Band members:
Andrew VanWyngarden (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards, drums)
Ben Goldwasser (keyboards, vocals, guitar)
Matthew Asti (bass, keyboards)
James Richardson (guitar, vocals)
Hank Sullivant (guitar, keyboards)
Will Berman (drums)
You can learn more about MGMT, browse photos, and see the tour schedule at the Official Website.
Ocean
MGMT Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and the waves down by the sea
Here comes the ocean
and the waves where've they been ?
Don't swim tonight my love
The sea is mad my love
It's known to drive men crazy
The castle is dead and reeks
The madness can make you lazy
Here come the waves
down by the shore
Washing the rocks that have been here
centuries or more
Down by the sea
Here come the ocean
and the waves down by the sea
Here comes the ocean
and the waves where've they been ?
Castles glowing at night
Towers above out fright
What did happen here
Now comes it in my head
I serve you bread on a pledge
Think of your mouth for dinner
But here come the waves
down by the sea
Washing the eyes of the men
who have died
Down by the sea
Here come the waves
Here come the waves
Here come the waves
Here come the waves
In "Ocean," MGMT uses powerful imagery to evoke a sense of foreboding and mystery, as the ocean is presented as both a beautiful and dangerous force. The repeated lines of "Here comes the ocean" emphasize the overwhelming power of nature and the waves that come crashing down on the shore. The lyrics also hint at a dark history linked to this location, with references to a dead castle, murder, and madness. The line "The madness can make you lazy" suggests the danger of becoming complacent in the face of such overwhelming forces.
The second verse adds to the sense of unease, with castles glowing at night and towers looming above, as if the past is still somehow present and haunting this landscape. The line "Think of your mouth for dinner" is a disturbing contrast to the beauty of the sea, and adds to the feeling of the unknown that permeates the song. In the final verses, the focus shifts to the eyes of the men who have died, as if the ocean is a vast graveyard.
Overall, "Ocean" is a haunting and evocative song that captures the power and danger of nature, and the mysteries and histories that lie beneath the surface.
Line by Line Meaning
Here comes the ocean
The arrival of something massive and powerful
and the waves down by the sea
The ocean's energy as it reaches the shore
Here comes the ocean
The repeat of the prior announcement, as if a warning
and the waves where've they been ?
The uncertainty of the ocean's previous movements and potential destruction
Don't swim tonight my love
A plea for safety and precaution
The sea is mad my love
The ocean is unpredictable and dangerous
It's known to drive men crazy
A reference to the myth of sirens luring men to their death in the sea
Now come that murder seeks
The violence that accompanies the ocean's power
The castle is dead and reeks
The destruction and decay left behind by the ocean's force
The madness can make you lazy
The overwhelming trauma of the ocean's power can cause exhaustion and apathy
Here come the waves
The repeated warning of the ocean's imminent arrival
down by the shore
The location of the ocean's force as it meets the land
Washing the rocks that have been here
The erosion and reshaping of the land by the ocean
centuries or more
A reminder of the ocean's timeless power
Down by the sea
The location of the ocean's power and destruction
Castles glowing at night
The structures built by humans that are no match for the power of the ocean
Towers above out fright
The fear and awe inspired by the ocean's power
What did happen here
The mystery and tragedy of the destruction wrought by the ocean
Now comes it in my head
The haunting and traumatic memories of the destruction
I serve you bread on a pledge
A reference to the Greek myth of offering bread as a pledge to the gods of the sea
Think of your mouth for dinner
The potential danger and sacrifice required to appease the ocean's power
Washing the eyes of the men
The cleansing and erasing of life by the ocean's force
who have died
The ultimate price paid for underestimating the power of the ocean
Here come the waves
The final, ominous warning of the ocean's arrival
Here come the waves
The repeat of the prior line, a warning or a lament
Here come the waves
The final repeat, an inevitable and terrifying announcement
Here come the waves
The conclusive declaration of the ocean's power and devastation
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lou Reed
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind