Artist: Loudon Wainwright… Read Full Bio ↴The Swimming Song by Loudon Wainwright III
Artist: Loudon Wainwright III
Album: Attempted Mustache
Released: 1973
Overview
"The Swimming Song" is one of Loudon Wainwright III's most iconic songs, featured on his 1973 album "Attempted Mustache." Known for its catchy banjo riff and upbeat tempo, the song has become a summertime classic, evoking the carefree spirit of swimming and the joys of summer.
Background
While seemingly a lighthearted account of swimming adventures, the song's lyrics touch on themes of risk-taking and confronting limits, sometimes to the point of self-endangerment.
Composition
With a prominent banjo line played by Wainwright himself, the song's folk roots are evident. Its straightforward structure and memorable chorus have made it a favorite among fans and a staple in Wainwright's live performances.
Reception
Critics and fans alike have praised "The Swimming Song" for its infectious melody and Wainwright's engaging vocal delivery. It stands out as a song that captures his ability to combine humor with musicianship.
Cultural Impact
The track has been covered by various artists and featured in media, maintaining its appeal across generations.
Personnel
[*]Loudon Wainwright III – vocals, banjo
[*]...and more
Track Listing
"The Swimming Song" is a highlight of the album "Attempted Mustache," which features a range of other folk songs.
External Links
Listen to "The Swimming Song" on YouTube
Listen to "The Swimming Song" on Spotify
Learn more about Loudon Wainwright III on Wikipedia
The Swimming Song
Loudon Wainwright III Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This summer I might have drowned
But I held my breath and I kicked my feet
And I moved my arms around
I moved my arms around
This summer I swam in the ocean
And I swam in a swimming pool
I'm a self-destructive fool
I'm a self-destructive fool
This summer I did the backstroke
And you know that that's not all
I did the breast stroke and the butterfly
And the old Australian crawl
The old Australian crawl
This summer I swam in a public place
And a reservoir, to boot
At the latter I was informal
At the former I wore my suit
I wore my swimming suit, yeah
This summer I did swan dives
And jackknifes for you all
And once when you weren't looking
I did a cannonball
I did a cannonball
This summer I went swimming
This summer I might have drowned
But I held my breath and I kicked my feet
And I moved my arms around
I moved my arms around
Yeah hee!
The Swimming Song by Loudon Wainwright III is a nostalgic tribute to fond childhood memories of swimming during summers. The song evokes a sense of freedom and carefree spirit one experiences during summers in the company of friends and water. The lyrics denote the singer's various experiences of swimming, ranging from swimming in a swimming pool, the ocean, a reservoir, and also in public places.
The lyrics also suggest that the singer's love for swimming and the risks involved in it as he admits to almost drowning. Nevertheless, the singer continues to enjoy swimming and attempts to try different styles such as the backstroke, the breaststroke, butterfly, and the Australian crawl. The singer also boasts about executing fancy jumps such as the swan dives, jackknifes and cannonballs.
Wainwright's Swimming Song is not just a song about swimming, but a metaphor for living life with enthusiasm and joy, taking risks, and savoring moments of freedom. It's about embracing life and experiencing it fully, despite its ups and downs.
Line by Line Meaning
This summer I went swimming
I engaged in the activity of swimming during this particular summer
This summer I might have drowned
There was a possibility of me dying as a result of being in the water this summer
But I held my breath and I kicked my feet
To prevent myself from drowning, I stopped breathing and used forceful movement of my legs
And I moved my arms around
To further avoid drowning, I made swishing motions with my arms
This summer I swam in the ocean
I swam in the large body of saltwater that encompasses most of the earth's surface
And I swam in a swimming pool
I enjoyed swimming in a confined, man-made space full of water
Salt my wounds, chlorine my eyes
I experienced pain as a result of the chemicals present in the two different types of water I swam in
I'm a self-destructive fool
I knowingly engaged in activities that were harmful to myself
This summer I did the backstroke
I swam on my back, propelling myself through the water with my arms and legs
And you know that that's not all
I did not limit myself to just one swimming technique during this summer
I did the breast stroke and the butterfly
I used two other common swimming techniques during my time in the water
And the old Australian crawl
I also executed a particular swimming technique that originated in Australia
This summer I swam in a public place
I took a dip in a location that is accessible to anyone
And a reservoir, to boot
In addition, I went to a large, artificially created body of water used for storage
At the latter I was informal
When swimming in the reservoir, I was not adhering to a strict dress code or code of conduct
At the former I wore my suit
When I went swimming in the public place, I wore appropriate swim attire
Yeah hee!
An exclamation of excitement and joy in the activities I was engaged in during the summer
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: Loudon Wainwright III
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind