FreeFall
Laurie Anderson Lyrics


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You're out on the ocean and you get pulled down
Freefall to the bottom
Like when you're drowning or falling asleep
You get turned around
And when you think you're swimming to the surface
You're swimming straight down.
Down to the bottom. All the way to the bottom.
Secret codes and cryptograms
I'm lost in your words I'm swimming.
We're going down to the bottom. All the way to the bottom.
Rapture of the deep.

I got your letter. I couldn't read it. It was a cryptogram.
Did it say Take me with you or Take me as I am?
We're going down to the bottom.
All the way to the bottom. We get turned around.
There is another world spinning inside of this one.

I remember where I came from
There were tropical breezes and a wide open sea
I remember my childhood
I remember being free.

Down to the bottom.
All the way to the bottom. We get turned around.
There is another world inside of this one.
Rapture of the deep.





We're going down to the bottom.
There is another world spinning inside of this one.

Overall Meaning

Laurie Anderson's song "Freefall" is a contemplative piece that explores the sensation of being pulled down or drowning, and the idea of being lost in code or language. The song begins with the description of being out on the ocean and getting pulled down, freefalling to the bottom. The feeling of being turned around and swimming to the surface, only to find oneself going further down is evoked. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the struggles of life, where one can sometimes feel like they are making progress, only to find themselves being pulled back even further.


As the song progresses, cryptograms and secret codes are introduced. The reference to being lost in language could be seen as a commentary on the power of words to obscure or obfuscate meaning. The lyrics "I got your letter. I couldn't read it. It was a cryptogram. Did it say Take me with you or Take me as I am?" suggest a feeling of disconnection from the world and difficulty in understanding communication. The imagery of being pulled down is again referenced, as if the singer is diving deeper into mystery and confusion.


Towards the end of the song, the idea of another world spinning inside this one is introduced. This could be interpreted as a reference to the idea that there is more to life than what meets the eye, and that deeper meaning can be found by delving into the unknown. The lyrics "There is another world inside of this one. Rapture of the deep" suggest that while the journey may be difficult, there is something profound and transformative to be found in exploring the depths.


Line by Line Meaning

You're out on the ocean and you get pulled down
You are in the middle of the ocean and something forces you underwater.


Freefall to the bottom
Falling towards the ocean floor without any control.


Like when you're drowning or falling asleep
The feeling of losing control, whether being pulled under water or falling asleep.


You get turned around
Losing all sense of direction and not knowing which way is up or down.


And when you think you're swimming to the surface
Believing you are heading towards the top of the water.


You're swimming straight down.
But instead, you are unknowingly diving towards the ocean floor.


Down to the bottom. All the way to the bottom.
Falling completely to the bottom of the ocean floor without any control.


Secret codes and cryptograms
Messages that are meant to be deciphered and have hidden meanings.


I'm lost in your words I'm swimming.
Feeling wrapped up in someone's language or message that is causing confusion.


We're going down to the bottom. All the way to the bottom.
Continuing to fall towards the ocean floor without any sense of direction.


Rapture of the deep.
Enjoying the feeling of being lost or overwhelmed by the vastness of the ocean.


I got your letter. I couldn't read it. It was a cryptogram.
Receiving a message that is unclear or difficult to understand due to hidden meanings.


Did it say Take me with you or Take me as I am?
Wondering what the message is conveying, such as an invitation or an acceptance of oneself.


We're going down to the bottom. All the way to the bottom. We get turned around.
Continuing to fall towards the ocean floor without control and losing direction.


There is another world spinning inside of this one.
Feeling as though there is a hidden or deeper world, beneath the surface of the one in which we live.


I remember where I came from
Thinking back to where one started their journey or life.


There were tropical breezes and a wide open sea
Recalling an idyllic childhood, feeling free and experiencing nature.


I remember my childhood
Reflecting on one's early years and experiences.


Down to the bottom. All the way to the bottom. We get turned around.
Continuing to fall towards the ocean floor without any sense of direction.


Rapture of the deep.
Enjoying the feeling of being lost or overwhelmed by the vastness of the ocean.


We're going down to the bottom.
Continuing to descend towards the ocean floor.


There is another world spinning inside of this one.
Feeling as though there is a hidden or deeper world, beneath the surface of the one in which we live.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: WALTER AFANASIEFF, CLARK ANDERSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

hortense234

Laurie Anderson is one of the underappreciated artists who have had untold effects... too many people don't know her work, but have experienced the effects of it.

Petra Galijan

This song reminds me of some dark memories, still I love how deep it is...

Cotictimmy

She is excellent - I recently heard Big Science for the first time. I'm hooked.

d-AU-d

On which platform if YouTube where and how I'm trying so hard?

Cotictimmy

@d-AU-d I'm afraid I'm not understanding your question - could you clarify it?

Pier Saintbull

Meravigliosa... ... I remember where I came from There were tropical breezes and a wide open sea I remember my childhood I remember being free. Down to the bottom. All the way to the bottom. We get turned around. There is another world inside of this one. Rapture of the deep. We're going down to the bottom. There is another world spinning inside of this one.

Sergy Volodimirov

Laurie The Best Of Gratest Perfomance Musician Of Our Epoque.Beautiful ballance&sense composition

dementiapraecoz

BRIGHT RED, what a great album.

Vitina Portoghese

Sempre e ancora eccellente!

Simon Eric

- Laurie Anderson makes music in a manner that noone else does... strange sorts of talking blues on synths background wall of sound

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