Floating
Howie Beck Lyrics
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You couldn't see the land so you gave in
So you gave in
You dropped your head below until there was no way to swim
You couldn't see the waves and how they pulled you in
You couldn't see the anger that would come from this
Motionless they found you after dawn
Through all those days
No one ought to think that you were barely holding on
You couldn't see the waves and how they pulled you in
You couldn't see the anger that would come from this
Hey now what you've done
All of those days couldn't be so wrong
Should the years never come
You couldn't see the waves and how they pulled you in
You couldn't see through darkness that would never end
Floating was the only chance you'd ever miss
You couldn't see the anger that would come from this
The lyrics to Howie Beck's song "Floating" are evocative and poignant. The opening line, "Floating along," sets the tone for the entire song, which speaks to the feeling of drifting through life with no real sense of direction or purpose. The image of being adrift at sea is a powerful metaphor for the sense of being lost or disconnected from the world.
The second line, "You couldn't see the land so you gave in," suggests that the singer has given up hope of finding a way back to solid ground. This could be interpreted in a number of ways, but it could be seen as a metaphor for depression or other mental health struggles. The line "You dropped your head below until there was no way to swim" reinforces the sense of hopelessness and despair.
The chorus repeats the lines "You couldn't see the waves and how they pulled you in / You couldn't see the anger that would come from this." This could be interpreted as a warning against ignoring one's problems or emotional struggles, as they can ultimately lead to negative consequences.
The final stanza includes the lines "Floating was the only chance you'd ever miss / You couldn't see the anger that would come from this," which suggest that choosing to float through life rather than actively engaging with it can lead to missed opportunities and unaddressed emotions that may eventually come back to haunt you.
Overall, the song's lyrics paint a vivid picture of what it feels like to drift through life without a clear sense of purpose or direction, and the potential consequences of failing to confront one's inner demons.
Line by Line Meaning
Floating along
Drifting aimlessly without any clear direction
You couldn't see the land so you gave in
Feeling lost and helpless without any hope of finding direction
So you gave in
Surrendering to the situation and losing all hope
You dropped your head below until there was no way to swim
Being too overwhelmed to keep fighting the situation and giving up
You couldn't see the waves and how they pulled you in
Being unaware of the dangers of the situation and getting caught up in it
You couldn't see the anger that would come from this
Not realizing the consequences of the situation and the emotions it may bring
Motionless they found you after dawn
Being stuck in a hopeless situation without any movement or progress
Through all those days
Days filled with a sense of hopelessness and despair
No one ought to think that you were barely holding on
Appearing to be completely overwhelmed and defeated to everyone else
Hey now what you've done
Realizing the consequences of giving up and being stuck in the situation
All of those days couldn't be so wrong
Feeling that the time spent in the situation must have some meaning or purpose
Should the years never come
Wondering if there will ever be a way out of the situation
Floating was the only chance you'd ever miss
Not realizing that by giving up and drifting in the situation, the chance for growth and progress is lost
You couldn't see the anger that would come from this
Not realizing the emotions that come with giving up and losing hope
Contributed by Benjamin K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.