Gruntz was born in Bern, raised in Biel and Basel and now lives in Zurich. He gained a national audience through his breakthrough hit Heart Keeps Dancing. In 2014 Gruntz' fourth LP Belvedere was released.
Song To The Sea
James Gruntz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So I can dip my toes, and remember what it's like.
Just feeling free and having all the time I need,
this is why I sing the song to the sea
Beg you raise your water to the feet of mine
so I can dip my toes, remember what it's like
just feeling free and having all the time I need
I think of salt and sun and slightly blowing winds
I think of how I've cursed those rotten old love things
just riding on nobody tells me where to be
this is why I sing the song
this is why I sing the song
this is why I sing the song to the sea
The dancing dunes are doing dishes with my brain
the disco drums are driving discords down to drain
I remain a bit then go on a bit, the tide comes and goes as I breath
this is why I sing the song
this is why I sing the song
this is why I sing the song to the sea
Been waiting all my life for something that's going to stay
been waiting all my life for something that won't go away
I thought everything's dissolving, now found something that is going to be
this is why I sing the song
this is why I sing the song
this is why I sing the song to the sea
Now I'm back to grey town
the city lights arise
they're burning my soul down
I slowly recognize
that king prawns on concrete
ain't something that I need
I never felt at ease
with all this city heat
this is why I sing the song
this is why I sing the song
this is why I sing the song to the sea
The lyrics of James Gruntz's "Song to the Sea" evoke a strong sense of longing for a place of freedom and peace, that one can only seem to find in the company of nature. The song expresses the desire to escape from the mundane struggles of life, and to return to a simpler state of being. The singer asks for the sea to rise to their feet so they can remember what it's like to feel free, with no constraints and all the time in the world to simply exist. The sea is portrayed as a place of healing and spiritual renewal, where one can reconnect with themselves and the world around them.
While the city is depicted as a place of chaos and artificiality, the sea represents a sense of stability and permanence that the singer has been searching for their entire life. The lyrics suggest that the sea offers a sense of belonging that is lacking in the busy streets and buildings of the city. The beauty of the sea's natural elements, such as the salt and sun, are contrasted with the darker aspects of human relationships, such as the "rotten old love things" that have caused the singer pain. Ultimately, the song suggests that the sea represents a kind of homecoming, a place where the singer can feel truly comfortable and at peace with themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
I beg you raise your water to the feet tonight.
I plead with the sea to rise up to my feet so I can feel the water and reminisce about the freedom and time I once had.
So I can dip my toes, and remember what it's like.
With the sea at my feet, I long to dip my toes into it and rediscover the feeling of freedom and joy it once gave me.
Just feeling free and having all the time I need,
Being able to let go of my worries and obligations and just enjoy the freedom and time that the sea brings is what I truly crave.
this is why I sing the song to the sea
The immense appreciation and yearning for the freedom and time that the sea represents is what drives me to sing this song to it.
I think of salt and sun and slightly blowing winds
I reminisce about the beautiful combination of salty sea breeze, the warmth of the sun, and the gentle breeze that the sea brings.
I think of how I've cursed those rotten old love things
I reflect back on times where I may have cursed love, and how the sea has always been a constant and reliable source of peace and joy for me.
just riding on nobody tells me where to be
Being able to simply be and let go, without the pressure of having to be somewhere or do something is a luxury that the sea provides me.
The dancing dunes are doing dishes with my brain
The beauty and movement of the sand dunes stay in my mind and allow me to escape my complex thoughts and feel free.
the disco drums are driving discords down to drain
Just like the drums in a disco, the sound of the sea absorbs the disharmony in my mind and takes it away.
I remain a bit then go on a bit, the tide comes and goes as I breath
I stay in the moment with the sea, then I move on with my life, but the constant ebb and flow of the tides remain as a symbol of new beginnings and fresh starts.
Been waiting all my life for something that's going to stay
Throughout my life, I have searched for something to hold onto, something that will never leave me.
been waiting all my life for something that won't go away
I found that constant source of joy and peace in the sea, something that will never leave me no matter what.
I thought everything's dissolving, now found something that is going to be
Despite feeling like everything in life is temporary and fleeting, I found something everlasting and meaningful in the sea.
Now I'm back to grey town
Returning back to reality, leaving the sea and its freedom behind me.
the city lights arise
The bright and vibrant city-life arises as I transition back into life away from the sea.
they're burning my soul down
The urban life and its hustle and bustle are overwhelming and exhausting, and draining away my sense of inner peace.
I slowly recognize
As I adjust to the city, I begin to realize how much the sea means to me.
that king prawns on concrete
The concrete jungle of the city and its luxuries, such as king prawns, no longer hold the same meaning to me as the sea.
ain't something that I need
I realize that the city life and its luxuries no longer fulfill me and I don't need them as much as I need the freedom and peace that the sea provides.
I never felt at ease
The city life has always made me uneasy, and I yearn to go back to the freedom and simplicity of the sea.
with all this city heat
The heat and stress of the city life become symbolic of the struggles and pressures of my daily life.
Contributed by Grace E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Silvia M.
She is calm,
Floating in the harbor,
She is strong;
Fashioned from steel.
She sets off, lighting up the ocean,
Captain at her wheel.
She knows not,
The coming storm,
Those on board,
Will not be warned.
She’s a dream, blazing through,
Glowing true.
I remember her tragic plight,
As do you.
Angèle Thijs
Hi guys. This is really great!! Love your sound. I'm sure, you gonna be stars : )) Greetings Angèle (ngjazz)
tutifruty13
Wow, its amazing, love it 3
JogiBass
Sehr gut, Jungs! Wirklich schöner Song, sehr anmächelig gespielt und cool gesungen. Postpop, aha, einmal drüber schlafen, gut. Ich finds jedenfalls äusserst erfrischend. Greetz, Jogi PS: Maxime ist ein Foto?
Anais Leyva
Wow el video te quedo super bien me encanto!!! :) para mi es mucho mejor que la de Dj Antoine..
Silvia M.
She is calm,
Floating in the harbor,
She is strong;
Fashioned from steel.
She sets off, lighting up the ocean,
Captain at her wheel.
She knows not,
The coming storm,
Those on board,
Will not be warned.
She’s a dream, blazing through,
Glowing true.
I remember her tragic plight,
As do you.
B. Levine
heard this song in Stradivarius and got stuck in my head!!!! Glad I found it! <3
Idah Sanderson
It's so awsome and I wonder why it hasn't more views than THIS! ;O
christ3004
any one have the UKULELE CHORDS for this song?? I would kill for them!!
Gabriel Chica Fernández
Awesome performing in Winterthur!! Congratulations
ThePHXch
awesome x3 i saw you guys on mtv and i liked it..lol