The Tide
Amber Lawrence Lyrics
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I should've told you not to call
I should've walked on by
I should've known, you'd let me fall
I could've told a lie
I could've said I don't love you
I could've asked you why
And you will let me swim from shore
Far enough so you can still see me
And when I swim too far a shore
You'll be the type that pulls me from the sea
I think you're being cruel
I think it's time you made a choice
You think that I'm a fool
But I can't take a stand when I hear your voice
And you will let me swim from shore
Far enough so you can still see me
And when I swim too far a shore
You'll be the type that pulls me from the sea
I know I'm drowing
Your pulling me under
Let me breathe
And you will let me swim from shore
Far enough so you can still see me
And when I swim too far a shore
You'll be the type that pulls me
And you will let me swim from shore
Far enough so you can still see me
And when I swim too far a shore
You'll be the type that pulls me
Why do you do this to me?
The song "The Tide" by Amber Lawrence seems to be about a tumultuous relationship where the singer is being led on by her partner. The lyrics suggest a sense of regret and betrayal. The singer acknowledges that she should have walked away and ended the relationship when she had the chance. However, her feelings for her partner are too strong, and she cannot bring herself to leave. The lyrics "I think you're being cruel, I think it's time you made a choice" imply that the singer is aware that her partner is toying with her emotions and keeping her in limbo, but she is powerless to do anything about it. The metaphor of the tide is used throughout the song, suggesting that the singer's emotions are in constant flux, just like the ocean's waves.
The chorus of the song repeats the lines "And you will let me swim from shore, far enough so you can still see me. And when I swim too far a shore, you'll be the type that pulls me from the sea." It seems to acknowledge that the singer's partner enjoys the power that comes with dangling her on a string, then saving her when she's in trouble. The lines "I know I'm drowning, your pulling me under, let me breathe" are particularly poignant, suggesting that although the singer is aware of her partner's actions, she is unable to detach herself from the relationship that is causing her so much pain.
Overall, "The Tide" is a song about emotional vulnerability, betrayal, and regret in a relationship. It takes the metaphor of the ocean and uses it effectively to describe the constantly changing emotions that come with a tumultuous relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I should've said goodbye
I regret not saying goodbye to you when I had the chance.
I should've told you not to call
I regret not telling you to stop trying to contact me.
I should've walked on by
I regret not avoiding you when I had the chance.
I should've known, you'd let me fall
I regret not realizing sooner that you would hurt me.
I could've told a lie
I had the option to lie about my feelings towards you.
I could've said I don't love you
I had the option to express that I don't have romantic feelings for you.
I could've asked you why
I had the option to question your behavior towards me.
Do you even know what you do
I wonder if you are even aware of the impact your actions have on me.
And you will let me swim from shore
You will give me space to explore my own path.
Far enough so you can still see me
You still want to keep an eye on me even as I move away from you.
And when I swim too far a shore
If I get in over my head, you will come to my aid.
You'll be the type that pulls me from the sea
You will be the one to rescue me in my time of need.
I think you're being cruel
I believe you are intentionally causing me emotional harm.
I think it's time you made a choice
I believe you need to decide what you truly want from our relationship.
You think that I'm a fool
You believe that I am naive and easily manipulated.
But I can't take a stand when I hear your voice
Even though I want to stand up for myself, I find it difficult to do so in your presence.
I know I'm drowing
I am struggling to keep my head above water.
Your pulling me under
I feel like you are the cause of my struggles.
Let me breathe
I need space to think and make my own decisions.
Why do you do this to me?
I cannot understand why you continue to hurt me despite my pleas for you to stop.
Contributed by Hailey L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.