Green attended Emerson College briefly in 1998 before leaving to concentrate on his music, going on to co-found the anti folk group The Moldy Peaches with Kimya Dawson. In 2004 The Moldy Peaches went on hiatus and both Green and Dawson embarked on solo careers.
Green released several albums on Rough Trade Records. Among his better known songs are "Jessica" (about singer Jessica Simpson), "Novotel", "Friends of Mine", "Dance with Me", "Carolina" and "Emily", and, in Britain, his cover of The Libertines track "What a Waster".
Prior to Jacket Full of Danger in 2006, all of Green's albums had been released on the 22nd of the month. His latest album was released on March 18, 2008 and is titled Sixes & Sevens. Titles include "Morning After Midnight", "Twee Twee Dee", and "Drowning Head First", the latter a duet between Green and his girlfriend.
In January 2008, The Moldy Peaches began having a resurgence in popularity, due to their music being included in the hit indie film Juno.
Drowning Head First
Adam Green Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Plucked from the rues of a funeral casket
Here baby cheers when I'm wandering near you
How's the broken hearted blues?
Don't overthink when they say "I told you"
Lay off the booze as the video blows you
Bring on the cheer
I've got this terrible problem
All my friends had left the feeling I'd sober
I was a chef on the Red October
Who lost his spine, who's paid to feel fine
And just for ugly babies who are often unkind
I pushed away those concerts where the privileged come to play
I chopped down disciples who'd been clean for just one day
Despite my attitude was poised to discover
I'd change the news to find just one jealous lover
And I love her on time
Loribeth:
Chocomel, fanta pop, Easter basket
Dos mojitos en la discothequa
Not supposed to eat after midnight
I think we have a terrible problem
Together:
Don't overthink when they say "I told you"
Lay off the booze as the video blows you
Bring on the cheer
I want to be here but
I think I'm turning into a monster deer
The opening lines of Adam Green's "Drowning Head First" depict a surreal scene of the singer submerged in water but wearing a blue life jacket to keep afloat. The phrase "Plucked from the rues of a funeral casket" suggests that the singer was close to death at some point and is now being given a second chance. The lyrics then take a sudden turn as the singer questions someone named Baby about the state of their "broken-hearted blues."
As the song progresses, the singer seems to be struggling with addiction and self-destructive behavior. He acknowledges that he has a "terrible problem" and that his friends have left him because of his behavior. The image of being a chef on the Red October, a reference to the movie "The Hunt for Red October," is a metaphor for his own life. He has lost his sense of self but is still expected to put on a front for others to see.
The chorus of "Drowning Head First" repeats the advice to "lay off the booze" and not "overthink" what others are saying. The final lines of the song suggest that the singer is aware of his own transformation into something monstrous and is struggling to prevent it from happening.
Overall, the lyrics of "Drowning Head First" seem to be exploring themes of addiction, self-destruction, and the struggle to maintain a sense of self in the face of external pressures. The surreal imagery and unexpected turns in the lyrics keep the listener engaged and create a sense of unease that mirrors the singer's own feelings of uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
Drowning head first in my blue life jacket
Feeling overwhelmed and suffocated by life despite showing outward signs of safety and security
Plucked from the rues of a funeral casket
Saved from a metaphorical death and given a second chance at life
Here baby cheers when I'm wandering near you
Finding some solace in the presence of a loved one during hard times
How's the broken hearted blues?
Asking someone how they're doing emotionally after going through a difficult experience
Don't overthink when they say "I told you"
Advising against dwelling on negative feedback from others
Lay off the booze as the video blows you
Suggesting to avoid alcohol as a way to deal with problems when it will only create more issues
Bring on the cheer
Trying to focus on positive things and find happiness, even during tough times
I want to be here but
Desiring to be present and engaged in life, but struggling with inner turmoil
I've got this terrible problem
Acknowledging the existence of a major issue that's difficult to overcome
All my friends had left the feeling I'd sober
Feeling isolated and alone due to addiction or mental health struggles
I was a chef on the Red October
Referencing being in a powerful or influential position, but still struggling internally
Who lost his spine, who's paid to feel fine
Feeling like something essential has been lost and forced to present a false sense of well-being to others
And just for ugly babies who are often unkind
Commenting on the unfairness of life and how negative experiences can happen to anyone
I pushed away those concerts where the privileged come to play
Avoiding situations where it seems like everyone else is happy and successful, leading to feelings of inadequacy
I chopped down disciples who'd been clean for just one day
Feeling resentment towards those who seem to have it all together, even if they've only just started on that path
Despite my attitude was poised to discover
Even though I was trying to stay positive and keep moving forward
I'd change the news to find just one jealous lover
Desperately searching for validation, even if it's negative attention
And I love her on time
Expressing a desire to love someone fully and deeply, without being held back by personal struggles
Chocomel, fanta pop, Easter basket
Listing off random items or memories that don't necessarily have a deeper meaning
Dos mojitos en la discothequa
Referencing a specific memory or experience involving alcohol and going out
Not supposed to eat after midnight
Making light of silly or arbitrary rules that don't have much real-world impact
I think we have a terrible problem
Acknowledging that something is wrong or difficult, but trying to approach it in a lighthearted way
I think I'm turning into a monster deer
Feeling like one is losing control or becoming something other than who they were before
Contributed by Scarlett H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.