In the opening lines, Lorde reminisces about her father's childhood experiences and draws a parallel to her own, emphasizing the timeless nature of their shared connection to the ocean. This suggests a generational link and an appreciation for the cyclical nature of life.
The imagery continues in the first verse, where Lorde uses the metaphor of sliding a knife under the skin to symbolize a sense of gratitude and reverence for the natural world. This reverence extends to "all the living things under the sun", highlighting Lorde's respect and appreciation for the interconnectedness of life.
In the second verse, Lorde addresses her younger brother, viewing him as an innocent and ethereal figure. She describes his silver chain levitating as he kickflips, signifying a sense of youthful freedom and joy. She acknowledges both his and her own fears and assures him that everything will be revealed in time, suggesting that personal growth and understanding come with age and experience.
The song then shifts to a more introspective tone. Lorde highlights the beauty of the natural environment, specifically mentioning the rays in the bay and the sounds of waves and cicadas. This imagery reflects a profound connection with nature and a sense of empowerment. Lorde declares her ability to "make anything real" and asserts her control over her own reality, embracing a positive, optimistic outlook.
In verse four, Lorde reflects on the future and the possibility of having a daughter. She contemplates the traits and qualities that may be passed down through generations, such as physical attributes and personality traits. This introspective moment suggests a concern for continuity and the potential influence of her own experiences on future generations.
Verse five delves deeper into the idea of passing down traits and experiences. Lorde wonders if her hypothetical daughter would share her love for contemplation and star-gazing. This highlights the connection between mothers and daughters and the potential for shared experiences and perspectives.
The refrain serves as a moment of self-empowerment. Lorde declares her newfound power, which she gains by simply breathing and tuning in. This suggests a mindfulness practice or a heightened awareness of oneself and the world around them. The repetition of this refrain emphasizes the importance of self-care, introspection, and finding inner strength.
The outro brings together themes of self-discovery and the passage of time. Lorde expresses her ongoing quest for enlightenment, acknowledging that it is a continuous process that occurs gradually over the years. She alludes to building a pyre on the beach and taking off her robes, symbolizing a shedding of old ways and stepping into a more confident, authentic self.
Overall, "Oceanic Feeling" explores the interconnectedness of human existence with nature, the passing of time, personal growth, and the empowerment that comes from self-reflection and introspection.
Oceanic Feeling
Lorde Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We could jump Bulli
When I hit that water
When it holds me
I think about my father
Doing the same thing
When he was a boy
When he was a boy
It's a blue day
We could go fishing
You'll catch the big one
Sliding the knife under the skin
Grateful for this offering
And all the living things
Under the sun
Under the sun
Little brother
I think you're an angel
See your silver chain levitate
When you're kick-flipping
Baby boy, you're super cool
I know you're scared
So was I
But all will be revealed in time (time, time)
Oh look, the rays are in the bay now
Can you hear the waves and the cicadas all around?
I can make anything real
Brain so hot, it's a summer body
Every day is blue and never cloudy
Don't look down
I can make anything real
In the future
If I have a daughter
Will she have my waist or my widow's peak?
My dreamer's disposition or my wicked streak?
Will she split a tab with her lover, laugh at the stars
Like her mother when she was a girl?
When she was a girl
Now the cherry-black lipstick's gathering dust in a drawer
I don't need her anymore
'Cause I got this power
Just had to breathe out and tune in
Just had to breathe out and tune in
I just had to breathe, and tune in
I just had to breathe, and tune in
Just had to breathe
Oh, was enlightenment found? No, but I'm trying
Taking it one year at a time
Oh-oh, can you hear the sound? It's shimmering higher
On the beach I'm building a pyre
(Use the wood brought in by the tide)
I know you'll show me how, I'll know when it's time
To take off my robes and step into the choir
The lyrics to Lorde’s song Oceanic Feeling explore a sense of peace and connection with nature. The song is essentially a celebration of being alive as well as contemplating the different stages and experiences that come with growing up and becoming an adult. The lyrics evoke feelings of nostalgia for the past and hope for the future, and the imagery used in the song helps to create a vivid picture of a beautiful world by the sea. The song references Lorde’s father, implying he had similar experiences and enjoyed activities such as fishing, and how the ocean holds them both. One of the most prominent themes in the song is the idea that time is constantly moving, but moments of beauty and connection can help to mark its passing.
The song is packed with beautiful and evocative language that helps to create an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Lorde's voice is soothing and contemplative, making the listener feel as though they are sitting by the ocean, pondering the vastness of the world around them. The lyrics are also philosophical, with Lorde pondering the nature of existence and the role that we all play in the grand scheme of things. She is essentially asking whether we are all part of something larger and if there is meaning to be found in the world, or if we are simply drifting through life without any real purpose. Ultimately, the song asks us to connect with nature, with other human beings, and with ourselves in order to find meaning, purpose, and happiness in life.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a blue day
Today feels peaceful and calm
We could jump Bulli
We could go to the Bulli cliffs and jump off into the ocean
When I hit that water
When I dive into the ocean
When it holds me
When the water embraces me
I think about my father
I remember how my father used to do this when he was young
Doing the same thing
Diving into the ocean and feeling the same way I do now
When he was a boy
When my father was young
We could go fishing
We could spend the day fishing
You'll catch the big one
I believe you'll catch a big fish today
Sliding the knife under the skin
Preparing the fish for cooking
Grateful for this offering
Thankful for the fish that we caught
And all the living things
Appreciating all living creatures
Under the sun
In the world we live in
Little brother
Talking to my younger brother
I think you're an angel
I see you as a special person
See your silver chain levitate
Watching your necklace float in the air when you skateboard
When you're kick-flipping
When you're doing skateboard tricks
Baby boy, you're super cool
You're really awesome, dude
I know you're scared
I understand that you feel afraid
So was I
I felt the same way when I was your age
But all will be revealed in time (time, time)
But things will get better and you'll understand more as you grow up
Oh look, the rays are in the bay now
The sun is shining down on the bay
Can you hear the waves and the cicadas all around?
