Ocean
Joan Armatrading Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've got to keep on keepin' on
I just want to be beside you
Gotta do the best I can
Even though you made it plain
You don't believe in love
I cant let you go

Come on baby can't you see
All the need in me
Like the ocean speaks to the naked man
The rhythm of your heart is like a sonnet
Pure and sweet
How you haunt my memory

Believe me baby
In this brilliant world you're the best
You're like a porcelain charm
A perfumed smile
A teenage blush
You're like champagne roses

Come on baby can't you see
All the need in me
Like the ocean speaks to the naked man

I've got to keep on keeping on
How can I live without you
I've got to make you understand
Each species has a mate
And fate says you'll be mine
I won't let you down

Come on baby can't you see
All the need in me




Like the ocean speaks to the naked man
The rhythm of your heart is like a sonnet
Pure and sweet
How you haunt my memory

I believe in angels
You leave me no alternative
You're like a butterfly
A gospel choir
A sun kissed sky
You're like sensual velvet

Believe me baby
In this brilliant world you're the best
You're like a porcelain charm
A perfumed smile
A teenage blush
You're like sunshine roses
Come on baby can't you see
All the need in me
Like the ocean speaks to the naked man

Overall Meaning

The song "Ocean" by Joan Armatrading is a love song that expresses the singer's deep feelings for a lover whom she believes is meant to be with her. The song is full of allusions and metaphors that are rich in symbolism, making it a beautiful and poignant piece of music. The singer expresses that she wants to be beside the person that she loves, and though they don't believe in love, she cannot let them go. The ocean is used as a metaphor for the depth of the singer's love, and the rhythm of her lover's heart is compared to a sonnet, pure and sweet.


The singer goes on to describe her lover in various ways and uses comparisons to nature, music and beauty. She describes her lover as a porcelain charm, a butterfly, and sensual velvet, among other metaphors. She believes that her lover is the best thing in this brilliant world, and she cannot imagine living without them. She says that fate has determined that they are meant to be together, and she won't let them down. The song ends with the repeated phrase, "Like the ocean speaks to the naked man," which emphasizes the depth and power of the singer's feelings.


Line by Line Meaning

I've got to keep on keepin' on
I need to persist and continue despite the challenges


I just want to be beside you
I desire to be with you at all times


Gotta do the best I can
I need to give my all, regardless of the obstacles


Even though you made it plain
Despite the fact you have already expressed


You don't believe in love
You do not have faith in the existence of love


I cant let you go
I'm unable to release you from my heart


Come on baby can't you see
I'm asking you to recognize and understand


All the need in me
The yearning I have inside of me


Like the ocean speaks to the naked man
The force of my affection speaks to your heart


The rhythm of your heart is like a sonnet
Your heart's beat is like a musical poem


Pure and sweet
It is pristine and delicate


How you haunt my memory
You linger in my mind and thoughts


Believe me baby
Trust that what I say is true


In this brilliant world you're the best
You are the finest in a world full of greatness


You're like a porcelain charm
You are like a beautiful figurine


A perfumed smile
Your smile carries a sweet scent


A teenage blush
Your blush is youthful and innocent


You're like champagne roses
You are like luxurious and classy roses


I've got to keep on keeping on
I must persist and not give up


How can I live without you
I cannot imagine life without you in it


I've got to make you understand
I need to help you see and comprehend


Each species has a mate
Every form of life has a partner they are meant to be with


And fate says you'll be mine
Destiny dictates that you and I are meant to be together


I won't let you down
I pledge to not disappoint you


I believe in angels
I have faith in heavenly beings


You leave me no alternative
You give me no other choices


You're like a butterfly
You are like a delicate and enchanting butterfly


A gospel choir
You resemble a beautiful chorus of singers


A sun kissed sky
You are radiant and lovely like a sunset sky


You're like sensual velvet
You remind me of the smooth and soft texture of velvet


You're like sunshine roses
You are as bright and beautiful as a sunny rose




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOAN ANITA BARBARA ARMATRADING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

John Benn

WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From a mad keen 74yo Aussie fan.

Patrick Koreman

I am 'only' 52 years old but I absolutely do share my senior's enthousiasm .....

chris wainwright

Brilliant artist

emily wheeler

beautiful song

Nadav Halali

painfully brilliant and underappreciated

Rui Barroso

I completely agree. Sometimes i think only mediocrity prevales, and it´s a shame.

More Versions