Jacob Collier "Little Blue" Official Lyrics & Meaning | Genius Verified

Jacob Collier stopped by the Genius office to discuss his hit song “Little Blue.” The song features Brandi Carlile and is off the fourth installment of his Djesse album. The multi-talented artist goes into detail about the creation of “Little Blue” and the music theory behind the popular song. On today’s episode of Verified, the London native also shares what he hopes people take from his music.
“Some of my favorite songs in the whole wide world are about many things at once," he tells Genius. "There is not one way to take the lyrics and I think for me that’s always something I aspire to as a lyricist.”
00:00 Mom's Little Blue Creatures
00:22 The Beauty of Open-Ended Songs
00:45 Verse 1 Performance
01:05 Be The Boat & The River
01:23 Verse 1 Performance Continued
01:43 The Eyes
02:09 Pre-Chorus Performance
02:22 You'll Never Walk Alone
02:39 Chorus Performance
03:03 The Dark In Your Heart
03:28 Verse 2 Performance
04:12 Find A Way Home
04:38 Pre-Chorus 2 Performance
04:51 E Flat Major
05:45 Chorus 2 Performance
06:31 Find Your Way Home
06:45 Jacob Collier On Brandi Carlile
Read more on Genius: genius.com/a/jacob-collier-br...
Read all the lyrics to "Little Blue" on Genius: genius.com/Jacob-collier-and-...
Watch the Official Music Video for "Little Blue": • Jacob Collier - Little...
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#JacobCollier #LittleBlue #Verified

[@jacobcollier]

Thank you so much for having me, you wonderful people!!!

[@sakushey]

first person to sing the bassline on genius lyrics :)

[@evhblogspot]

Brilliants song. I love listening to it with my kids.

[@ChrisBreezerton]

Such a beautiful touching song and energetic experience. Immediate tears upon first listen of the Mahogony session. Ty 🦋💜✨️

[@jobonvibes]

I talk about you everywhere & each time I introduce people to your music, they always come back to say thanks. Thanks for always making us proud.

[@samrusoff]

Love your work and your spirit Jacob.

[@H3BTQ]

When the name Genius is actually warranted

[@evala13]

Word

[@futur_sunds]

lol true

[@superduperjoi6800]

Finaly

[@Ryu0526]

jacob is the epitome of genius even though he says he isn’t one

[@futur_sunds]

@@Ryu0526 every genius says they’re not s genius. That’s how you can tell they are a genius lol

[@anaisgragueb]

"The only dark I'm afraid of is the dark in my heart" - ✨

[@genius]

What a great line from the episode. Thanks for watching!

[@nicholasfleming6511]

I thought this line was very fascinating! I used to be very afraid of the 'dark' in my heart, but over time I have come to see that it is trying, in its own sometimes twisted way, to protect me. Once I realize what it's trying to protect me from and why and how, I don't feel as afraid anymore, in fact I tend to feel compassion for that part of myself and the 'dark' becomes like a child that is in pain that I can comfort. It's like, it doesn't even want do be the dark, it just is a being that doesn't fully understand the world but has been or has felt me be wounded and doesn't want it to happen again.

[@woodseowl]

@@nicholasfleming6511 I really get that. Sounds like the journey that IFS therapy takes you on. Something in Little Blue feels so reassuring and healing both lyrically and musically.

[@dude8663]

This mans vocal range is incredible, he can sing the strings the bass with what seems to be such ease, and then go back in that upper register

[@stevegoody993]

Isn't it?! Reminded me a lot of Bobby McFerrin's a cappella performances, you should look those up if you haven't already, they're fantastic!

[@zoetak]

it's his arrangements that make that range shine, it's not actually that incredible or rare tbh that being said - he's such a wonderful artist as a full package imo

[@genius]

04:57 Don't argue with Jacob in the comments about this, okay? 👍

[@kalyanoliveira3224]

I wont, I agree!

