Drowning
English Beat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can you hear the accountants call?
Could you refuse another dollar?
Could you stop yourself from falling?
So in between the sleepless nights
You dream that you are winning fights
But then it happens, dreadful thing
You're drowning, you're drowning.
Buy a beach before next summer?
How do you feel in the morning?
If the light's an awful bother
I could always close the curtains.
Just close your eyes and count to ten
See if you still remember when
Your life seemed easy, you had friends
But that was different than that was then
You're drowning, you're drowning
Round and round and round
You're drowning
In a frenzy now
You're drowning
You want fe go in a de ocean, a so me say
I saw you drowning in slow motion, and now me learn
Far too late to make a commotion
Too late for you to show easy motion
A say you go down to the bottom
Say you can't reach the top
Get stuck on the bottom
Say you can't reach the top
Two days later say they find you 'pon the rocks
Say ha ha ha ha ha bad luck!
Eh so
Tell yourself until you're certain
Can you hear the accountants call?
You'll buy a beach before next summer
Swim away and leave it all.
So underwater deaf and blind
Under such pressures you might find
A secret right before the end
That makes you want to breathe again
You're drowning, you're drowning
Round and round and round
You're drowning
Inner frenzy now you're drowning
Round and round and round and round
You're drowning, drowning
The song "Drowning" by English Beat seems to be a commentary on the struggles and compromises that come with the pursuit of success and monetary gain. The lyrics suggest that the constant pressure to make money and succeed can lead to a feeling of drowning, with the waves representing the overwhelming stress and societal expectations. The lyrics also suggest that sometimes people will compromise their values and morals in order to achieve success, as represented by the line "Can you refuse another dollar?" The idea of drowning is also used as a metaphor for the feeling of being stuck or trapped, unable to escape the pressures of society and the need to constantly strive for more.
The second half of the song speaks to the idea that sometimes people will do anything to escape the feeling of drowning, including buying a beach or avoiding reality altogether by closing the curtains. The line "Just close your eyes and count to ten" suggests that people will often try to escape their problems by avoiding them or pretending they don't exist. However, the final lines of the song suggest that even when people try to escape, they can still find themselves drowning in their problems, with the inner frenzy representing the constant struggle to stay afloat.
Overall, "Drowning" seems to be a commentary on the pressures of society and the compromises people will make in order to be successful, as well as the feelings of being stuck and drowning under the weight of those expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Compromise around the corner
A difficult decision is imminent
Can you hear the accountants call?
Are you focused solely on finances and monetary gain?
Could you refuse another dollar?
Do you have the self-control to turn down more money?
Could you stop yourself from falling?
Can you resist the temptation that comes with wealth?
So in between the sleepless nights
During the restless moments in the middle of the night
You dream that you are winning fights
You imagine yourself successful in your battles
But then it happens, dreadful thing
But then tragedy strikes
A wave appears too big to swim
A challenge seems insurmountable
You're drowning, you're drowning.
You feel overwhelmed and consumed by the struggle
Buy a beach before next summer?
Are you planning to invest in property?
How do you feel in the morning?
Do you wake up refreshed or exhausted?
If the light's an awful bother
If the daylight is too much to handle
I could always close the curtains.
I could always shut out the world
Just close your eyes and count to ten
Take a moment to calm down and collect yourself
See if you still remember when
Reflect on a time when life was easier
Your life seemed easy, you had friends
When you had a simpler life with companions
But that was different than that was then
But circumstances have changed
You're drowning, you're drowning
You're still struggling and overwhelmed
Round and round and round
The struggle continues without end
You're drowning
You're still drowning
In a frenzy now
The struggle has turned to panic
You want fe go in a de ocean, a so me say
You want to go to the ocean, this is what I say
I saw you drowning in slow motion, and now me learn
I witnessed your struggle and now I understand
Far too late to make a commotion
It's too late to cause a stir
Too late for you to show easy motion
Too late for you to extricate yourself with ease
A say you go down to the bottom
I say you sink to the depths
Say you can't reach the top
And you're unable to resurface
Get stuck on the bottom
Becoming entrenched in your struggles
Two days later say they find you 'pon the rocks
They later discover you washed up on the shore
Say ha ha ha ha ha bad luck!
They mockingly attribute your suffering to bad luck
Eh so
That's how it is
Tell yourself until you're certain
Convince yourself until you're sure
Can you hear the accountants call?
Are you overly preoccupied with finances?
You'll buy a beach before next summer
You plan on investing in property soon
Swim away and leave it all.
You hope to escape your struggles and start anew
So underwater deaf and blind
Submerged and unable to perceive the world around you
Under such pressures you might find
In the midst of so much stress you could discover
A secret right before the end
A revelation before the conclusion
That makes you want to breathe again
Which gives you the desire to carry on
You're drowning, you're drowning
Despite everything, you're still struggling
Round and round and round
In circles without resolution
You're drowning
You're still drowning
Inner frenzy now you're drowning
You're in the midst of a panicked struggle
Round and round and round and round
The cycle continues without end
You're drowning, drowning
You're still drowning
Lyrics ยฉ Peermusic Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROGER CHARLERY, ANDY COX, DAVID STEELE, EVERETT MORTON, DAVID FREDERICK WAKELING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind