Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: garage
Song Meaning of “Black Mold” by The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
“Black Mold” by The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion delves into the idea of building a wall to protect oneself from the outside world. The chorus, “You can’t keep me out, so I built a wall of black mold,” speaks to how the narrator is attempting to distance himself from the outside world by enclosing himself in a metaphorical cocoon.
Through the song the narrator laments about how psychological walls often do more harm than good, and him becoming insular does not lead to his desired end. The verse, “But I’m not safe and sound/I just closed my eyes and I can’t look around,” speaks to the idea of being trapped by one’s own decisions and realizing that it has not made them any more secure.
The song speaks to the idea that while building walls of black mold to protect oneself in the face of hurt or uncertainty may give a feeling of security there is often a greater underlying loneliness that the wall will not cure. While it is necessary to create boundaries that protect oneself, ultimately it is only by trusting in ourselves and those around us that real security can be achieved.