Drowning
Hootie the Blowfish Lyrics
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To think about it, all right
Why is there a rebel flag hanging
From the state house walls
Tired of hearin' this s***
About heritage not hate
Time to make the world a better place
Well, no matter what we gotta live together
Just that you don't look like me
Tell me what do you see
When we pa** on the street
What do you wanna see
P.E.'s coming is all I gotta say
Wanna turn and run away
They're just telling you how they see it
Right or wrong they don't care
You wish that they would quit
Drowning in a sea of tears
Hatred trying to hide your fears
Living only for yourself
Hating everybody else
'Cause they don't look like you
Nancy singing it's a hard life
Wherever you go
About some fat racist living in Chicago
Trying to teach his kids to hate everyone
Well, tell me why is that something
You wanna teach your son
Why must we hate one another
When the people in the church
They tell me you're my brother
You don't walk like me, I said that
You don't talk like me, saying
Go back to Africa
I just don't understand
Drowning in a sea of tears
Hatred trying to hide your fears
Living only for yourself
Hating everybody else
'Cause they don't look like you
Don't look like you
Drowing
I'm trying to be someone
That he could look up to, but
When I walk down the street
Tell me what do you see
I'm a man, I'm a man, I'm a man
No I'm not like you
Why do you hate me so
I don't know
I don't know, I don't know
Hating everybody else
'Cause they don't look like you
Oh drowning
Hating everybody else
'Cause they don't look like you
Drowning
The Hootie & the Blowfish song "Drowning" is an emotional tribute to denouncing hatred and promoting unity among diverse groups. The song touches on themes of racism, prejudice, and discrimination. The lyrics urge listeners to consider why we hate one another and challenges the negativity that often arises from a lack of understanding between different groups of people. The song begins with the notion that people are too preoccupied with their own lives to think about the world outside, which alludes to the idea that many people are too absorbed in their own agendas to create change for the better. The lyrics also criticize the display of the rebel flag, which symbolizes the racist past of the South, as it hangs from the state house walls, reinforcing division.
Throughout the song, the lyrics emphasize that we are all human and that no one deserves to be treated with hatred for their race or ethnicity. The singer of the song doesn't understand why people can't get along with each other and live in harmony, regardless of their differences. The chorus of the song repeats the metaphor of drowning in a sea of tears and hate, which alludes to the idea that hatred can become so overwhelming that it can feel like drowning.
The song also references Public Enemy, a prominent rap group in the 90s who were known for their politically charged lyrics. The singer of the song recognizes that their music may be controversial, but they see the world from a unique perspective and have something important to say.
Line by Line Meaning
Trouble with the world is we're too busy
We are so distracted with our busy lives that we cannot focus on the problems facing our world
Why is there a rebel flag hanging From the state house walls
Questioning the presence of the Confederate flag in a government building
Tired of hearin' this s*** About heritage not hate
Fed up with the excuse that the Confederate flag represents heritage and not racism
Time to make the world a better place
It is imperative to take action and improve the current state of the world
Why must we hate one another
Expressing frustration and confusion about the reasons behind hatred between different groups of people
Well, no matter what we gotta live together
Regardless of differences, we must coexist with one another
Just that you don't look like me
Acknowledging that superficial differences are often the cause of hatred
Tell me what do you see When we pa** on the street
Asking what people think or feel when encountering others of a different race or appearance
What do you wanna see
Asking what people hope to see in terms of acceptance and understanding between different groups
P.E.'s coming is all I gotta say
Referring to the rap group Public Enemy and their message of social justice and equality
Wanna turn and run away
Feeling overwhelmed or uncomfortable with the message of social change
They're just telling you how they see it
Acknowledging that some people speak the truth even if it is uncomfortable or unpopular
Right or wrong they don't care
People who are passionate about social justice will continue to fight for what they believe in regardless of opposition or criticism
You wish that they would quit
Feeling uncomfortable with the message of social change and wishing it would stop
Drowning in a sea of tears
Feeling overwhelmed and consumed by sadness and despair
Hatred trying to hide your fears
Expressing that hatred towards others often stems from fear and insecurity
Living only for yourself
Focusing solely on one's own needs and desires without considering others or the greater good
Hating everybody else 'Cause they don't look like you
Expressing that hatred towards others is often based on superficial differences and lack of understanding
Nancy singing it's a hard life
Referencing a song about the struggles of life
Wherever you go About some fat racist living in Chicago
Bringing attention to racism in different areas of the country or world
Trying to teach his kids to hate everyone
Highlighting the damaging impact of teaching hate and intolerance to future generations
Well, tell me why is that something You wanna teach your son
Questioning the motives and thought process behind instilling hate in one's children
When the people in the church They tell me you're my brother
Referencing the idea of universal brotherhood and connection through religion
You don't walk like me, I said that You don't talk like me, saying Go back to Africa I just don't understand
Expressing frustration and disbelief at the basis for discrimination and hate towards others
I'm trying to be someone That he could look up to, but When I walk down the street Tell me what do you see
Expressing the desire to be a role model but feeling judged or discriminated against because of appearance
I'm a man, I'm a man, I'm a man No I'm not like you Why do you hate me so I don't know I don't know, I don't know
Challenging the reasons behind discrimination and hatred towards those who are different
Hating everybody else 'Cause they don't look like you
Reiterating the idea that hatred towards others is often based on superficial differences and a lack of understanding
Drowning
Emphasizing the overwhelming feeling of despair and hopelessness
Oh drowning
Reiterating the feeling of being overwhelmed and consumed by sadness and despair
Hating everybody else 'Cause they don't look like you
Once again emphasizing that hatred towards others often stems from ignorance and superficial differences
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DARIUS RUCKER, DEAN FELBER, JIM SONEFELD, MARK BRYAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind