Drowning
Missy Higgins Lyrics


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Maybe I'm just living out the same old stories in and out
But you know that don't make it easier
Time will fly away with me if truth won't stop and let me see
And tell me I am to believe that you and I should never be again

I'm drowning

When the one you leave is the one thing you believe
You say goodbye when underneaths your one belief
That love rules all, conquers all

Its funny how the times that seem unbearable
Are the ones that you don't ever want to end
And when your childhood slips away
You find you face a brand new day
And you know it can't be the same again

'Cause when you leave you stayed in my memory
You say goodbye for now and have a drink for us
And good luck and find your way

Clawing out will sometimes seem so far away
Never knwowing if I'll live to see another day
Never seem to find out what to do
Noone seems to tell you
'Cause you're drowning

When the one you leave is the one thing you believe
You say goodbye when underneaths your one belief




That love rules all, conquers all
That love rules all, it conquers all

Overall Meaning

In the first stanza of Missy Higgins's song "Drowning," the singer acknowledges that they may be stuck in a pattern of repeating the same old stories over and over again. However, despite this awareness, it doesn't make it any easier for them. The singer expresses a desire for time to slow down so that they can see the truth and come to terms with the fact that they and someone else should never be together again. The chorus reiterates the feeling of being trapped and overwhelmed, using the metaphor of drowning. The second stanza reflects on the bittersweet nature of life's transitions, acknowledging that some experiences can feel unbearable but also never wanting them to end. The singer specifically references the loss of childhood as an example of this. The final stanza suggests that the singer is struggling to break free from their current situation and figure out what to do next. They feel as if they are drowning with no clear way out.


The song touches on themes of love, loss, and personal struggle. It explores the conflicting emotions that can come with letting go of someone or something that was once deeply valued. The metaphor of drowning is a powerful one, capturing the feeling of being overwhelmed and trapped in a situation that seems impossible to escape from. However, there is also a sense of resilience and determination present in the song, as the singer continues to claw their way out despite the odds.


Line by Line Meaning

Maybe I'm just living out the same old stories in and out
Perhaps I'm just repeating the same old patterns and experiencing the same outcomes.


But you know that don't make it easier
However, you know that it doesn't make it any less difficult.


Time will fly away with me if truth won't stop and let me see
If I'm not able to face the reality, time will keep passing by without me noticing it.


And tell me I am to believe that you and I should never be again
Please confirm that you're asking me to believe that our relationship should end permanently.


I'm drowning
I feel like I'm struggling to keep my head above water and I'm being consumed by my emotions.


When the one you leave is the one thing you believe
When the person you break up with is the only thing you believe in or have faith in.


You say goodbye when underneath's your one belief
You might have to say goodbye when the foundation of your belief or your relationship falls apart.


That love rules all, conquers all
The belief that love is the strongest and most powerful force in the world, capable of overcoming any obstacle.


It's funny how the times that seem unbearable
It's ironic how the toughest moments are the ones that we don't want to end, as they represent a significant part of our lives.


Are the ones that you don't ever want to end
Those moments that we don't want to end become so precious to us, even though they caused us pain.


And when your childhood slips away
When you emotionally and mentally move on from your childhood and start to face adult problems.


You find you face a brand new day
You realize that you have to confront a new set of problems and issues as an adult, which your childhood didn't prepare you for.


And you know it can't be the same again
You realize that you can't return to your childhood or your past, and things will never be the same again.


When you leave you stayed in my memory
Even though you're gone, you're still so present in my mind and my heart.


You say goodbye for now and have a drink for us
You say goodbye for the time being and have a drink shared with me in mind, wishing things went differently.


And good luck and find your way
Wishing you success and happiness in your future endeavors.


Clawing out will sometimes seem so far away
Escaping the darkness and depression can seem like an impossible task that's out of reach.


Never knowing if I'll live to see another day
Feeling hopeless and questioning whether there's a point in continuing on and if I'll even survive.


Never seem to find out what to do
Feeling lost and not knowing how to move on and overcome the struggles.


No one seems to tell you
No one seems to have the answers or the solutions to the problems or struggles you're facing.


'Cause you're drowning
The overwhelming feeling of being consumed by emotions and struggling to keep your head above water is affecting every aspect of your life.


That love rules all, it conquers all
Reaffirming the belief that despite all the struggles and hardships, love is the most powerful force and is capable of overcoming anything.




Contributed by Ellie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@xXxKclarksonxXx

I was just watching a new one tree hill episode and heard a song that i liked on it, so i looked it up and it turned out to b missy higgins - where i stood, which i thort was amazin. So iv looked up more songs from her an they are amazin!! i reaally like this one. x

@samdancer34

"it's funny how the times that seem unbearable are the ones that you don't ever want to end" also so true :]

@anniezagAnnie0854

Great song! Thank you. Thank you Filadelfos for sharing.

@hrabianazajawa

love it <33 'And when your childhood slips away You find you face a brand new day And you know it can't be the same again' So true... ;]

@LoveLetterUnsent

My mom died a year ago tonight. This song fits it perfectly. Thank you.

@cheeeesetomymacaroni

ahh my favourite missy song :)

@giusi

what a beautiful song <3

@BenBarnesRules

This is so beautiful! Its makin me cry 8,(

@Sassdamina

this song still reduces me to tears 6 months after my bf broke up with me. It sums up the whole experience perfectly.

@iamcyy

this is one of my favourite song xD

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