[@JusticeConstantine]

How about the key of E 1/2 Flat ?

[@ShaneOBrienTrumpet]

I personally think Db major is the best key

[@carryingautoclicks7501]

​@@ShaneOBrienTrumpetyou are very wrong, jacob barely ever sings in this key

[@ShaneOBrienTrumpet]

@@carryingautoclicks7501 he uses Db every now and then. Sleeping on my dreams, second half of Time Alone with You and All I Need to think of a few. But now that I think of it most of his songs are in Eb or Ab lol

[@alexdundas-taylor3420]

For years people have had this reaction to Collier like he’s an alien, and said as much to his face in interviews. They can’t imagine how his mind produces the music. Between videos like this and his long Logic sessions on IG, he is in fact one of the most transparent composers there is.

[@user-gj8di2os9h]

if you study harmony and theory pretty well, he isn't doing anything very special. He's very smart and quick thinking but he isn't that special.

[@Chris-px2gf]

This comment shows me you don't study harmony or theory pretty well lol. When it comes to Little Blue, harmonically indeed you can define it as smarter rather than special. But when you go and listen to Flintstones, Moon River or recently his cover of Bridge Over Troubled Water, his mind harmonically is on a different level than 99% of people. Jacob is very special and there isn't anything wrong in admitting that, we should enjoy that he is creating in our time.@@user-gj8di2os9h

[@premprakashkretzschmar6482]

Imagine; If we didn't have to "undo" so much 3D mental programming, we would be expressing our unique giftings, like Jacob💝 Big Gracias to his Mom for creating an environment that allowed such exploring to BE❣️

[@yellostallion]

Jacob's perception and stillness are both pure. Even at a young age.

[@DrMontgomeryMontgomery]

@@user-gj8di2os9h - It's genuinely amazing to see someone so overwhelmingly undersell someone who is so clearly doing something special.

[@PiercingSight]

"We think of ourselves as cameras, but we're just projectors. And so if you see the dark, then you are the dark."

[@genius]

Love the idea of us as projectors.

[@SkinsFirstGeneration]

Jacob's hair's like ⬆↗🔀↘⬇⬅↖🔁🔂↪⤴⤵🔃🔄

[@arielbooner8259]

and so is his voice

[@johnzhou4877]

And so is his key center

[@orginy7156]

And so our soul

[@TheodorNickelsen]

And so is your pp

[@trenchcoatsandtea]

I laughed out loud 😂😂

[@nomannic1]

Got a huge grin on my face when i saw this in my feed! Jacob is such a warm and genuine person!!

[@genius]

true

[@ohmypoo123]

I’ve been singing this to my 10 month old at night ever since it was released

[@benhecht5]

Me too 🥰

[@barbarafuchs7561]

So do I to my granddaughter - she always calms down and listens carefully...

[@genius]

Perfect song for that! Hope the little one is doing well!

[@basementboy1910]

Im gonna see jacob live in november, i can already tell im gonna cry my eyes out when he plays this one

[@gubblfisch350]

Same I'll also see him in November :)

[@martijnvanbladeren4953]

Same here: concert in November and expecting the tears

[@christianeadolph5533]

Me too. So happy about it

[@catherineono3387]

April in Boston.

[@superduperjoi6800]

Yess hes coming to charlotte may 3

[@sarahpinkall2924]

Jacob, I'm 68 yo, and have loved music and singing since childhood. You have gifted the world with your brilliance. Your light. I recently saw you in CharlotteNC, and my face hurt from smiling and crying afterward. You are a true joyful genius! A blessing from God. Thank you!!

