“Cannibal” by Marcus Mumford

“Cannibal” is a song in which the listener is tasked with coming up with the premise, as in what exactly the addressee did to the vocalist to offend him so. But reading in between the lines, the general consensus would logically be that the lyrics speak to child abuse and more likely that of a sexual nature. Or put in simpler terms, Marcus comes off as if someone, a loved one even, committed such a crime against him in his youth. And it is that individual whom he is referring to as being “like a cannibal”.

So with that in mind there’s some pretty serious stuff being theoretically implied – so much so that it wouldn’t be appropriate for us to really delve into the plausible details. But thesis sentiment wise and as inferred by the aforenoted metaphor, what it all boils down to is the vocalist being unable to get over what the addressee did to him. And understandably, he’s also kept the trauma of it all bottled up throughout the years.

So when he did finally muster up the courage to actually admit that he’s the victim of such an ordeal, at the time the vocalist was under the impression that doing so would be cathartic. But to reiterate, even making such a bold move did not negate the associated feeling of defilement he is plagued with.

So as it currently stands, Marcus does not desire to have any ill will towards the addressee. But as it appears in the bridge, he has come to the conclusion that even if he does forgive this person, and said individual accepts the forgiveness, still the physical ramifications of the act will remain.

When did Marcus Mumford release “Cannibal”?

Mumford, through Capitol Records, made this song public on 14 July 2022. It is the lead single from Marcus Mumford’s debut studio album, a project literally titled “Self-Titled”. Even though this is Marcus’s first solo LP, he already has strong industry standing as the frontman of Mumford & Sons. Mumford & Sons is a famous act from the UK that has been around since the aughts and since then have sold millions of records. The act is arguably more successful stateside than they are across the pond.

Credits

“Cannibal” was written by Marcus Mumford. He composed the song during an episode in early 2021, where he ‘faced demons he danced with for a long time’. And Blake Mills, whom he identified as a buddy, produced the track.