Oil on Water
Bastille Lyrics

The lyrics of "Oil on Water" by Bastille is a commentary on the modern practice of documenting every aspect of one's life on social media. The first stanza talks about a woman who is so consumed with documenting her sexual experiences that her fingers "run away with themselves." The singer observes that she is using her mind to put into words what her body has done, emphasizing the conscious effort she puts into documenting every detail of her life. The second stanza likens her sexual encounters to oil on water, something that cannot be easily mixed or reconciled in the same way that the woman's promiscuous lifestyle may lead to emotional and psychological damage later on. The line "someone's daughter" infers the idea that the singer is judging her actions and is concerned about her possible involvement in exploitative situations.

The chorus repeats the line, "They lie together, oh, oil on water" which underscores the central theme of the song: the contrast between the physical and emotional selves of this woman. Her sexual encounters offer fleeting, physical satisfaction, but the emotional consequences showcase a darker, more profound dysfunction. Finally, the third stanza acknowledges that the woman uses her sexual experiences as inspiration for her writing, turning them into "literature." She writes about her body games and awkward encounters, letting her audience on social media in on her secrets. The final line repeats the chorus for effect, indicating the repeated cycle of such behavior.

Overall, the lyrics of "Oil on Water” present a nuanced portrait of modern sexual encounters and human weaknesses. It takes on the dark side of social media, where emotions are often toyed with and selfish ambitions are disguised as authentic expressions. It also highlights the complex emotional repercussions of casual and indiscriminate sexual encounters, which can lead to loneliness, isolation, and a state of perpetual self-involvement.