[@kreeperkiller4423]

What’s really facinating to me is that you can tell which version of Little Blue he’s thinking about just from his pitch tendancies. At the start, you can tell he’s using his Mahogany Session’s version from him just a hair sharper than what Eb in A=440Hz would sound, eventually almost getting to E natural at 3:00 in the video. However, you can see him go right to the album version of Little Blue at 4:39, sinking back down to the warmth of a much lower Eb. 3:00 va 4:39 for comparison

[@vesph7067]

Killer ears man! I was thinking the same thing, like the beginning was so similar to the mahogany session but somewhere along the way it seemed slightly off (not in a bad way) Just couldn’t really lay it out I guess

[@odec1831]

3:50 supports that too because he does something similar to the Mahogany Session belts before getting back to the albums modulation that you mentioned!

[@NekoHanyouHanaru]

“You’re never truly alone as long as you have loved” Jacob I’m at work!! Stop making me cry

[@genius]

a favorite line from this one

[@newdecada]

watching videos with jacob has been my free therapy for 6 years now

[@bluedabadeee]

we got a jacob collier genius video 🙏 the world is healing

[@user-rk4oc3kx8c]

oh jacob - pure soul, pure mind, a loving heart

[@mae__]

Genuis.. literally! Not in an unattainable way, but rather so pure, sincere and human🥹

[@TheSidBatra]

such a beautiful and grounding comment, agradecido por haberlo leido

[@nope5994]

you watched the interview

[@mae__]

@@nope5994 i have👌🏾💯

[@genius]

well put.

[@diananunez7]

Tears are flowing down my cheeks as he explains this song.....so brilliant, so innocent! He literally is Nature Boy..."There was a boy, a very strange, enchanted boy.....they say he wandered very far, very far over land and sea...." ❤️

[@nick-nt6lm]

See what you did there ;)

[@ErnieZee]

Jacob said in his interview with Colin and Samir that calling someone a genius is basically giving up trying to understand this person and I feel like that description fits him really well from my perspective. I have enormous admiration for Jacobs work but I just can't kid myself. I will never be able to fully understand his mind.

[@sheilamerritt8654]

I also listened to that interview and what Jacob was saying is it’s not about understanding him it’s about understanding yourself

[@TheoWentHome]

@@sheilamerritt8654love that

[@gangsterleo1]

So as he said, if you are a projector then you are only seeing yourself in him and will never be able to figure out your own mind 😊

[@corneliameiler6099]

“you’re never truly alone, as long as you have ever loved”

[@maxencefagard9479]

His mind is impressive, he always amazes me, it’s deeply attractive on an emotional and physical level, impossible not to feel drawn by his words and his music. He can do whatever he wants to.

[@mshurt100]

He’s seems so beyond my realm yet he speaks for me in so many simple ways.

[@karyllespiritu]

3:50 on repeat

[@andrewcre8s]

Of course Jacob would sing the Genius intro bassline lol

[@yungjru7593]

wow i didn’t notice lol that’s crazy

[@TheMusicCrack]

Just him playing the intro on all the air instruments makes me smile a whole lot! what a blessing to share a timeline with this human being!

[@missbornlucky6676]

Little Blue is such a beautiful song, and the accompanying music video too. Jacob's voice is so soothing.

[@gobluechung]

The boat and river... I've never heard something so simple that helps me in my mindfulness practice. Such wisdom so young... I'm taking my wife on her 40th birthday to see you in Austin in a couple of weeks. Can't wait!

[@shania502]

Jacob is honestly one of the best musicians in the world right now. He is a true Genius!

[@genius]

a genius on genius

[@5ammy13]

When any other singer songs their songs, they just sing the lyrics. But Jacob has to add the bass line too because he thinks musically. It clearly shows how thinks of music and how he goes about songwriting. Unlike many artists in our age, Jacob writes his songs completely. He writes everything, the lyrics, the music, the instrumentation, arranging.. Everything. Really special..

