2) Can't Swim is a four-piece from the Western Isles of Scotland.
Stranger
Can't Swim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Were never ending
Chasing with no consequence
Your new obsession
You always went alone
You never trusted anyone
How far will you go to forget where you're from
Oh god I always felt like you were such a stranger
Oh god I always felt like you were such a stranger
From a tale of a life that I once called my own
With the fear that you'd escape
My contradiction
Could this be a lesson learned or all for nothing
Oh will I ever feel what I felt with anyone
How far must I go to forget what I've done
Oh god I always felt like you were such a stranger
And I know the farther you go I'll need you closer
Oh god I always felt like you were such a stranger
From a tale of a life that I once called my own
And you wonder how you'd ever fathomed how you would be content
Would the places that you traveled to someday be filled with friends
That you threw away back home and said you'd find them all again
Would I just be just like them
A replacement in the end
Oh god I always felt like you were such a stranger
And I know the farther you go I'll need you closer
Oh god I always felt like you were such a stranger
From a tale of a life that I once called my own
The lyrics to Can't Swim's song "Stranger" paint a picture of distance and loss between two people. It seems that planes and trains have taken one of them away, and they are chasing something with no consequence, a new obsession. The person who left always went alone, never trusting anyone, and the fear of them escaping is a contradiction in the other person's mind. They wonder if this distance will be a lesson learned or all for nothing. The chorus repeats the sentiment that the other person feels like a stranger, one that they always needed closer, from a tale of a life that was once their own. The song ends with questions about how the person who left will eventually feel and whether they will find new friends, or whether the other person will just be another replacement in the end.
The song beautifully portrays the pain and confusion that comes with distance and loss between loved ones. The opening lines of planes and trains invoking the feeling of constant motion and the inability to keep still, shows the restlessness felt by the person who left. The line, "You always went alone, you never trusted anyone," indicates a deep-seated fear of attachment or perhaps even an inability to connect with others. The use of "Oh god" adds an emotional depth to the song, almost like a wail of frustration or sadness. The final stanza with its questions adds an air of melancholy, and the uncertainty of the future is palpable.
Line by Line Meaning
Planes and trains took you away
You left by various means of transportation
Were never ending
It felt like the goodbye was endless
Chasing with no consequence
You were pursuing something with no regard for the outcome
Your new obsession
You were fixated on something new
You always went alone
You preferred to be by yourself
You never trusted anyone
You didn't have faith in anyone else
How far will you go to forget where you're from
You'll do whatever it takes to distance yourself from your past
Oh god I always felt like you were such a stranger
You seemed unfamiliar to me
And I know the farther you go I'll need you closer
The more distance between us, the more I'll want to be near you
From a tale of a life that I once called my own
You were once a part of my life story
With the fear that you'd escape
I was afraid you would leave and not return
My contradiction
My conflicting feelings
Could this be a lesson learned or all for nothing
Is there something to be gained from this experience or is it pointless
Oh will I ever feel what I felt with anyone
Will I ever experience that same connection with someone else
How far must I go to forget what I've done
What do I need to do to erase my past mistakes
And you wonder how you'd ever fathomed how you would be content
You question how you ever thought you would find happiness
Would the places that you traveled to someday be filled with friends
Will you ever make close connections during your travels
That you threw away back home and said you'd find them all again
Will you be able to rekindle old friendships that you neglected
Would I just be just like them
Will I end up like those people you left behind
A replacement in the end
I would just be a substitute in the long run
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Mike Sanchez, Michael Sichel, Daniel Rico, Gregory McDevitt, Christopher Loporto
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wambui Mbuthia
Planes and trains took you away
Were never ending
Chasing with no consequence
Your new obsession
You always went alone
You never trusted anyone
How far will you go to forget where you're from
Oh god I always felt like you were such a stranger
And I know the farther you go I'll need you closer
Oh god I always felt like you were such a stranger
From a tale of a life that I once called my own
With the fear that you'd escape
My contradiction
Could this be a lesson learned or all for nothing
Oh will I ever feel what I felt with anyone
How far must I go to forget what I've done
Oh god I always felt like you were such a stranger
And I know the farther you go I'll need you closer
Oh god I always felt like you were such a stranger
From a tale of a life that I once called my own
And you wonder how you'd ever fathomed how you would be content
Would the places that you traveled to someday be filled with friends
That you threw away back home and said you'd find them all again
Would I just be just like them
A replacement in the end
Oh god I always felt like you were such a stranger
And I know the farther you go I'll need you closer
Oh god I always felt like you were such a stranger
From a tale of a life that I once called my own
Kanyon Kale
this song helped me move beyond and get over someone who used me and hurt me while simultaneously making me feel better. still listening 2 years later
bekahflo
This hurts my heart. Even after Death Deserves A Name, I'm glad to see that they're still creating honest, emotional content. I feel like the simplicity of the melody allows the listener to focus more on the lyrics. I'm so excited to see what this group releases next.
Whitlee
Well it's a year later..have you heard their new singles? Album comes out in a few weeks! I'm stoked.
naksu
Yeah umm
oilcolour
These are honestly one of the best bands to come out of the likes of Pure Noise, Run For Cover, Top Shelf, No Sleep etc. since Moose Blood IMO
Colin Nazario
oilcolour don't Forget Have Mercy my dude
oilcolour
i couldnt agree more, HM & Somos split was so good
Ashlee Maree
oilcolour For real though! 🙌
Brendan Black
boston manor!
Oswaldo Gutierrez
Totally agree with you.