Water
Boingo Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Now, everybody tells you're the dog's best friend
I'm the cat's meow since I don't know when
I'm an instigator from a dead man's town
So when did the whole world turn upside down?

When did you change your mind?
When did you lose the juice?
Now, where did you get your attitude?

When did you give it away?
What did the old man say?
And how many babies did you kick today?

Now, how many nights can the full moon shine?
How many bottles of water can you turn to wine
When the blood has flowed against the tides of time
And the water flows forever? Hey, hey, hey

Now, I'm gonna build a boat, I'm gonna make it float
'Cause I'm getting the chase for a faraway place
Gonna set the sail, gonna catch some wind
And the big red sky's gonna be my only friend

With a boat for two, just me and you
You can be my teacher, I can teach you too
Gonna try a few things that I've never done
Maybe talk to the fishes, maybe have some fun

Maybe shake my pale fist at the angry stars
While I dance a jig under the eyes of Mars
When we get to an island where no one's ever been
We can get down and dirty in our animal skins

And I stand with my thing hanging out in the wind
Where the water's sweet like honey
Hey, hey, yeah, hey, hey, yeah, yeah, hey, now

I've been feeling a chill, from the East wind blue
Is it creeping up slow, have you felt it too?
Have you noticed the look, have you felt the feel?
Did it make you blush when the piggy squealed?

Have you heard what they say, did you read the news?
Said, the old man's coming home a singing the blues
Gonna whack your fanny, gonna tan your hide

Make your ears turn red and make you gonna cry
Now, well, how many children gonna lose their minds
How many crying girls will be left behind?
When the dead start walking and the full moon shines

When the dead start walking and the full moon shines
When the dead start walking and the full moon shines
When the dead start walking and the full moon shines
When the dead start walking, yeah

Now, everybody sing to the heavens above
And everybody dance to the sounds of love
Won't you clack your teeth, won't you smack your hands?
Won't you dig your little heads right out of the sand?

Won't you jiggle your butt, won't you wave your arms?
Won't you look like you just came off of the farm?
Won't you stop your fighting for a second or two?
Won't you help your neighbors, won't you do the do?

Won't you taste the sugar, won't you eat the cake?
Won't you get your ugly mug right out of my face?
Won't you tell your brothers and your sisters tonight
That you tasted the water and the water was right?

Won't you taste the sugar, won't you dance the dance?
Won't you wake up? Please and come on out of your trance
Everybody make believe that you disappear

For a second or two, gonna feel so queer




And you left behind all your rage and fear
And it made you feel like water

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Boingo's song Water are a blend of abstract imagery, cryptic comments on society, and poetic language. The opening lines "Now, everybody tells you're the dog's best friend, I'm the cat's meow since I don't know when" introduces the theme of opposition or dichotomy that is maintained throughout the song. The lyrics question when and how the world has changed and when did people lose their essence or "juice" and attitude. The lines "And how many babies did you kick today?" delves deeper, seemingly referring to the lack of empathy or care within society. The second verse sees the introduction of a journey, where the singer builds a boat to set off to a faraway place with a special someone to explore uncharted territory, and revel in a newfound freedom where there's no societal pressure or preconceived notion that taints their experiences.


The third verse sees the return of the dichotomy presented in the opening lines, with the singer and his companion trying to evade the impending danger while observing the chaos and destruction happening around them. The lyrics "When the dead start walking and the full moon shines" paint a grim picture of a world where nature and society are running amok. The song then switches focus to becoming an anthem for unity and acts of kindness, urging people to stop fighting and come together. The lyrics "Won't you help your neighbors, won't you do the do?" encapsulate the plea, urging listeners to be more compassionate and embrace the sweetness that life has to offer.


Line by Line Meaning

Now, everybody tells you're the dog's best friend
Everyone is saying you are loyal and trustworthy


I'm the cat's meow since I don't know when
I have been doing well and impressive for a long time


I'm an instigator from a dead man's town
I like to stir things up even when things are hopeless


So when did the whole world turn upside down?
When did everything change?


When did you change your mind?
When did you alter your beliefs?


When did you lose the juice?
When did you lose your energy, enthusiasm or motivation?


Now, where did you get your attitude?
Where did your viewpoint come from?


When did you give it away?
When did you sacrifice your beliefs or attitude?


What did the old man say?
What advice did the elderly give you?


And how many babies did you kick today?
How many innocent people did you harm today?


Now, how many nights can the full moon shine?
For how many nights will the full moon illuminate?


How many bottles of water can you turn to wine
How many problems can you solve effortlessly?


