The Ocean Doesn't Want Me
Tom Waits Lyrics
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The ocean doesn't want me today
But I'll be back tomorrow to play
And the strangles will take me
Down deep in their brine
The mischievous brain jewels
Down into the endless blue wine
I'll open my head and let out all of my time
I'd love to go drowning
And to stay and to stay
But the ocean doesn't want me today
I'll go in up to here
It can't possibly hurt
All they will find is my beer and my shirt
A rip tide is ragin'
And the life guard's away
But the ocean doesn't want me today
But the ocean doesn't want me today
The ocean doesn't want me today
Tom Waits's song The Ocean has a dark and somewhat morbidly humorous tone to it that is uniquely his. The song appears to be exploring the theme of suicide or drowning in the ocean. The lyrics suggest that the singer has tried to drown himself before and is contemplating doing so again. He appears to be taunting the ocean, as if it has rejected him before, but he will be back to play again tomorrow. The mischievous “brain jewels” are perhaps a metaphor for his thoughts, which he is willing to let go of as he sinks deep into the “endless blue wine” of the ocean.
When the singer does go under, he seems to want to stay there, but the ocean doesn't want him today. The use of the word “today” implies that there may be a tomorrow in which the ocean will want him. The song ends with a somewhat humorous line about how he will only leave behind his beer and his shirt when he drowns. It's a morbidly humorous ending that is typical of Waits's style.
Overall, The Ocean is a haunting song that explores dark themes with an unusual poetry that is characteristic of Tom Waits. The song's lyrics suggest that the ocean is a powerful force that can either embrace or reject us, and that we are powerless against it. The song suggests a kind of existential resignation to life's often harsh and uncontrollable circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, the-
Starting the song with a hesitant tone.
The ocean doesn't want me today
The singer feels unwelcome by the ocean today.
But I'll be back tomorrow to play
Despite being rejected today, the singer is willing to come back tomorrow and try again.
And the strangles will take me
The currents of the ocean will drag the artist down.
Down deep in their brine
The artist will be immersed in the ocean's saltwater.
The mischievous brain jewels
The singer's thoughts and ideas are personified as precious gems.
Down into the endless blue wine
The ocean seems like an infinite source of inspiration for the singer.
I'll open my head and let out all of my time
The artist plans to release all of their thoughts and creativity.
I'd love to go drowning
The artist desires to fully immerse themselves in the ocean's depths.
And to stay and to stay
The artist wants to stay submerged in the ocean for an extended period of time.
But the ocean doesn't want me today
Despite the singer's desires, they are still not welcomed by the ocean.
I'll go in up to here
The artist will only enter the ocean up to a certain point because of fear or respect.
It can't possibly hurt
The singer is trying to convince themselves that entering the ocean won't result in any harm.
All they will find is my beer and my shirt
If something goes wrong and the singer doesn't return, they will only leave behind their possessions on the shore.
A rip tide is ragin'
The ocean currents are intense and dangerous.
And the life guard's away
The artist is taking a risk by entering the ocean without the protection of a lifeguard.
But the ocean doesn't want me today
The repeated line reinforces the idea that the artist is being rejected by the ocean.
But the ocean doesn't want me today
Final repetition of the chorus to conclude the song.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, JALMA MUSIC
Written by: THOMAS ALAN WAITS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tyrondardizian6711
The ocean doesn't want me today
But I'll be back tomorrow to play
And the strangels will take me
Down deep in their brine
The mischievous braingels
Down into the endless blue wine
I'll open my head and let out
All of my time
I'd love to go drowning
And to stay and to stay
But the ocean doesn't want me today
I'll go in up to here
It can't possibly hurt
All they will find is my beer
And my shirt
A rip tide is raging
And the life guard is away
But the ocean doesn't want me today
The ocean doesn't want me today
@tyrondardizian6711
The ocean doesn't want me today
But I'll be back tomorrow to play
And the strangels will take me
Down deep in their brine
The mischievous braingels
Down into the endless blue wine
I'll open my head and let out
All of my time
I'd love to go drowning
And to stay and to stay
But the ocean doesn't want me today
I'll go in up to here
It can't possibly hurt
All they will find is my beer
And my shirt
A rip tide is raging
And the life guard is away
But the ocean doesn't want me today
The ocean doesn't want me today
@ileezamotherofrain4537
I thought I wanted it. It neither wanted nor did not want me.
I myself decided I didn't want it. I did not want it that day. I kept hearing it. It was terrifying. Still pulling myself out.
I don't want that today.
@hightreestess
This is one of those certain Tom Waits tunes that just satisfies a certain mood.
@audreymcadams6568
Underrated as one of his creepiest songs.
@Missjunebugfreak
I really love it. I wish the song was a bit longer.
@MattSofianosGuitar
Not by me. Giving me the creeps since 1993!
@fredrickpotocnik8156
Incredible poetry of our time!!!
@ileezamotherofrain4537
This guy's stuff has dragged me through things. Helped me so much.
@nickanddeb
I played this song for a friend once. He removed and slammed down the headphones. It really shook him up.
@brianrappleye9078
Tom Waits represents all of the things we never talk about because it hurts