Down Down
M.O.E Lyrics

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From the back of my neck, oh, oh, oh
Wired a glass jaw, oh, oh
Plantation burning your boat is coming in
Strum your jew's-harp, you're reeking gin

[Chorus:]
Running water in a sinking boat
Going under but they've got your goat

Burning down - my hands are tied my feet are bound
Burning down - can't you see that my hands are bound

Johnny Mike is reading in the yard
His story's timely, oh, oh, oh
What river is it anyway, radio
Not in a boat, in your ear

[Chorus:]

You pick your island in the sun
Take your island off he's got a gun
Burning down - my hands are tied my feet are bound
Burning down - can't you see that my hands are bound

He's cooking in the woods, a brush fire in your neck
Feeling mighty mighty, oh, oh, oh
You can pick your island in the sun
Take your island off he's got a gun

[Chorus:]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to M.O.E's song "Down Down" paint a picture of chaos and turmoil. The imagery and figurative language used evoke a feeling of desperation and confusion. The first two lines suggest a vulnerability to attack, with the singer's neck and jaw being wired and fragile respectively. The following line about a burning plantation and impending arrival of a boat adds to the ominous tone.

The chorus paints a picture of sinking and being trapped, with "running water in a sinking boat" and hands and feet being bound. The following verse introduces a character named Johnny Mike who is reading in the yard, perhaps seeking escape from the chaos. The line "what river is it anyway, radio" suggests a disorientation or confusion. The chorus repeats with the same sense of desperation and entrapment.

The final verse introduces a character cooking in the woods with a brush fire in their neck, adding to the sense of danger and instability. The final line about someone having a gun reinforces the notion that there is no escape and danger is always present. Overall, the lyrics suggest a situation of tumult and danger, where escape is unlikely and even those seeking refuge are not safe.

Line by Line Meaning

From the back of my neck, oh, oh, oh
Starting from the back of my neck, I feel an intensity that I can't explain.

Wired a glass jaw, oh, oh
I am highly sensitive and easily hurt emotionally, like having a glass jaw that can shatter with a strong hit.

Plantation burning your boat is coming in
A plantation is engulfed in flames and your boat is on its way to rescue you.

Strum your jew's-harp, you're reeking gin
Play your musical instrument, the Jew's harp, and smell strongly of gin.

Running water in a sinking boat
Despite the boat sinking, water is still running and everything feels chaotic.

Going under but they've got your goat
Even though everything is falling apart, someone is still able to control and manipulate you.

Burning down - my hands are tied my feet are bound
Everything is falling apart and I am unable to do anything to stop it.

Burning down - can't you see that my hands are bound
Everything is falling apart and I am unable to do anything to stop it, and it's frustrating that no one can see my struggle.

Johnny Mike is reading in the yard
Johnny Mike is leisurely reading in the yard.

His story's timely, oh, oh, oh
The story he is reading is relevant to current events.

What river is it anyway, radio
I wonder what river the radio is talking about.

Not in a boat, in your ear
The radio is not in a boat, but the sound is coming from the artist in your ear.

You pick your island in the sun
You choose a place where you can feel happy and free.

Take your island off he's got a gun
You are forced to leave your place of happiness and safety because someone is threatening you with a gun.

He's cooking in the woods, a brush fire in your neck
An unknown person is cooking in the woods, and the heat from a brush fire is felt on your neck, making you nervous.

Feeling mighty mighty, oh, oh, oh
Despite the danger, the unknown person is feeling confident and powerful.

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BILL BERRY, PETER BUCK, MICHAEL MILLS, MICHAEL STIPE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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