Storm Coming

“Storm Coming” uses predominantly meteorological metaphors to describe a nascent musical/artistic/social movement that Gnarls sees himself as being a non-integral part of (It could also be interpreted as an explanation and forewarning of his behavior in intimate relationships, however that’s less interesting). “I could paint a picture with a pen/ But a song will only scratch the skin/And there are still places I haven’t been/Because I know what’s in there is already on the way” Despite Gnarls’ formidable eloquence and powers of expression, he is unable to give full-voice to the depths and diversity of the developing musical revolution/revitalization he presages alone. [I propose “revitalization” because in “Necromancer” he states, with I assume double meaning, “the production is progressive, but the reason is retro”.]
“There’s truth in the thunder/ Love in the lightning/The feeling is frightening/And isn’t it exciting?/I’m something like stormy weather/If I weren’t we’d never/Huddle together” Truth and love are the inspiration and drive of a tempestuously passionate philosophy of musical expression that does and will continue to unite its practitioners and partisans. “Do I have to tell you/That I’m also the sunlight/That shines shortly after/I just rain cause I have to/On to a another chapter” Sunlight is an ambiguous metaphor, however in this context my best guess is that Gnarls is saying he is capable of a more placid sound; however, to move "On to another chapter” Gnarls must iconoclastically shakeup the old modes of expression and inspire others to join him. As he will proclaim in a few lines, “seals will be broken open”. “I wish you lots of laughter/Till the next time you see me/Just remember you need me/ I’m the storm coming” These lines I deem as fitting more strongly with the “relationship interpretation” parenthetically described above (particularly the “just remember you need me” line), though certainly it is also a send off to his fans that eagerly await his next release. “Run towards the hills to avoid the high flood/I can do a dance that will make the sky cry blood/Skills provoking/Seals will be broken open/All that’s left to do is try my love” These lines are a further reinforcement of Gnarl’s notion that he is using his artistic talents to inspire an immense progressive (“seals will be broken open”) musical movement based on truth and love as well as a petition to his listeners to be open to it. “I’m singing the cyclone/I’m writing the raging sea/Searching for the sign of the times/Is it safe to say it’s me? (posted lyrics are wrong)/Listen to our lives/The wind will whisper the way it is/I’m going to happen what a lovely day it is” Here Gnarl’s describes his clear discernment of the zeitgeist, or the flavor of the times. He insists that if we are alert we too will feel the cultural pulse and conclude his coming ascendancy is both inevitable and beautiful. This also applies to the musical movement independent of him as he himself maintains it is “comin no matter what I say”.
“Don’t ask why, just live, and, die” The attitude reflected in this conclusion is perhaps an almost fatalistic generalization of the themes of inevitability he establishes above along with an insistence that we live with a full awareness of our mortality and vitality; an old bromide given new urgency with Gnarl’s poignantly a-melodic pronunciation of “die”. I only wish I could experience his vision rather than my own: continued musical drudgery with a few lotus flowers sporadically blooming from the swamp.

Whoah, were you doing some English Lit analysing practise there? Huuuuge comment.

Grand song, grand album. I'd like to think that the weather metaphors are describing the emotion's of the singer and the way that they can't be stopped.

Bye!

But Gnarls Barkley isn't a person. It's two people. Just so you know.

You know, Cee-lo and Danger Mouse.

"Gnarls Barkley is a mask hiding two people..."

It's just easier to refer to the group as if they were one.

superted guessed my intention--to refer to the character that refers to himself singularly as "I" in the song--though admittedly it's a bit funny. Sorry if this is just a comment forum, I'm new and just assumed by the site name we were trying to get at as much meaning as possible in as clear and comprehensive a manner as possible. I'm sure we didn't exhaust the interpretations, anyone else out there care to comment on the song? I'd say superted's comment is a safe bet.

This song is about God and the end times. Some of it is God speaking in the first person (I'm the storn coming) (all that's left to do is try my love) etc.

'seals will be broken' is a reference to the seven seals opened in the book of Revelation which hearald in God's judgments on the world.

Yeah, this song is has a lot revalation-ish imagery. "Truth" in the thunder, "love" in the lightning...are examples of God being manifested in everything. "sign of the times" "try my love", and "just live and die" are just saying love is the way.

MOST AMAZING LINE. "I can do a dance that will make the sky cry blood." UGH,THIS SONG GIVES ME CHILLS.

I agree. Best song on the album in my opinion. Amazing lyrics. "Run towards the hills to avoid the high flood I can do a dance that will make the sky cry blood. Skills provoking Seals will be broken open All that's left to do is try my love."

ahughguguhhhh! SO good. I just sharted.

i think that its metaphorically about the same things that Superted and Nehebert mentioned, and the scriptural references are just a medium to express it in a non-literal manner. Sort of ties it in with a "theme" which would also match the tempo and overall mood of the song. Probably also drawing heavily from his gospel influences (Cee-Lo's)

anyways, epic song. Luv it.