Jillian Rose Banks, known mononymously as Banks (stylized in all caps), is … Read Full Bio ↴Jillian Rose Banks, known mononymously as Banks (stylized in all caps), is an American singer and songwriter. Following the release of two EPs, Fall Over and London, in 2013, Banks released her debut album, Goddess, in 2014 to positive reviews from contemporary music critics. It reached number 12 on the US Billboard 200, while its most successful single, "Beggin for Thread", was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Her second studio album, The Altar, was released in September 2016 to a similar positive reception, becoming her second top 20 album in the United States. Her third album, III, was released in 2019. It became her most critically acclaimed release to date and peaked at number 21 on the Billboard 200, as well as number 3 on the Top Albums Sales chart.

Drowning
BANKS Lyrics

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You tried to lie, I can see that you don't need me
(That you don't need me, that you don't need me)
All of your words, they have been cursed with dishonesty
(With dishonesty, with dishonesty)

Take it from the girl you claimed to love
You gonna get some bad karma
I'm the one who had to learn to build a heart made of armor

From the girl who made you soup and tied your shoes when you were hurting
You are not deserving, you are not deserving

I can see that you wanted me cold
You're so bold, why you're watching me moan?

You tried to hide, I can see that you don't see me
(That you don't see me, that you don't see me)
What do you gain by the names that you're calling me
(That you're calling me, that you're calling me)

Take it from the girl you claimed to love
You gonna get some bad karma
I'm the one who had to learn to build a heart made of armor
From the girl who made you soup and tied your shoes when you were hurting
You are not deserving, you are not deserving

('Cause I'm drowning for ya)
I can see that you wanting me cold
You're so bold, why you're watching me moan?

Holding it up
Like you can pull me down
'Cause I'm drowning for ya
('Cause I'm drowning for ya)
'Cause I'm drowning for ya

Can you follow me up to the water?
You can show me the sinking deeper
Let me know
'Cause I'm drowning for ya
Can you follow me up to the water?
You can show me the sinking deeper
Let me know
'Cause I'm drowning for ya
Can you follow me up to the water?
You can show me the sinking deeper
Let me know
'Cause I'm drowning for ya
Can you follow me up to the water?
You can show me the sinking deeper
Let me know
'Cause I'm drowning for ya

('Cause I'm drowning for ya)

Overall Meaning

The song "Drowning" by Banks is a powerful and emotionally charged track that explores the feelings of pain and betrayal that come with being in a relationship with someone who doesn't value or appreciate you. The opening lines of the song, "You tried to lie, I can see that you don't need me / All of your words, they have been cursed with dishonesty" set the tone for the rest of the song, as Banks describes her struggle to move on from a relationship that has left her feeling hurt and alone.

Throughout the song, Banks challenges her former lover, reminding him that he doesn't deserve her love or affection. She sings, "Take it from the girl you claimed to love / You gonna get some bad karma / I'm the one who had to learn to build a heart made of armor / From the girl who made you soup and tied your shoes when you were hurting / You are not deserving, you are not deserving." These lyrics are particularly powerful, as Banks exposes the various ways in which she has gone above and beyond for this person, only to be met with deceit and betrayal.

The chorus of the song, "Can you follow me up to the water? / You can show me the sinking deeper / Let me know / 'Cause I'm drowning for ya," is a poignant metaphor for the way in which Banks feels trapped in this relationship. She is drowning, and she needs her former lover to see that and recognize the pain he has caused her.

Line by Line Meaning

You tried to lie, I can see that you don't need me (That you don't need me, that you don't need me)
The singer sees through the lies of the other person that they never actually needed her.

All of your words, they have been cursed with dishonesty (With dishonesty, with dishonesty)
The singer believes that every word the other person has said has been tainted with dishonesty.

Take it from the girl you claimed to love You gonna get some bad karma I'm the one who had to learn to build a heart made of armor From the girl who made you soup and tied your shoes when you were hurting You are not deserving, you are not deserving
The singer warns the other person that they will eventually face negative consequences for their actions. She is the one who had to protect herself from getting hurt, even though she was the one who cared for the other person. She doesn't believe that the other person is worthy of her kindness and affection.

I can see that you wanted me cold You're so bold, why you're watching me moan?
The artist realizes that the other person wanted her to detach herself emotionally so that they could behave badly without feeling guilty. She questions why the other person is still observing her pain and suffering, despite wanting her to be numb to it.

You tried to hide, I can see that you don't see me (That you don't see me, that you don't see me) What do you gain by the names that you're calling me (That you're calling me, that you're calling me)
The artist knows that even though the other person thinks they are hiding something, she can still see through them. She questions what the other person gains by calling her names and treating her poorly.

('Cause I'm drowning for ya) I can see that you wanting me cold You're so bold, why you're watching me moan?
The singer is suffering because of her feelings for the other person, who wants her to be unfeeling. She questions why the other person is still observing her pain and suffering, despite knowing that they are the cause of it.

Holding it up Like you can pull me down 'Cause I'm drowning for ya ('Cause I'm drowning for ya) 'Cause I'm drowning for ya
The other person is trying to control the situation, thinking that they can bring the singer down. However, the singer is so devoted to them that she keeps drowning in her feelings.

Can you follow me up to the water? You can show me the sinking deeper Let me know 'Cause I'm drowning for ya Can you follow me up to the water? You can show me the sinking deeper Let me know 'Cause I'm drowning for ya Can you follow me up to the water? You can show me the sinking deeper Let me know 'Cause I'm drowning for ya Can you follow me up to the water? You can show me the sinking deeper Let me know 'Cause I'm drowning for ya
The artist is urging the other person to come closer and see how much she is suffering because of her feelings for them. She wants them to understand what she is going through.

('Cause I'm drowning for ya)
The artist continues to suffer because of her feelings for the other person, and the other person is not doing anything to help her.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Alexander Shuckburgh, Jillian Rose Banks

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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