Can you hear the sounds of the ocean and insects around us?
I can make anything real
I'm able to turn my thoughts into reality
Brain so hot, it's a summer body
My mind is working so hard, it's like my body is in the heat of summer
Every day is blue and never cloudy
My days are bright and happy
Don't look down
Don't focus on negative thoughts
In the future
Looking ahead
If I have a daughter
If I become a mother and have a daughter
Will she have my waist or my widow's peak?
Wondering if my daughter will look like me
My dreamer's disposition or my wicked streak?
Wondering if she'll have my creative nature or my negative qualities
Will she split a tab with her lover, laugh at the stars
Imagining my daughter experiencing love and happiness
Like her mother when she was a girl?
Wondering if she'll be like me when I was young
Now the cherry-black lipstick's gathering dust in a drawer
I'm no longer interested in wearing dark lipstick
I don't need her anymore
I don't need the image I had created for myself anymore
'Cause I got this power
I feel powerful on my own
Just had to breathe out and tune in
I just needed to relax and focus
Oh-oh, can you hear the sound? It's shimmering higher
I can hear a sound that's getting louder and more intense
On the beach I'm building a pyre (use the wood brought in by the tide)
I'm collecting wood from the ocean to build a fire on the beach
I know you'll show me how, I'll know when it's time
I trust that someone will help me figure things out when the time is right
To take off my robes and step into the choir
To let go of my past and join something new and exciting
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@madartist777
Directed by: Joel Kefali and Ella Yelich-O’Connor
Producer: Andrew McLean
Production Company: Good Oil
Director of Photography: Andrew Stroud
Production Designer: Guy Treadgold
Editor: Biff Butler @ Work Editorial
Colourist: David Gibson
Post: Blockhead VFX
Don't forget to give these people some credit, the ones that worked behind the camera and computer screens. Often times don't get enough recognition for their work behind successful artists.
@ceci-fj1rj
when this album first released, i was disappointed.
i had been a fan of lorde for so long, relating to every lyric she wrote and dancing to every beat, but when solar power came out i didn't like it.
it sounded nothing like lorde's past music, it wasn't rushed and extatic. it was calm and acoustic. i didn't understand any of the lyrics and thought they were dumb and meaningless.
i had become a teenager listening to buzzcut seasons and jumping to ribs, i had my heart broken while crying to supercut and writer in the dark. but what about the sun could be so powerful?
two years later, i moved away from home for the first time in my life. i left everything behind and moved to the beach.
i understand it all now.
the sea has such an amazing power, it reveals you all the secrets of this universe if you just surrender to it.
i, now, listen to oceanic feeling every single time i go to the beach, and every time i go and take a swim on the sea, this song keeps playing at the back of my head.
I UNDERSTAND IT ALL NOW.
the cherry black lipstick is gathering dust in a drawer. i don’t need her anymore, cus i got this power. the power of sun and sea salt running through my veins, living on a constant warm hug, everything is clearer now and the sadness is over, it’s time to reborn into this calmness of life.
solar power is truly one of the best works of this decade, and this song is probably one of lorde's best works.
thank u ella for always knowing what do i need in every era of my life.
@alexconti3517
From Lorde’s newsletter:
“It’s bittersweet to be coming to the end of this video journey, but amazing too, because this one is possibly my FAVOURITE video I’ve ever, ever made. Who you see in this video is who I truly am, or who I want to be— open, laid bare, water glittering on my skin, speaking directly to you, nothing to hide or prove, just me.
The person with me is my other half and best mate, my brother Angelo. Born on the same day five years apart, we’ve always shared a super close bond. I knew by putting him in the video, I’d be showing myself exactly as I am. Can’t be anyone else when that kid’s around.
The end is super special too, an end to the video story as much as to this chapter — my community of loved ones gathered to see me off, a moment of ceremony.”
@kevinvitualla
Wow stunning
@ilikeitimnotgonnacrack9307
"Born on the same day, five years apart..." everything about her is just fascinating
@lanebickett4292
i’m crying reading this. Oceanic Feeling is so beautiful and carried me through a lot.
@costcofreezers
why am i tearing up 😭
@stripedshirts
Now THAT hits deep.
@johnnystumpf5483
The entire album is very underrated. As an artist she was trying to expand her sound and I think a lot of people wanted her to do things she has already done before. I think this body of work really shows how versatile an artist she truly is
@mudmaster1
I agree! I love the different sound of hers on this album!!!
Kate Bush
@omega1156
Honestly, Lorde has been killing it with this chillpop style of music. Love the sound. Sweet that she included her brother in the video too.