boys in blue they're making fun of us
So we take it to the street 'cause we're an ornery cuss
But we're not here to make your children bleed
We're here to come around with the tumbleweed

Don't leave no smell on me
Don't leave no smell on me
I've run up in your sleeve
Don't leave no smell on me

Now guitar, go get her

Don't take these boots off me when you thinking I'm dead
I'll still be running from the demon in my head
I'll be that person 'till my dying day
I try so awful hard but I can't change

Don't leave no smell on me
Don't leave no smell on me
I know I'm up your sleeve
Don't leave no smell on me

Don't leave no, no smell


Lyrics submitted by Razorlight16

Black Thumbnail Lyrics as written by Jared Followill Caleb Followill

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Black Thumbnail song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

18 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +4
    General Comment

    In a rolling stone article on kings of leon it says: 'black thumbnail was inspired by one of their cousins who had done a bit of time for various offences they don't want to detail. He was once asked if he thought his ex-wife had a heart. He replied "yeah, it's about the size of my thumbnail and black as coal'

    geri22on April 01, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Trials and tribulations of touring; only a band with such touring experience like KOL could write a song like this

    joshuakinon March 13, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Favourite off the new album - I love how he doesn't pronounce clearly his lyrics (which is why I'm here) - he gives off an ambigous sound (I thought he said, "I leave on Sunday")

    Anyway - great stuff from the great KOL

    bkat004on March 27, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    In a rolling stone article on kings of leon it says: 'black thumbnail was inspired by one of their cousins who had done a bit of time for various offences they don't want to detail. He was once asked if he thought his ex-wife had a heart. He replied "yeah, it's about the size of my thumbnail and black as coal'

    geri22on April 01, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    He says Dont Leave no Smell on me Dont Leave no Smell on me I'll burn off in your sleep Dont Leave no Smell on me according to the lyrics book. one of my faves on the new album

    Persuasionon April 04, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Personally, I think he says "Now, guitar, go guitar" not "Now get her, go get her". But that's just based on the assumption that some people pronounce guitar GIT-tar and that Matthew plays a solo after he says it.

    mcfuggon April 27, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    It's about Caleb, and the fact that whenever he gets close to a girl, he feels himself pull away, in part due to the fact that growing up they never got close to people outside the family as they were always upping sticks and moving. its kind of the frustration he feels that he goes cold on relationships before they've even begun. but thats just 'how i'm made'.

    dirtyegoon July 17, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Wow I thought he said "Don't leave me lonely"... still great song though

    QueenOfLeonon September 22, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Yes i agree geri22 about the rolling stone article, but for me this song is about Bi-Polar disorder, which ( i think if im right) is calebs , learn a lil about bipolar and re-listen to the record this verse = From runways to the road I ramble alone This thumbnail size of heart is black as coal Though beauty it still brings me to my knees Don't waste a tear on me it's my disease

    and this verse Don't take these boots off me when you think that I'm dead I'll still be running from the demon in my head I'll be that person till my dying day I try so awful hard but I can't change

    maybe im biased a i have bipolar and this is what the songs seems a feels like to me

    grizzlydandanson February 14, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    if it is about bi polar, then the music fits well with the concept

    light_bulb101on June 08, 2008   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
No Surprises
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example: "'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Album art
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.