[@TheHadMatters]

I've just been absolutely bawling my eyes out, "crying snot and water" as we say in German, after listening to the Mahogany version (recorded in a cathedral with a choir of angels supporting the choruses) of this song for the third time in this listening session. I've heard it several times before, but today it just caught me unexpectedly deeply. I just had a conversation with my girlfriend, about feeling like you're losing something when you're trying to let go of past bad habits and personality traits; And even if you manage to motivate yourself to push through that resistance, how difficult it can be to decide how much room it's okay to give yourself for fallbacks when you're out of energy, and when you have to pick yourself up and start to embrace the new and improved self, and learn to enjoy it, so you can grow past your old perception of yourself. I felt so seen by this song with the way it frames the old self as this place that's simultaneously comforting and simply feels right and easy, but at the same time it's flawed and childish and in need of guidance by your wiser, more mature self. "In your eyes, so dark and open, there's a light that leads me back to you." Little Blue knows what you need more directly than your conscious self, understands much better when you're about to be overwhelmed and bring back up old trauma you've inflicted on yourself, and retreats early. Sometimes it retreats so relentlessly - physically and emotionally - it causes more harm by not showing up than you'd actually experience by facing the problems head-on. But Little Blue is looking out for yourself too well and won't let you repeat past carelessness that led you to push yourself past your limits. But not just the self-soothing is what's pulling you in to Little Blue's comfort. You even get accustomed and comfortable with the self-hatred. The giving up. Telling yourself you'll end it here, and quit the cycle of having to try again for good. And to a certain degree, up to a certain level of self-compassion, embracing those needs is probably good. Helps you reconnect with yourself and your weaknesses; not try to keep pushing onwards so much. And then half-way through the song, the chorus switches from "don't be afraid of the dark" to "don't be afraid of the light," because we're not just afraid of our vices and failures holding us back, we're equally afraid of fully outgrowing these coping and self-defence mechanisms, because cradling ourselves in them becomes such a big part of your personality, you don't know what your life would even consist of that's warm and comforting, if you didn't have failures and vices to defend yourself from anymore. Embracing Little Blue as your anchor in the wide, unknown ocean, while simultaneously protecting it and guiding it gently to me is the perfect metaphor for the "inner child"-based therapy or self-improvement sentiment. Then of course there's everything your inner child is connected to. Visions of your first love and how you put her whole being on a pedestal. Watching young children grow up and discover the world, and being surprised when they start to have wisdom to offer to you. Everything that's innocent and worthy of protecting while somehow also so much more pure and strong than you can see yourself being. And obviously the most beautiful part of it all. "You're gonna find your way" (to carry the weight of the world.) There's so much darkness you can go through and have to look back at. Hopelessness when you're completely stuck while everyone else seems to be handling things decently enough, failure to change things for yourself and wondering why you should keep trying in face of the evidence. Lashing out at others and feeling like you don't deserve another try after you've already made your suffering other people's problems beyond what you deserve. And so obviously it's the weight of the world. Because if you only fix yourself, you haven't repaid the world for the acceptance and mercy it has afforded you when you made mistakes, so in order to meaningfully change at all, you feel obligated to fix everything around you, too. But your decisions and experiences have brought you where you are now. Different decisions and experiences in the future will lead you to different destinations, as long as you keep going. Wherever you keep heading, it is inevitably going to be your way that you'll have found at the end. If you manage to show the world that you can gently guide yourself forward, perhaps that's already plenty for leading by example. And if not, well, you'll still need to move yourself forward in order to get things done and support others around you. I highly recommend blasting this song at full volume from high-quality headphones.

[@TheoWentHome]

This is such a lovely comment!

[@SeaV1e]

I think Jacob is one of the few real musicians in modern pop music

[@L4K4E4E]

true

[@BiggyJimbo]

What is a real musician?

[@L4K4E4E]

@@BiggyJimbojuice wrld 2pac

[@L4K4E4E]

@@BiggyJimboin my opinion

[@charlyroussel]

have to disagree. modern pop is packed with some amazing musicians. Jacob is one of the few jazz cats who writes pop songs. thats all.

