Drifting
Linda Perry & 4 Non Blondes Lyrics


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What a wonderful hesitation
Who would bear to feel sorry for me
Dropped another pill just to calm me
Collapsed to my knees and fell fast into sleep

There I was drifting
Way out into the sunshine
Expecting to crash but I'm tied to a string

Look at me I'm a tangled puppet
I might be a mess but I'm sure can survive
Find myself awake counting sad days

One, two, three that's too many for me
Dropped another pill just to find me
Reached for my hand but it was already there

Then I started believin'
That I fell out of a tiny raindrop

That lost its way when I decided to roam
Chasing me was a hungry dweller
But I had escaped it by pretending to die

Come follow me you won't expect the illusion
You'll see it's my imagination
Hand me your eyes

I will put them in front of mine
You'll see a little better
You'll see a little better

What a wonderful destination
Where I am now
I can no longer see

Dropped another pill just to kill me
Collapsed to my knees and fell fast into sleep

There I was drifting
Way out into the sunshine
Expecting to crash but I'm tied to a string

Look at me I'm a tangled puppet




I might be a mess but I'm sure can survive
But I had escaped it by pretending to die

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Drifting" by Linda Perry & 4 Non Blondes delve deep into themes of mental struggle, dependence on substances, and the desire for escapism. The song opens with a sense of resignation and defeat, with the singer expressing a sense of hopelessness as they reach for another pill to calm themselves. The imagery of collapsing to their knees and falling fast into sleep reflects a sense of surrender to their internal battles and the desire to escape their current reality.


As the song progresses, the singer describes themselves as a tangled puppet, acknowledging their flaws and messiness but also expressing a belief in their ability to survive despite their struggles. The repetition of counting sad days and the reliance on pills to numb the pain further emphasizes the singer's struggle with their mental state.


The imagery of drifting into the sunshine, expecting to crash but being tied to a string, conveys a sense of being trapped in a cycle of self-destructive behavior and false hope. The mention of escaping a hungry dweller by pretending to die suggests a desire to evade the challenges and responsibilities of reality by retreating into a fantasy world.


The closing lines of the song paint a vivid picture of the singer's yearning for a different destination and the continued reliance on pills to numb their pain. The mention of pretending to die as a means of escape highlights the singer's desperation and the lengths they are willing to go to in order to cope with their struggles. Overall, the lyrics of "Drifting" offer a raw and introspective look into the complexities of mental health issues and the search for solace in the face of overwhelming challenges.


Line by Line Meaning

What a wonderful hesitation
Reflecting on a moment of uncertainty and doubt


Who would bear to feel sorry for me
Questioning if anyone would sympathize with me


Dropped another pill just to calm me
Taking medication to ease emotional pain


Collapsed to my knees and fell fast into sleep
Succumbing to tiredness and mental exhaustion


There I was drifting
Feeling lost and aimless


Way out into the sunshine
Venturing far away from darkness and despair


Expecting to crash but I'm tied to a string
Anticipating failure but feeling restrained by something unknown


Look at me I'm a tangled puppet
Feeling controlled and manipulated by external forces


I might be a mess but I'm sure can survive
Acknowledging personal struggles but believing in resilience


Find myself awake counting sad days
Reflecting on past struggles and moments of sorrow


One, two, three that's too many for me
Overwhelmed by the weight of negative experiences


Dropped another pill just to find me
Seeking solace and self-discovery through medication


Reached for my hand but it was already there
Realizing inner strength and self-reliance


Then I started believing
Finding hope and faith in overcoming challenges


That I fell out of a tiny raindrop
Perceiving oneself as a small part of a bigger world


That lost its way when I decided to roam
Straying from a predetermined path in search of something new


Chasing me was a hungry dweller
Feeling pursued by inner demons or negative thoughts


But I had escaped it by pretending to die
Finding temporary relief by avoiding painful feelings


Come follow me you won't expect the illusion
Inviting others to explore the complexities of one's mind


You'll see it's my imagination
Revealing the creative and complex nature of one's thoughts


Hand me your eyes
Asking for a different perspective or understanding


I will put them in front of mine
Promising to consider another viewpoint with honesty


You'll see a little better
Encouraging empathy and understanding through shared experiences


What a wonderful destination
Reflecting on a new chapter or phase in life


Where I am now
Acknowledging personal growth and change


I can no longer see
Feeling disoriented or unsure in a new situation


Dropped another pill just to kill me
Contemplating self-destructive habits or coping mechanisms


Collapsed to my knees and fell fast into sleep
Being overwhelmed by emotions and seeking escape




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LINDA PERRY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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