Dujardin started as a painter, working with dark subject matter and stark color schemes. He wanted to dive deeper into the concepts, adding another layer to the image. He decided to create musical soundtracks for his paintings to compliment and accentuate the emotions displayed. Releasing them under the name Uitgezonderd (Dutch for Except) he forged somber elegies about the mistakes of life and ways to overcome them. His first two releases were melancholy immersions of piano and electronic ambiance. He has always presented a dark yet somehow uplifting feeling that resonates deep within the listener. The songs make us look inside ourselves for the answers to our most troubling questions. His third album, Stervend Stil Leven, is an oasis for the mind; a way to inspire the world into changing things for the better advancement of all mankind.
What began as a minor addition to visual compositions evolved into a much more personal experience for Dujardin. The music took on a mind of its own, reaching the forefront of his creative endeavors. He abandoned the Uitgezonderd moniker and began releasing music under his own name. His first album since this evolution was This Will Be the Last, a deeply solemn compendium of songs about change and striving to move forward. He began using layers of guitars alongside electronic drones and poignant piano tracks. Lessons in Failure, his most recent release, is simpler in composition but still contains much wisdom about life and how to overcome the most distressing of obstacles.
J. Dujardin is an artist who is always evolving ideas and the way we view life. No matter how bleak his music makes the world seem, there is always that second layer that reveals to us just how beautiful everything can be if we continue to fight.
The Drowning
J. Dujardin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm Drowning
Can't see it plain sight
You feel it
Lost it in my mind
I know I don't see it
It took me some time
But I found it
I'm Drowning
Can't see it plain sight
You feel it
Lost it in my mind
I know I don't see it
It took me some time
But I found it
We thought it was gone
But it turns out that we had it
Looking back now
We would've been better without it
Tore apart our past and our futures it was nasty
Yelling screaming fighting
We thought we was so classy
Lost it in my mind
We was fake like plastic
Saw another sign so I must go catch it
So caught up in pain I'm gasping
All this life is pain and it always ends so tragic
I know that I told you this
But I miss you and I
Now that I feel lonely
I wish I could call you mine
If I ever acted out
You were there keep me in line
I want this so bad
From the bottom every time
Love so strong
That it breaks your heart like glass
Love has many ways
Making us regret our past
Feel like your're catching up
But you ended up in last
Last time that I killed
Ended up being a blast
Fuck all of my past
Forget the old me
He ain't coming back
Always looking for another way to prove I can cheat death
Momma all upset cuz I failed another class
Complains bout how I always scored 100's on the test
This world so corrupt
So I never should've landed here
If I told you what I wanted
It would end with you in tears
I'm not scared of death
I'm suicidal so i'm shifting gears
No one's know the real me
I've hidden for over a few years
Want all of the fame
And the money just a little bit
Dealing with being wanted so new
Not famil to it
I'll have some friends to help me handle it
Half of them snakes
Chop off their heads see how they handle it
Don't leave me behind
I'm Drowning
Can't see it plain sight
You feel it
Lost it in my mind
I know I don't see it
It took me some time
But I found it
Don't leave me behind
I'm Drowning
Can't see it plain sight
You feel it
Lost it in my mind
I know I don't see it
It took me some time
But I found it
Life all a big game
I ain't just winning
I am killing it
I've been dealing with pain and death
I've been healing it
Wait til I bring in the money
And I start spending it
I'll have what I want
New friends I guess it's been a minute
Trust the biggest lie
Break your heart it make you cry
Why you suffer
You should die
All these questions
Asking why
Keep it real
I keep it fly
Music making
Don't ask why
Hey A Boogie you the guy
Got that D T B 4 life
Don't leave me behind
I'm Drowning
Can't see it plain sight
You feel it
Lost it in my mind
I know I don't see it
It took me some time
But I found it
Don't leave me behind
I'm Drowning
Can't see it plain sight
You feel it
Lost it in my mind
I know I don't see it
It took me some time
But I found it
In J. Dujardin's song "The Drowning," the lyrics convey a sense of desperation and struggle. The singer pleads not to be left behind, stating that they feel like they are drowning and can't see the situation clearly. They admit to losing themselves in their own mind and taking time to find their way back. The song touches on the idea of realizing that something detrimental was present in their lives, causing them to reflect on the past and contemplate how things could have been better without it. The destructive nature of the relationship is emphasized with references to yelling, screaming, and fighting, and the realization that their previous relationship was superficial and fake. Despite this, the singer expresses missing the other person and wanting to call them theirs. The lyrics also delve into personal struggles, such as dealing with academic failures and contemplating suicide. There is a yearning for fame, money, and new friends, while also acknowledging the presence of betrayal and the need to cut off toxic relationships. The refrain repeats the idea of not being left behind and feeling lost but eventually finding a way.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't leave me behind
I don't want to be left alone or abandoned
I'm Drowning
I feel overwhelmed and struggling to cope
Can't see it plain sight
I am unable to perceive or understand it clearly
You feel it
You can sense or perceive it
Lost it in my mind
