The song was written by Dann Gallucci, Eric Judy, and Isaac Brock.
Asked about the song in an interview with The A.V. Club, Isaac Brock said that he consciously intended to write something that felt more positive than some of his previous work.
The song was released on February 14, 2004 and was the first Modest Mouse song to gain mainstream popularity. Nearly a half year after its release, it became the band's first #1 hit on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. In Australia, the song was ranked #11 on Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2004. In July 2009, it was also voted in at #94 in Triple J's Hottest 100 of All Time.
Not only the song, but the music video, featuring computer animation styled after pop-up books, bears a degree of resemblance to the video of Franz Ferdinand's breakthrough single "Take Me Out", which is animated in a similar style, though with different aesthetics. Both songs became popular at around the same time.
This song was covered by Australian artist Ben Lee for the 2006 motion picture John Tucker Must Die, and again by indie band Goldspot for the sixth soundtrack of The OC, released on December 5, 2006.
This song is also featured in "Weird Al" Yankovic's song "Polkarama!" on the album Straight Outta Lynwood.
On March 14, 2007 the song was used in a segment on American Idol that served as an advertisement for the Ford Motor Company. Idol producers later confirmed that the segment was actually based on the Kidz Bop cover of the song.
This song is featured in the 2009 movie "Hit And Run"
The song was also used as pro-snowboarder Travis Rice's profile song in the Absinthe Movies film "POP".
It is a playable track on Rock Band 2, Rock Band Unplugged, and Guitar Hero World Tour.
The introduction of the song is commonly used at the start of a segment on the Mitch Albom Show on WJR radio in Detroit.
This song was in heavy rotation at night on MTV/MTV2/VH1/Fuse upon music video creation/release.
Float On
Modest Mouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, he just drove off, sometimes life's okay
I ran my mouth off a bit too much, oh, what did I say?
Well, you just laughed it off and it was all okay
And we'll all float on, okay
And we'll all float on, okay
And we'll all float on, okayAnd we'll all float on anyway, well
A fake Jamaican took every last dime with that scam
It was worth it just to learn some sleight of hand
Bad news comes, don't you worry even when it lands
Good news will work its way to all them plans
We both got fired on exactly the same day
Well, we'll float on, good news is on the way
And we'll all float on, okay
And we'll all float on, okay
And we'll all float on, okay
And we'll all float on, alright
Already, we'll all float on
No, don't you worry, we'll all float on, alright
Already, we'll all float on, alright
Don't worry, we'll all float on
Alright, already
And we'll all float on, alright
Already, we'll all float on, alright
Don't worry, even if things end up a bit
Too heavy, we'll all float on, alright
Already, we'll all float on alrightAlready, we'll all float on, okay
Don't worry, even if things get heavy
We'll all float on, alright
Already, we'll all float on (alright)
No, don't you worry, we'll all float on (alright)
We'll all float on
"Float On" is a song by American rock band Modest Mouse, released as the lead single from their fourth studio album, "Good News for People Who Love Bad News". The song, written by frontman Isaac Brock, is an optimistic statement about how life can throw us all sorts of curveballs, but as long as we stay positive, we can float on and come out okay in the end.
The song starts with Brock recounting an incident where he backed his car into a cop car, but the cop just drove off, giving the impression that things aren't always as bad as they seem. In the chorus, Brock sings "we'll all float on, okay" as a way of saying that even though things may not be going as planned, we can still keep going and stay afloat.
The second verse tells the story of a "fake Jamaican" who scam Brock out of all his money. However, Brock sees this as a learning experience and is actually glad it happened, as it taught him some "sleight of hand." The verse ends with the message that even when bad news happens, there's always a chance for good news to come.
The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the idea that no matter what happens, we can all float on and make it through. Overall, "Float On" is a song of hope and positivity, encouraging listeners to stay afloat even in the toughest of times.
Line by Line Meaning
I backed my car into a cop car the other day
I made a mistake and caused damage to someone else's property.
Well, he just drove off, sometimes life's okay
Despite the mistake, sometimes things work out for the better without any consequences.
I ran my mouth off a bit too much, oh, what did I say?
I spoke without thinking, potentially causing offense or embarrassment.
Well, you just laughed it off and it was all okay
The person I spoke to was understanding and didn't take it to heart, and everything turned out fine.
And we'll all float on, okay
Despite the small mishap, life will go on and we will get through it.
A fake Jamaican took every last dime with that scam
I was the victim of a scam or deception and lost all my money.
It was worth it just to learn some sleight of hand
Even though the situation was negative, I gained knowledge from the experience.
Bad news comes, don't you worry even when it lands
When negative things happen, it's important to stay calm and not panic.
Good news will work its way to all them plans
Despite the bad news, there's still the possibility for positive outcomes.
We both got fired on exactly the same day
Both of us experienced a negative event at the same time.
Well, we'll float on, good news is on the way
Despite the job loss, there's hope for a better future.
Already, we'll all float on
No matter what happens, we will persevere and move forward.
Don't worry, we'll all float on, alright
Even in tough times, there's reason to believe that everything will work out in the end.
Even if things end up a bit too heavy, we'll all float on, alright
Even if the situation becomes overwhelming, we'll find a way to get through it.
Already, we'll all float on (alright)
Despite any obstacles, we will continue to move forward with confidence.
We'll all float on
No matter what happens, we will persevere and move forward.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dann Gallucci, Eric Judy, Isaac Brock
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jackc6437
for all the butthurt "musical pioneers" (a term i use so very loosely and sarcastically) complaining about lupe fiasco using this song as a basis for his:
1. calm down. you all look like idiots. "music now isn't as good as it was then" i know your type, believe me.
2. lupe did not "steal" this song. if you actually listen to his version, not only are the words different (meaning it was completely recorded by him), the instrumentation is different as well. successfully converting an alternative song as such into a hip-hop song is easier said than done.
3. why would modest mouse have allowed lupe to use it had there been nothing in it for them? either they got a load of money or an even greater deal of publicity from it. perhaps both.
4. lupe's song promotes peace, happiness, and the come-up of troubled/disadvantaged kids. try listening to the song before you bash it.
personally, i am a fan of music. all across the boards. no genre is better than the rest, there is just as much good music today as there was 30 years ago. keep your ears and mind open, you'll find it, believe me.
@RevanDBT
2004 was such a good year, Franz Ferdinand, Modest Mouse, Wilco, The Killers.
@mattgohlke8216
My wife and I were lucky enough to attend the Wilco Sky Blue Sky Festival in Mexico in late early December , it was beyond words. For some reason theyre skipping it this year 🥲
@jorgievellz718
02-06 was amazing
@jfluffydog2110
Morrisey and the libertines mainly
@erickmorales1826
I was there.
@normacaballero7867
Who remembers Mew ?
Mew am I wry
@JohnnyTheSergal
Still hits good in 2024. 💯
@jeffnorris18
nope... in 2025 ;)
@JohnnyTheSergal
@ Then I’ll be ahead of the game and say 2026 as well!
@Spiyder11
Damn. For some reason, this song made me cry....