[@lanadragonfly]

One of the things i love about Jacob's writing here is the ambiguity of the enjambment between lines. Is it "Don't be afraid of the dark in your heart. / You're gonna find your way home" or is it "Don't be afraid of the dark. / In your heart, you're gonna find your way home." The answer is yes, both. Both are right. Both are true. Your heart is both dark and mysterious and scary, and also the way home.

[@karyllespiritu]

Ugh good god that voice ✨️

[@robynmills3934]

So many stories, story in the lyric, story in the instruments, story in the melody and harmony. Multi faceted jems ⭐️

[@NoMoWarplz]

Listening to the song brought tears, and here again. Godsend to the world at this time.

[@tyronesampson2654]

Jacob is so much talent with just his voice alone.

[@journees4300]

Jacob is so pure and honest with his art and music. Listen to him talks and sings brings me peace and joy.

[@superduperjoi6800]

His voice is heaven

[@jobonvibes]

A genius on genius ❤

[@liasophia9015]

How I love you and admire you, JC! 🫂💫💙

[@wynnraleighsimmons]

GO JACOB

[@neilmarsh7437]

It’s a real pleasure to hear this song acapella - as well as the lyrical insights

[@bler1890]

I find this song so touching. You’ve tapped into something deep and the light shines through. Thank you for sharing your light.

[@juwiltgen]

Jacob uses this home metaphor quite a lot in his lyrics, and I always thought it had something to do with resolving his crazy harmonies, even thoses that are sometimes a bit disturbing 😂

[@Gimrison]

@jacobcollier Thank you for what you bring to the world. I’m 51 kind of “old” man. I do not cry very often, but this song does it to me nearly every time. Even when you sing it like here on this video. Thank you so much!

[@champloo9]

Best genius interview by far.

[@ocmedia83]

Listening to this Masterpiece in Loop forever. Thanks for this beautiful Gem

[@Liselotteyes]

Love your light Jacob

[@JavierHuerta]

One of the most incredibly talented people I've seen live. I was stunned to see him play.

[@campbell_soup517]

Love this man. Cannot wait to see him in concert this May.

[@PipeSound.]

This is the type of artist that makes me watch this channel

[@shaky33]

This was DELIGHTFUL! Spread love.

[@jwream]

gonna see jacob in april at the met. can't wait!

[@gtzenev]

Jacob is a pure genius. And the song is amazing. Thanks for this wonderful video!

[@csx42]

love seeing genius host a genius

[@roberotful]

I love hearing Jacob Collier talk about music, it feels like he's expressing this viewpoint that all the technical skill and talent he has are tools to be used for storytelling and he does it so masterfully. It also makes me think really positively of the people who don't have his level of talent or understanding, kids in their bedrooms writing songs that tap into these musical concepts that they may not even understand consciously but they feel it innately. He just makes me reflect on music differently and that's very cool. What a great song and interview.

[@MrBrettley]

This song is extraordinary. Lyrics and music both. For people struggling with grief, it's incredibly healing.

[@siobhanjohnson8088]

Been a big fan for a lot of years and love the words in this song.. such meaning ❤

[@cali7xx]

A superior being in EVERY sense.This musical wonder caries u through his lyrics in a spiritual beautiful eloquence rarely seen in music (or anywhere really) ♥👏🏻♥

[@yvonnemason9137]

This is absolutely my favourite Jacob Collier song, and one I find really comforting and uplifting. Thanks so much, Jacob, for opening up this beautiful song for us! :D

[@lani9584]

jacob collier is the most beautiful man I have ever laid my eyes upon.

[@sarahjndonovan]

He’s such a beautiful human, inside and out. ❤

[@juliapalma826]

So so beautiful 💙

[@deejayjarrett]

It’s been a while since I heard a song as close to perfection as Little Blue. Especially the guitar solo in the end. Thank you Jacob!

