<… Read Full Bio ↴BLOCK: Let's listen to one of the songs. This is "Sailing to Nowhere."
(Soundbite of song, "Sailing to Nowhere")
BROKEN BELLS: (Singing) (Unintelligible).
BLOCK: Brian, what are we hearing here?
Mr. BURTON: Oh, gosh.
Mr. MERCER: See that part sounds like a sample, yeah.
Mr. BURTON: This is a Wurlitzer with an acoustic guitar, and then it changes over to this really psychedelic kind of it strums and Hammond organ, yeah. I kind of meant for it to sound like it was this inserted piece from somewhere else, maybe.
(Soundbite of song, "Sailing to Nowhere")
BROKEN BELLS: (Singing) (Unintelligible).
BLOCK: There are lots of shades, I think, of Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in here, right?
Mr. MERCER: I hear that now. I hear that now that you say that, but I hadn't before.
Mr. BURTON: I mean, the idea that these things could be, there could be all these changes and go here and go there, that's great. You know, I mean, we obviously love The Beatles, and we really wanted to make something that had our influences in them for sure, you know, but still sounds like it's still James, and there's still, I guess, me in there somewhere.
BLOCK: What's happening at the end of this song? We're hearing sort of crowd sound. I think there's a train, somebody whistling.
Mr. MERCER: I pictured it as...
Mr. BURTON: As a harbor, right?
Mr. MERCER: Yeah, I pictured it as the final sort of docking of this ship on which something disastrous has happened.
Mr. BURTON: Yeah.
(Soundbite of song, "Sailing to Nowhere")
Mr. MERCER: There's a story about a ship coming into harbor in the 1340s, bringing the plague to Europe. These sailors showed up and they were in a horrible state. They had black, apple-sized goiters on their body. I mean, it was the beginning of the end of, I guess, half of the population of Europe, right?
BLOCK: Now, is that what you were thinking about when you wrote this song, or is that just - you've added after the fact?
Mr. MERCER: It's imagery that, while we were working on it, was going through my head.
Sailing To Nowhere
Broken Bells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The wind is blowing all over
There's blood on the knife
Who'd have known
You're a devious sister
Guts on your blouse
Going the wrong way
Sailing to nowhere
Vapor to float on
Still we hold on to the night
Behind I see stars, draining the light
Looking down by your house
One by one
Lord, to find
Our way out
Falling with the ghost
Down
Running in circles
A mouse on the table
I try to feel
But just don't
Hurting and dead inside
Down and covered in ah
Sit down
The lyrics of Broken Bells’ song Sailing To Nowhere could be interpreted in different ways as it touches on different themes including betrayal, confusion, and hopelessness. The singer appears to be sending a warning to someone (a devious sister) who is heading the wrong way but is unaware or indifferent to the harm they might be causing. This is evident in the lines “Tonight I send a word, The wind is blowing all over, There's blood on the knife, Who'd have known, You're a devious sister, Guts on your blouse, Going the wrong way”. The wind blowing all over could symbolize the unpredictable nature of life and the impending danger that people may face if they continue down a path that is not right for them. The image of blood on the knife could imply a violent or deadly outcome of their actions, and the mention of the sister's guts on her blouse could suggest that someone is going to get hurt.
The lyrics also contain a sense of isolation and being lost as the singer talks about sailing to nowhere and holding on to the night. The diamonds being a dozen and the vapor to float on could be references to temporary and fleeting pleasures that do not bring true happiness or fulfillment. The mention of stars draining the light and trying to find a way out could signify a feeling of being trapped in a situation or an emotion that is overwhelming and draining. The line “falling with the ghost down” suggests that the singer is descending into darkness or despair due to the circumstances they find themselves.
In conclusion, Sailing To Nowhere is a song that captures various emotions and themes that many individuals can relate to. It’s a warning to others not to follow the wrong path or make the wrong choices that may have dire consequences. It’s a song that talks about the fleeting nature of pleasure and the futility of holding on to empty pursuits. Lastly, it offers a glimpse of hope as the singer tries to escape the maze of confusion and darkness that surrounds them.
Line by Line Meaning
Tonight I send a word
I am communicating something important right now, in this moment
The wind is blowing all over
The conditions around us are turbulent and erratic
There's blood on the knife
Something violent or harmful has just taken place
Who'd have known
This situation is unexpected or shocking
You're a devious sister
You are cunning or manipulative, especially in a familial context
Guts on your blouse
You have been through something intense or traumatic, and it shows physically
Going the wrong way
We are headed in an undesirable or misguided direction
And diamonds, a dozen
We are surrounded by shiny, valuable things, but they are not necessarily meaningful or fulfilling
Sailing to nowhere
We are pursuing a goal or destination that ultimately has no purpose or significance
Vapor to float on
We are clinging to something that is insubstantial or fleeting
Still we hold on to the night
Despite the uncertainty and confusion around us, we are trying to maintain a sense of stability or consistency
Behind I see stars, draining the light
The past is fading away or becoming less relevant, and it is both beautiful and sad
Looking down by your house
I am observing a familiar or intimate setting, but from an outsider's perspective
One by one
Things are happening gradually, and each step is significant
Lord, to find
We are searching for something meaningful or profound
Our way out
We are trying to escape or move past a difficult situation
Falling with the ghost
We are experiencing a sense of loss or longing, perhaps for something or someone who is no longer with us
Down
We are feeling heavy or low, both physically and emotionally
Running in circles
We are stuck in a cycle or pattern that is unproductive or frustrating
A mouse on the table
We are in a vulnerable or helpless position, akin to a small animal in the presence of a larger predator
I try to feel
I am attempting to connect emotionally or empathetically with someone or something
But just don't
My efforts are not successful; I am unable to make the desired connection
Hurting and dead inside
I am experiencing profound emotional pain or emptiness
Down and covered in ah
I am feeling defeated and overwhelmed, and I cannot find the words to express it
Sit down
It is time to take a break or pause, to reflect on what has transpired and regain some composure
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BRIAN BURTON, JAMES MERCER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@wishstar6268
Tonight, I sail the world
The wind is blowing all over, there's blood on my knife
Who'd have known, you’re a deviant sister
Guts on your blouse
Going the wrong way
In diamonds, a dozen
Sailing to nowhere
Vapor to float on
Still we hold onto the night
Battle systems, trading in lies
Taken down by the hounds, one by one
Long to find our way out
Following the ghost down
Running in circles, a mouse on the table
I try to feel but just don’t
Hurting and dead inside
“Go on and cut him in half”, said I
@robink.9966
Tonight, I sail the world
The wind is blowing all over, there's blood on my knife
Who'd have known, you’re a deviant sister
Guts on your blouse
Going the wrong way
In diamonds, a dozen
Sailing to nowhere
Vapor to float on
Still we hold onto the night
Battle systems, trading in lies
Taken down by the hounds, one by one
Long to find our way out
Following the ghost down
Running in circles, a mouse on the table
I try to feel but just don’t
Hurting and dead inside
“Go on and cut him in half”, said I
@odalianadreyfus9445
This is my favorite song. ♥️
The way the background takes me straight to the ocean is just undescriptible. Peaceful sound, delicate voice and of course good lyrics.
@abdulzangwio2259
Thank you guys 👍🏾☺️ always putting smile on my face
@Langolyer2010
Wouldnt have said that these lyrics put the smile on my face at all lol
@cheetah5063
The tunes in this are amazing!
@zachsmith3
I started liking broken bells in 2014 when I saw the album cover of After the disco on the front page of iTunes.
I was 12 but I stayed for the tunes! One more album!
@isaac-mihaiperianu6425
Same here !
@christianheaps9711
C’mon boys we need new stuff! 🙏🏼
@chrisblackburn8044
This song pulls me out of it everytime.
@tabark5611
I love this song so much it hurts
@ryank1231998
I love you BB <3