I have lost it or forgotten it within my thoughts
I know I don't see it
I am aware that I am unable to see or recognize it
It took me some time
It required a period of time or effort
But I found it
But I eventually discovered or recovered it
We thought it was gone
We believed it was no longer present or available
But it turns out that we had it
But it was actually still within our possession
Looking back now
Reflecting on the past
We would've been better without it
We would have been happier or more successful if we didn't have it
Tore apart our past and our futures it was nasty
It caused significant damage to our past and future, resulting in a negative and unpleasant situation
Yelling screaming fighting
Engaged in loud arguments and physical confrontations
We thought we was so classy
We believed ourselves to be sophisticated or elegant
We was fake like plastic
We were inauthentic or insincere
Saw another sign so I must go catch it
Encountered a new opportunity or indication and felt the need to pursue it
So caught up in pain I'm gasping
Feeling overwhelmed and struggling to breathe due to emotional pain
All this life is pain and it always ends so tragic
Life is filled with suffering and it consistently concludes in a sorrowful manner
I know that I told you this
I am aware that I have previously communicated this to you
But I miss you and I
However, I long for your presence and companionship
Now that I feel lonely
Now that I experience a sense of isolation and solitude
I wish I could call you mine
I desire to have a romantic relationship with you
If I ever acted out
If I ever misbehaved or behaved impulsively
You were there keep me in line
You were present to guide and discipline me
I want this so bad
I desire this intensely
From the bottom every time
Beginning from a position of disadvantage or hardship on each occasion
Love so strong
An intense and powerful love
That it breaks your heart like glass
To the extent that it causes deep emotional pain and vulnerability
Love has many ways
Love can manifest itself in various forms and actions
Making us regret our past
Causing us to feel remorseful about our previous actions or choices
Feel like your're catching up
Feeling as if you are making progress or gaining ground
But you ended up in last
But in the end, you found yourself in a position of disadvantage or failure
Last time that I killed
The previous time that I achieved great success or performed exceptionally well
Ended up being a blast
It turned out to be an extremely enjoyable or exciting experience
Fuck all of my past
Disregard or reject all of my previous experiences or actions
Forget the old me
Disregard or let go of my previous self or identity
He ain't coming back
The previous version of myself will not return
Always looking for another way to prove I can cheat death
Continuously searching for methods to defy mortality or avoid the inevitability of death
Momma all upset cuz I failed another class
My mother is upset because I did not pass another academic subject
Complains bout how I always scored 100's on the test
She complains about how I consistently achieved perfect scores on tests
This world so corrupt
The world is morally and ethically flawed
So I never should've landed here
So it was a mistake for me to end up in this place or situation
If I told you what I wanted
If I revealed my desires to you
It would end with you in tears
It would result in you feeling emotionally overwhelmed or upset
I'm not scared of death
I do not fear or dread death
I'm suicidal so i'm shifting gears
I have suicidal thoughts and I am metaphorically changing my approach or mindset
No one's know the real me
No one truly knows or understands who I am
I've hidden for over a few years
I have concealed or kept hidden for several years
Want all of the fame
I desire widespread recognition and popularity
And the money just a little bit
And just a small amount of money
Dealing with being wanted so new
Coping with the unfamiliar experience of being desired or sought after
Not famil to it
Not accustomed or familiar with it
I'll have some friends to help me handle it
I will have friends who will support and assist me in managing it
Half of them snakes
Half of them are untrustworthy or deceitful
Chop off their heads see how they handle it
Metaphorically eliminate them from my life and observe their ability to cope or respond
Life all a big game
Life is akin to a significant competition or challenge
I ain't just winning
I am not merely succeeding, but excelling
I am killing it
I am dominating or achieving great success
I've been dealing with pain and death
I have been coping with emotional suffering and loss
I've been healing it
I have been actively working to recover and find solace
Wait til I bring in the money
Wait until I earn a significant amount of money
And I start spending it
And I begin to use it for various purchases and experiences
I'll have what I want
I will obtain or acquire the things I desire
New friends I guess it's been a minute
Acquiring new friendships as it has been a significant amount of time since I last made friends
Trust the biggest lie
Believing in trust is the greatest falsehood or deception
Break your heart it make you cry
Causing immense emotional pain and bringing you to tears
Why you suffer
The reason you experience pain or hardship
You should die
You deserve to die or cease to exist
All these questions
Numerous uncertainties or inquiries
Asking why
Seeking answers or explanations for the unknown
Keep it real
Stay true to oneself and maintain authenticity
I keep it fly
I maintain a stylish and fashionable appearance
Music making
Engaging in the creation or production of music
Don't ask why
Do not question the motives or reasons
Hey A Boogie you the guy
Addressing A Boogie as the talented or influential individual
Got that D T B 4 life
Maintain a sense of loyalty and dedication to the D T B
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Julian Saunders
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind