Sea Anemone
Jets to Brazil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
in the way it sways
to the slow breeze
I lie spread out on the floor
looking at these things
and most of them are yours
and it's so nice
sitting very still
I could never fill
starfish with its arms out in a daze
staring at the stars
through an ocean haze
was I one you wished upon?
burned out like a lightbulb
when you turned me on
and it's so nice
sleeping here all alone
with my ashtray and
white courtesy telephone
now I'm making out the shapes
like the shower rod - can it take my weight?
I will tell you I am fine
I got some news, friend, feels like I'm dying
turtle on its back in the desert sea
and you look like a cool drink
just slightly out of reach
draw myself into the shell
waiting on a sign from god
or a nod from hell
and it's so nice
sitting very still
without those old shoes
I could never fill
no we're turning on the lights
it's the first day of my second life
take my name off of the lease
you can even keep the name it never suited me
The lyrics of the song “Sea Anemone” by Jets to Brazil evoke a beautiful imagery of sea animals and the wonder of the oceanic world. The curtain is described as a sea anemone which sways in a slow breeze, mesmerizing the singer who is lying on the floor gazing at different things, including some which belonged to someone else. The lyrics use starfish staring at the stars through an ocean haze as a metaphor for one of the singer’s wishes. The lyrics also suggest that the singer has been turned on like a lightbulb and is now burned out. In the final verse, the singer admits to feeling like they are dying, and has drawn themselves into a shell, waiting for a sign from God or a nod from Hell.
The song appears to be about the singer’s relationship with someone else, which appears to be over now. The lyrics suggest a sense of freedom and liberation from the relationship. By removing old shoes that the singer could never fill, they seem to be saying that they are happy not trying to live up to the other person’s expectations anymore. The decision to take the singer’s name off the lease and let the other person keep it also signifies the end of the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
the curtain's a sea anemone
The way the curtain sways reminds me of a sea anemone.
in the way it sways
The swaying of the curtain reminds me of a sea anemone.
to the slow breeze
The curtain sways in response to the slow breeze in the room.
I lie spread out on the floor
I am lying down on the floor, facing up.
looking at these things
I observe and take into account the surrounding objects.
and most of them are yours
Most of the objects belong to you.
and it's so nice
sitting very still
without those old shoes
I could never fill
It's pleasant to be sitting still and without the burden of someone else's expectation (represented by the shoes).
starfish with its arms out in a daze
The starfish is in a dazed state with its arms stretched out.
staring at the stars
through an ocean haze
was I one you wished upon?
In the midst of the sleepy starfish's gaze out into the ocean, did you ever wish upon me?
burned out like a lightbulb
when you turned me on
You used me up like a lightbulb that's been turned on for too long.
and it's so nice
sleeping here all alone
with my ashtray and
white courtesy telephone
It's pleasant to be sleeping alone with just your ashtray and a phone - white and courtesy in stark contrast to everything else.
now I'm making out the shapes
like the shower rod - can it take my weight?
My perception is heightened and I'm making out the details of things around me. I even question the reliability of the shower rod.
I will tell you I am fine
I got some news, friend, feels like I'm dying
I will tell you everything is okay, but in reality, I have news that makes me feel like I'm slowly dying.
turtle on its back in the desert sea
and you look like a cool drink
just slightly out of reach
I feel like a turtle stranded in the middle of the desert ocean, and you look like a refreshing drink - alluring but just beyond my reach.
draw myself into the shell
waiting on a sign from god
or a nod from hell
I retreat into myself and wait for divine or infernal intervention.
no we're turning on the lights
it's the first day of my second life
take my name off of the lease
you can even keep the name it never suited me
We're turning on the lights on this, the first day of my second life. You can remove my name from the legal document and use it as you please, it was never a good fit for me.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind