During her time in the band, she worked on the solo projects Ramona Lisa and CEP before embarking on a career under her own name after Chairlift's disbandment in 2017. Her debut studio album, Pang (2019), featured collaborations with producer Danny L Harle and was released to critical acclaim. On December 5, 2022, Polachek announced her second studio album under her full name, Desire, I Want to Turn Into You, and was released on February 14, 2023.
Polachek has worked extensively with other artists, collaborating with Blood Orange, Fischerspooner, Sbtrkt, Christine and the Queens, Charli XCX and the British music collective PC Music, as well as penning material for Beyoncé ("No Angel") and Travis Scott.
Hey Big Eyes
Caroline Polachek Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At a window seat
Crying for nobody, except the world
I can picture you right now
Running down the street
Late for nobody, except the world
Hey big eyes, can you swim?
Hey red star, can you burn?
Burn down to me
Alight, alight
Alight, alight
Picture me all messed up now
Can't talk to nobody
Can't plan for anything
Except the rain
Today the flags are all flying green
At the embassies
You're here next to me, except you're not
Hey big eyes, can you swim?
Swim down to me
Hey red star, can you burn?
Burn down to me
Alight, alight
Alight, alight
Hey big eyes, can you swim?
Swim down to me
Hey red star, can you burn?
Burn down, burn down
Hey big eyes, can you swim?
Swim down to me
Hey red star, can you burn?
Burn down to me
Alight, alight
Alight, alight
The lyrics to Caroline Polachek's Hey Big Eyes are both intriguing and evocative. The song starts with a scene that appears to be a snapshot of someone in deep emotional distress, sitting alone by a window and crying for no particular reason. This is followed by another snapshot of the same person running down the street in a hurry but with no particular destination. Polachek then enters the song with the refrain, "Hey big eyes, can you swim? Swim down to me. Hey red star, can you burn? Burn down to me." These lines are a cry for help or a plea for understanding from someone trying to connect with the person in distress. The chorus seems to repeat this earnest appeal for help and support, with the lyrics "A light, a light" suggesting the hope of finding a way out of the darkness.
Throughout the rest of the song, Polachek continues to paint vivid scenes of isolation and helplessness. She sings about being unable to connect with others or plan for anything except the rain, while others around her seem more focused and purposeful. The flags at the embassies are flying green, indicating some kind of celebration or triumph, but she is unable to participate or feel the same way as everyone else. Despite this, she continues to call out to the person with the big eyes and red star, hoping for some kind of answer or connection.
Overall, Hey Big Eyes seems to be about the importance of connection and understanding in times of emotional distress. The snapshots of isolated sadness and confusion, combined with the repeated refrain of "Swim down to me" suggest that the solution to these feelings is not to retreat further into oneself, but to reach out and connect with others who can help.
Line by Line Meaning
I can picture you right now
I am imagining your current state
At a window seat
You are seated by a window
Crying for nobody, except the world
You are sobbing in anguish, solely for the world's problems
I can picture you right now
I am imagining your current state
Running down the street
You are sprinting down the road
Late for nobody, except the world
You are racing to save the world, ignoring personal obligations
Hey big eyes, can you swim?
Can you make it down to me?
Swim down to me
Descend to where I am
Hey red star, can you burn?
Can you come down to me?
Burn down to me
Descend to where I am
Alight, alight
Settle down, come to rest
Picture me all messed up now
Imagine me in disarray
Can't talk to nobody
I can't communicate with anyone
Can't plan for anything
I am unable to make any plans
Except the rain
All I can anticipate is rain
Today the flags are all flying green
The flags are green and flying today
At the embassies
At the embassies of countries
You're here next to me, except you're not
You are here with me, but you are not truly present
Hey big eyes, can you swim?
Can you make it down to me?
Swim down to me
Descend to where I am
Hey red star, can you burn?
Can you come down to me?
Burn down to me
Descend to where I am
Alight, alight
Settle down, come to rest
Hey big eyes, can you swim?
Can you make it down to me?
Swim down to me
Descend to where I am
Hey red star, can you burn?
Can you come down to me?
Burn down to me
Descend to where I am
Alight, alight
Settle down, come to rest
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Alexander Cook, Caroline Elisabeth Polachek
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@warmcore2558
Can't wait for all of the Caroline Polachek fans to start listening to George. This remix is so beautiful.
@versnellingspookie
I discovered her because of this collaboration with George! Luckily it works the other way around too ;^)
@stevesalazar5343
George Clanton is a super all heart heavy dude. This remix is certifiable proof. #vapornation
@clownmoshpit2778
Been listening to George since like 2017 (I think,) I listen to a shitload of music but he honestly will always remain in the top 3. Such a talented dude.
@jimonalimb
Present
@MarinaAndTheDevil
This literally teleported me into a new universe-
@tutorialkko3112
You have such a good taste I had to subscribe
@LgtTurtlez
For fucking real dude
@vanessaajohn
I’m not a remix person but this, this right here is nice
@RomuloLiv
this one is so good 🤩