Wattershed
Foo Fighters Lyrics


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I stick it to the mailman
I'm pinned against a pot plant
I'm sick of all the sun-tan
Oily with the Ray-Ban

Take that to the bank and call it a check
Masked without a weapon
I'm skinny as a spit pan
Dealing with the shit plan
Playing with my bad hand
Just another rock band

Take that to the man and call it a check
Trapped within a contract

Hey there boy, while you were catching the black widow
The rest of us were watching Melrose

I wanna swim in a watershed
I wanna listen to Flowerhead
I lost a gallon and still bled
I keep on thinking I get ahead

Pissed at all the disc jam
Pissed about the five ham
Pissed about the green state
I miss it, and I can't wait

Take that to the man and call it a check
Trapped within a contract

Hey man, can't you tell it's still a problem?
See you at devil's tower

I wanna swim in a watershed
I wanna listen to the Flowerhead
I lost a gallon, I still bled
I keep on thinking I get ahead

Pissed at all the disc jam
Pissed about the five ham




Pissed about the green state
I miss it and I can't wait

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Foo Fighters’ “Wattershed” may seem initially enigmatic, peppered with references to seemingly unrelated subjects. However, digging a little deeper reveals a unifying theme of frustration and unfulfilled desires.


The first verse paints a picture of the singer feeling trapped and suffocated, perhaps by social conventions represented by the mailman and the Ray-Bans. The phrase “take that to the bank and call it a check” is an expression of certainty, but it can also be interpreted as a criticism of commercialism and shallow materialism. The second verse suggests a more general disillusionment with life, represented by the metaphor of “playing with my bad hand.” The phrase “trapped within a contract” may be a nod to the band’s own struggles with the music industry.


The repeated refrain of “I wanna swim in a watershed” and “I wanna listen to Flowerhead” can be seen as a metaphor for a longing for a simpler and more authentic existence. The references to disc jam, five ham, and green state seem deliberately vague, perhaps suggesting a sense of alienation from trivial mainstream culture. The final lines of the song are bittersweet, admitting to a sense of missing something that can never be regained.


Overall, “Wattershed” can be read as a battle cry of sorts, railing against the constraints and disillusionment of modern life and expressing a desire for something more genuine and fulfilling.


Line by Line Meaning

I stick it to the mailman
I am acting out in ways that are not productive, potentially even hostile, towards people who are just doing their jobs.


I'm pinned against a pot plant
I feel trapped and stationary, unable to move or progress.


I'm sick of all the sun-tan
I am tired of the superficial expectations of society, particularly in regards to appearance and image.


Oily with the Ray-Ban
I am dissatisfied with the consumer culture that places value on material possessions and status symbols.


Take that to the bank and call it a check
This statement should be taken as a fact and accepted without question.


Masked without a weapon
I feel vulnerable and exposed without any means to protect myself or defend my beliefs.


I'm skinny as a spit pan
I feel weak and insignificant.


Dealing with the shit plan
I am struggling to cope with the negative aspects of my life and feel stuck in a difficult situation.


Playing with my bad hand
I am trying to make the best of a difficult situation, despite limited resources and unfavorable circumstances.


Just another rock band
I feel unimportant and ordinary in the face of a world that places little value on individuality or creativity.


Take that to the man and call it a check
This statement should be accepted as true and not questioned, even if it is critical of those in power.


Trapped within a contract
I am bound by obligations and limitations that prevent me from expressing myself or achieving my goals.


Hey there boy, while you were catching the black widow
This line is likely a sarcastic insult about someone being preoccupied with something trivial instead of focusing on what is truly important.


The rest of us were watching Melrose
This line implies that the singer and others were observing and taking in more meaningful experiences than the person mentioned in the previous line.


I wanna swim in a watershed
The singer desires to engage with nature and experience its transformative power.


I wanna listen to Flowerhead
The artist desires to immerse themselves in art and explore its emotional and expressive potential.


I lost a gallon and still bled
The artist has experienced significant loss or hardship, but continues to persevere in the face of adversity.


I keep on thinking I get ahead
The singer continues to strive for success and progress, despite repeated setbacks and obstacles.


Pissed at all the disc jam
The singer is frustrated with societal expectations and norms, particularly in regards to popular culture and entertainment.


Pissed about the five ham
The artist is dissatisfied with the way things are being run, possibly in regards to politics or bureaucracy.


Pissed about the green state
The artist is unhappy with society at large and its lack of progress or concern for the environment.


I miss it, and I can't wait
The artist longs for a time or place where things were better, and is eager to return to that state of being.


Hey man, can't you tell it's still a problem?
The singer is frustrated that others are not recognizing or addressing a recurring issue that is causing them distress.


See you at devil's tower
This line is likely meant sarcastically or ironically, as Devil's Tower is a remote and isolated location that is not typically associated with social gatherings or events.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: David Grohl

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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