In Sombr’s disco hit, “12 To 12”, the singer born Shane Boose offers a dark banger about unrequited love. The track echoes the hazy psychedelia of Tame Impala. It’s propelled not only by a four-on-the-floor groove but also by Sombr’s hooky falsetto and gloomy heartbreak.
Lonerism
The first verse opens with a smitten Sombr, though the girl’s feelings are not mutual. Then he spots her dancing with another man and assumes she has cruel intentions.
I don’t want anyone else,
From the hours of 12 to 12.
I am not the least compelled,
By anyone but yourself.
Look at me, it makes me melt,
I know you wanna see me in hell, my love.
I’m dealing with the cards I’ve dealt,
While you’re dancing with somebody else.
Still, our hero is falling hard, and he becomes paranoid that she was up to some kind of devious plan from the start.
Was it always in your plan to leave eventually?
Because to me, there’s no one else that could make sense to me.
The last and final puzzle piece.
Next, he searches every room, looking for the girl. He wonders if she feels the same way. But he likely already knows the answer. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be asking whether she’d choose to avoid him. It appears Sombr, perhaps fated by his stage name, is ruthlessly destined for melancholy.
In a room full of people, I look for you.
Would you avoid me, or would you look for me too?
Tell me, is our story through?
Or do our hearts still beat in tune?
French Rejection
In the second verse, Sombr mentions meeting the girl at The Paris Café in New York. And her reaction to meeting him doesn’t match his eagerness. He speaks in French, which translates to “How come…” or “How is it that…” The rejection leaves Sombr wishing he’d never looked her way.
We met in The Paris Café,
I said, “Can I sit with you? Comment ça se fait?”
My mistake.
If I’d known it would have been this way,
I’d never looked at you, looked in the first place.
Photo by Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images