"Sullen Girl" explores themes of isolation, loss and reclaiming one's ident… Read Full Bio ↴"Sullen Girl" explores themes of isolation, loss and reclaiming one's identity.

In the first verse, the singer expresses a sense of aimlessness and not knowing how to handle her emotions. The repetition of "All day and all night, I wander the halls along the walls" emphasizes a feeling of being trapped within her own thoughts and unable to find direction. She recognizes her need for "fuel to take flight", suggesting a desire for something that will give her the strength and motivation to break free from her current state.

The chorus "And there's too much going on, but it's calm under the waves, in the blue of my oblivion" juxtaposes the chaos of the external world with the peace she finds within herself. The imagery of being underwater, under the waves, represents a retreat into solitude, where she finds solace. It is in this state of oblivion that she feels calm and protected.

The second verse explores the contrast between the singer's past and present self. She describes herself as a "sullen girl", a label others have given her, but asserts that they do not truly know her. She reveals that she used to be free and content, sailing the deep and tranquil sea. However, an unnamed person, symbolized by the line "he washed me 'shore", has taken away her happiness and left her feeling empty and incomplete.

The repetition of the chorus reinforces the idea of seeking refuge beneath the waves of her own thoughts and emotions. The blue of oblivion represents a place of stillness and tranquility, a means of escape from the overwhelming chaos of the world.

Overall, "Sullen Girl" reflects on the struggle to maintain a sense of self and inner calm in the face of loss and external pressures. It highlights the journey of reclaiming one's identity and finding solace within oneself, even in the midst of turmoil.

Sullen Girl
Fiona Apple Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Days like this, I don't know what to do with myself
All day and all night
I wander the halls along the walls
And under my breath I say to myself
"I need fuel to take flight"

And there's too much going on
But it's calm under the waves

In the blue of my oblivion
Under the waves
In the blue of my oblivion

Is that why they call me a sullen girl, sullen girl
They don't know I used to sail the deep and tranquil sea
But he washed me 'shore
And he took my pearl
And left an empty shell of me

And there's too much going on
But it's calm under the waves
In the blue of my oblivion
Under the waves
In the blue of my oblivion
Under the waves
In the blue of my oblivion

It's calm under the waves
In the blue of my oblivion

Overall Meaning

Fiona Apple's "Sullen Girl" is a song that explores themes of isolation, vulnerability, and reconciliation. The opening verse describes the singer's sense of aimlessness and confusion when dealing with the overwhelming wave of emotions that come with feeling lost and alone. The phrase "I need fuel to take flight" speaks to the singer's desire to move on and take control of her life. She understands that she needs to find a way to channel her emotions in a positive direction but lacks the inspiration to do so.

The chorus of the song features the phrase "sullen girl" repeated over and over again. The term "sullen" is a negative term that implies a bad attitude or lack of enthusiasm. The singer of the song is aware of how the world views her, but she knows that there is more to her than meets the eye. The lines "They don't know I used to sail the deep and tranquil sea. But he washed me ashore, And he took my pearl" reveal that at one point in her life, the singer was a different person, someone who felt free and unbound. However, something or someone caused her to lose her sense of integrity and purpose. The fact that she refers to her past self in the third person shows that she has lost touch with that version of herself.

The final verse of the song repeats the lines "And there's too much going on. But it's calm under the waves. In the blue of my oblivion." These lines represent the singer's understanding that even when everything is chaotic and confusing, there is always a sense of tranquility and calmness in her subconscious. The term "blue of my oblivion" is a metaphor for the deep, blue sea that lies beneath the surface of her thoughts. The song emphasizes that while the singer may seem sullen and disconnected from the world, there is always more to her story than meets the eye.

Line by Line Meaning

Days like this, I don't know what to do with myself
I'm lost and unsure of my purpose

All day and all night
I'm constantly feeling this way

I wander the halls along the walls
I'm aimlessly moving through life

And under my breath I say to myself
I can't express these feelings to others

"I need fuel to take flight"
I need motivation to get out of this state

And there's too much going on
The world overwhelms me

But it's calm under the waves
I find peace in solitude

In the blue of my oblivion
In the depths of my mind

Is that why they call me a sullen girl, sullen girl
Others see and label me as gloomy

They don't know I used to sail the deep and tranquil sea
I had a past in which I was content

But he washed me 'shore
Someone ruined that happiness