When the blood has flowed against the tides of time
When one has survived and fought against time


And the water flows forever? Hey, hey, hey
And when goodness flows forever?


Now, I'm gonna build a boat, I'm gonna make it float
I am going to create something and make it successful


'Cause I'm getting the chase for a faraway place
Because I am searching for something far away


Gonna set the sail, gonna catch some wind
I am going to embark on a journey and achieve great success


And the big red sky's gonna be my only friend
I will be all alone with only the sky as my companion


With a boat for two, just me and you
With two of us on this journey together


You can be my teacher, I can teach you too
We can learn from each other


Gonna try a few things that I've never done
I will try new things and challenge myself


Maybe talk to the fishes, maybe have some fun
Maybe have unique experiences and enjoy ourselves


Maybe shake my pale fist at the angry stars
Maybe express my anger to the universe


While I dance a jig under the eyes of Mars
While I dance under the gaze of the planet Mars


When we get to an island where no one's ever been
When we travel to a completely unexplored island


We can get down and dirty in our animal skins
We can act like our primal selves on this island


And I stand with my thing hanging out in the wind
I stand nude and carefree


Where the water's sweet like honey
Where things are peaceful and sweet


I've been feeling a chill, from the East wind blue
I have been feeling a cold, uninviting breeze from the east


Is it creeping up slow, have you felt it too?
Is the feeling becoming stronger? Are you experiencing it as well?


Have you noticed the look, have you felt the feel?
Have you noticed the expression and felt a similar feeling?


Did it make you blush when the piggy squealed?
Did you feel surprised or embarrassed by the situation?


Have you heard what they say, did you read the news?
Have you caught up on current events?


Said, the old man's coming home a singing the blues
The elderly man will return home feeling unhappy and troubled


Gonna whack your fanny, gonna tan your hide
I am going to punish you for your misbehavior


Make your ears turn red and make you gonna cry
I am going to shame and possibly hurt you


Now, well, how many children gonna lose their minds
How many kids will go insane?


How many crying girls will be left behind?
How many sad girls will be left out of the fun?


Now, everybody sing to the heavens above
Everyone should sing with joy to the universe


And everybody dance to the sounds of love
Everyone should dance to the music of love


Won't you clack your teeth, won't you smack your hands?
Won't you express yourself?


Won't you dig your little heads right out of the sand?
Won't you stop ignoring the truth?


Won't you jiggle your butt, won't you wave your arms?
Won't you move your body and have fun?


Won't you look like you just came off of the farm?
Won't you dress casually and relax?


Won't you stop your fighting for a second or two?
Won't you put your arguments on hold and have a break?


Won't you help your neighbors, won't you do the do?
Won't you do something kind and helpful for someone else?


Won't you taste the sugar, won't you eat the cake?
Won't you enjoy life's sweet offerings?


Won't you get your ugly mug right out of my face?
Won't you let me be for a while and stop bothering me?


Won't you tell your brothers and your sisters tonight
Won't you share this message with others?


That you tasted the water and the water was right?
That you have found goodness and it tastes amazing


Won't you taste the sugar, won't you dance the dance?
Won't you enjoy and celebrate life?


Won't you wake up? Please and come on out of your trance
Won't you snap out of it and recognize reality?


Everybody make believe that you disappear
Everyone imagine that they temporarily vanish


For a second or two, gonna feel so queer
For a moment, we will feel strange


And you left behind all your rage and fear
You are free of your anger and insecurities


And it made you feel like water
This release made you feel peaceful and calm




Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DANNY ELFMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@OingoBoingoTapes

Now everybody tells me I'm the dog's best friend
And the cat's meow since I don't know when
I'm an instigator from a dead man's town
So when did the whole world turn upside down

When did you change your mind
When did you lose the juice now
Where did you get your attitude
When did you give it away
What did the old man say
And how many babies did you kick today

Now how many nights can the full moon shine
How many bottles of water can you turn to wine
When the blood has flowed against the tides of time
And the water flows forever

Now, I'm gonna build a boat, I'm gonna make it float
'Cause I'm getting the chase for a faraway place
Gonna set the sail, gonna catch some wind
And the big red sky's gonna be my only friend

With a boat for two, just me and you
You can be my teacher, I can teach you too
Gonna try a few things that I've never done
Maybe talk to the fishes, maybe have some fun
Maybe shake my pale fist at the angry stars
While I dance a jig under the eyes of Mars

When we get to an island where no one's ever been
We can get down and dirty in our animal skins
And I stand with my thing hanging out in the wind
Where the water's sweet like honey

I've been feeling a chill from the East wind blue
It's been creeping up slow, have you felt it too
Have you noticed the look, have you felt the feel
Did it make you blush when the piggies squealed

Have you heard what they say, did you read the news
Said the old man's coming home to sing the blues
Gonna whack your fanny, gonna tan your hide
Make your ears turn red and make you gonna cry

Now well how many children gonna lose their minds
How many crying girls will be left behind
When the dead start walking and the full moon shines
When the dead start walking and the full moon shines
When the dead start walking, yeah

Now, everybody scream to the heavens above
Everybody dance to the sounds of love
Won't you clack your teeth, won't you smack your hands
Won't you dig your little heads right out of the sand

Won't you jiggle your butt, won't you wave your arms
Won't you look like you just came off of the farm
Won't you stop your fighting for a second or two
Won't you help your neighbors, won't you do the do

Won't you taste the sugar, won't you eat the cake
Won't you get your ugly mug right out of my face
Won't you tell your brothers and your sisters tonight
That you tasted the water and the water was right

Won't you taste the sugar, won't you dance the dance
Won't you wake up please, come on out of your trance

Everybody make believe that you disappeared
For a second or two you're gonna feel so queer
That you left behind all the rage and fear
And it made you feel like water



All comments from YouTube:

@OingoBoingoTapes

Now everybody tells me I'm the dog's best friend
And the cat's meow since I don't know when
I'm an instigator from a dead man's town
So when did the whole world turn upside down

When did you change your mind
When did you lose the juice now
Where did you get your attitude
When did you give it away
What did the old man say
And how many babies did you kick today

Now how many nights can the full moon shine
How many bottles of water can you turn to wine
When the blood has flowed against the tides of time
And the water flows forever

Now, I'm gonna build a boat, I'm gonna make it float
'Cause I'm getting the chase for a faraway place
Gonna set the sail, gonna catch some wind
And the big red sky's gonna be my only friend

With a boat for two, just me and you
You can be my teacher, I can teach you too
Gonna try a few things that I've never done
Maybe talk to the fishes, maybe have some fun
Maybe shake my pale fist at the angry stars
While I dance a jig under the eyes of Mars

When we get to an island where no one's ever been
We can get down and dirty in our animal skins
And I stand with my thing hanging out in the wind
Where the water's sweet like honey

I've been feeling a chill from the East wind blue
It's been creeping up slow, have you felt it too
Have you noticed the look, have you felt the feel
Did it make you blush when the piggies squealed

Have you heard what they say, did you read the news
Said the old man's coming home to sing the blues
Gonna whack your fanny, gonna tan your hide
Make your ears turn red and make you gonna cry

Now well how many children gonna lose their minds
How many crying girls will be left behind
When the dead start walking and the full moon shines
When the dead start walking and the full moon shines
When the dead start walking, yeah

Now, everybody scream to the heavens above
Everybody dance to the sounds of love
Won't you clack your teeth, won't you smack your hands
Won't you dig your little heads right out of the sand

Won't you jiggle your butt, won't you wave your arms
Won't you look like you just came off of the farm
Won't you stop your fighting for a second or two
Won't you help your neighbors, won't you do the do

Won't you taste the sugar, won't you eat the cake
Won't you get your ugly mug right out of my face
Won't you tell your brothers and your sisters tonight
That you tasted the water and the water was right

Won't you taste the sugar, won't you dance the dance
Won't you wake up please, come on out of your trance

Everybody make believe that you disappeared
For a second or two you're gonna feel so queer
That you left behind all the rage and fear
And it made you feel like water

@Romulan_type

Boingo needs to come back to release a remaster all of the old reject recordings bc they’re amazing

@NodiumAmoko

The old record burnt in the fire of the studios :/

@strangewayfaringstranger

@Nodium Amoko Then they need to record it again! haha
I bet you anything Danny has some copies though.

@farcebook1836

I agree πŸ’―!!!

@FrenchToasted1995

i always talk to pictures

@Operator713

The live version does not compare to this one. Definitely needs a remaster and release. Adore this song. Can't remember where I first found it. Thank you for posting.

@matthewshoemaker2211

This song set me free in a very fucking real way that thousands of dollars worth of in-patient therapy wasn't able to

@volatilevulture8102

I've found it interesting that Oingo Boingo has done a bit of genre experimentation, and this song in particular has a bit of a bluegrass-like sound to it. Gotta say, I love it.

@FuryKat

I've only heard the Farewell version since I was kid, and this is incredible...thank you so much for posting this. It's hypnotic.

More Comments

More Versions