[@premprakashkretzschmar6482]

Gracias for sharing this. This song is one of my all time favs for some of the explanations you shared, that my life has been about exploring: "Don't be afraid of the dark, in your heart". 50+ years exploring because life was just toooooo painful. For me, the dark is where I covered what was not safe to express at the time. The "Universe" is so gracious, it built in a "save" mode until ready to accept, feel, allow the energy- motions to move. What is always underneath ? ME, the genius divine being I am/We are. So GRACIAS Jacob Collier & your Mom for being Here Now💝🎶🙏🏽🎶💝

[@odec1831]

I spent like 2 hours theorizing over and meditating on this song over the last few days! So glad to get some more context for such a cool song and experience!

[@peteraberg3528]

My favourite song from last year!

[@SchoolofRockNRoll]

the only guest that made me replay the intro music

[@beulahbigelow]

I’m going to his concert in Los Angelos in May. I’m so excited to go because he has been such an inspiration to me as a musician and as a producer :)

[@oscardoestbn]

Eb major is such a valid key

[@inc0de]

I don't think it was possible that Jacob and Jeff Buckley could exist in the same timeline without breaking the universe's algorithm.

[@julisowiedermonat3560]

i love him so much omg

[@rustemsadvakassov1787]

you're such a wonderful human being! and drop dead gorgeous. and your voice is mesmerising af!

[@ChristopherWoods]

This is the self-reflective, many faceted, excellent JC content we didn't deserve but gratefully appreciate 😎 wonderful stuff.

[@guymichelasseke8103]

Go up Jacob 🔥

[@egaga-]

To me this song is perfection, beyond words or analysis, very touching and elevating, especially the Mahogany sessions version. Keep exploring the human heart, Jacob.

[@metamonada]

GENIUS STARTING WITH THE INTRO

[@PhoenixRose-ch9xg]

We love you Jacob 🎉❤

[@steffengastineau303]

This man is The Master of Harmony, and a true virtuoso.

[@BedrahOnYt]

WE NEEDED THIIS

[@AnaHeloysaP]

Beautiful ❤

[@danieldobbins4639]

Jacob is so right!!!! Eb reigns supreme

[@fionakielyk]

Love this man.

[@jakelotd4786]

I love this so much! All smiles, as I sit here sick as a dog!

[@michaelcohen9192]

Thank you Jacob! This song has a very profound spiritual meaning for me, intended by You or not. What You refer to as the little blue has nothing else than the characteristics of the all encompassing and all loving divine. An interesting fact is, that sometimes in meditation, when I focus on the higher self, it also appears as a little blue light, which is also described in the same way in the book 'Conversations with God'...

[@jenniferspring8741]

Wow what a great interview! How fun to sing along with Jacob (until he jumps an octave… and it’s so amazing I drop back into audience mode). What a deep song, also such a beautiful melody, I don’t mind having it stuck in my head🙂

[@stfukai1]

most calm fit hes been seen in

[@gavril3698]

This is one of the best song I've heard

[@tuitabi]

ily sm

[@annikakolb6667]

"we think of ourselves as cameras but we're projectors" what a switch of perspective (literally)

[@user-bd7lv1yi9x]

He is a great singer and an amazing composer. What a genius!!

[@maelnerys]

Great lyrics ❤

[@joaquincancino]

this man is amazing

[@user-dt1rp5yh2t]

REALLY GENIUS

[@gui_alleoni]

bisides all.. he sound ike an angel... a bass angel... for sure

[@stefanobaraibar]

at first I thought that Joni Mitchell’s Little Green maybe influenced this song. Especially with Brandi being a feature and them both being friends with Joni

[@robertberman6692]

Thank you! I kept waiting for someone to mention Little Green, which is about the baby Joni gave up for adoption.

[@MehulShaRma]

Manifesting to make a song with Jacob as well as be at Genius!!

[@TheoWentHome]

TALENT AND BRILLIANT

[@nielvandercolff6135]

In my opinion, Jacob is like a Beethoven equivalent of modern times. He is truly an artist.

[@polymath9666]

he reminds me of Leonardo Da Vinci