There were two releases of the single. The first included the album version of "Ocean Breathes Salty", as well as a live studio recording of "Float On". The second release was an Enhanced CD, released on January 11, 2005. It included the original recording of the song, an additional live studio session of the song, the live version of "Float On", and finally the music video for "Ocean Breathes Salty".
The music video for "Ocean Breathes Salty" was directed by Chris Milk and is very similar to a segment of the Pink Floyd film, The Wall. The video shows a young boy finding a bird with a broken wing, which throughout the video becomes lead singer Isaac Brock. The boy patches up the bird and shows it to his mom, who disgusted, tries to take the bird away. The boy runs away and spends the night in a field with the bird where he dreams that he can play with it when it heals. Unfortunately, when he wakes up, the bird has died and he buries it. As he walks away, the band dressed up as animals, appear and finish the song.
Ocean Breathes Salty
Modest Mouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In my head, in my heart, in my soul
And maybe we'll get lucky and we'll both live again
Well, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know, don't think so
Well, that is that and this is this
You tell me what you want and I'll tell you what you get
You get away from me, you get away from me
Well, thanks for the time, I needed to think a spell
I had to think awhile, I had to think awhile
The ocean breathes salty, won't you carry it in?
In your head, in your mouth, in your soul
And maybe we'll get lucky and we'll both grow old
Well, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know, I hope so
Well, that is that and this is this
You tell me what you want and I'll tell you what you get
You get away from me (you get away from me)
You get away from me
Collected my belongings and I left the jail
Well, thanks for the time, I needed to think a spell
I had to think awhile (I had to think awhile)
I had to think awhile
Well, that is that and this is this
Will you tell me what you saw and I'll tell you what you missed
When the ocean met the sky (you missed)
You missed when time and life shook hands and said goodbye (you missed)
When the earth folded in on itself (you missed)
And said "good luck, for your sake I hope heaven and hell
(You missed, you missed) are really there
But I wouldn't hold my breath" (you missed, you missed)
You wasted life, why wouldn't you waste death? (You missed, you missed)
You wasted life, why wouldn't you waste death?
The ocean breathes salty, won't you carry it in?
In your head, in your mouth, in your soul
The more we move ahead the more we're stuck in rewind
Well, I don't mind I don't mind
How the hell could I mind? Huh
Well, that is that and this is this
You tell me what you want and I'll tell you what you get
You get away from me (you get away from me), you get away from me
Well, that is that and this is this
Will you tell me what you saw and I'll tell you what you missed
When the ocean met the sky (you missed, you missed)
You wasted life, why wouldn't you waste the afterlife?
The song "Ocean Breathes Salty" by Modest Mouse is a complex piece that delves into themes of life, death, and the cyclical nature of existence. The lyrics speak of carrying the memory of the deceased in one's heart and soul, and the possibility of reunification in the afterlife. The opening lines, "Your body may be gone, I'm gonna carry you in, in my head, in my heart, in my soul" suggest a deep connection between the singer and the person who has passed away. There is a sense of longing and loss, but also a belief in the continuity of life beyond physical death.
The repeated refrain, "The ocean breathes salty, won't you carry it in? In your head, in your mouth, in your soul” evokes the idea of the sea being a powerful force that can carry the memories and experiences of our loved ones. The image of the ocean suggests the vastness and eternity of time, and how our lives are like drops in the ocean, contributing to a larger whole.
Throughout the song, the lyrics depict the cyclical nature of existence, where life and death are intertwined, and the past and present are inextricably linked. The line "The more we move ahead, the more we're stuck in rewind" suggests that we are forever connected to our past experiences and can never truly escape them.
Line by Line Meaning
Your body may be gone, I'm gonna carry you in
Even if your physical presence is no longer with me, I will carry your essence with me everywhere I go.
In my head, in my heart, in my soul
Your memories will forever be embedded in my mind, heart, and spirit.
And maybe we'll get lucky and we'll both live again
Perhaps there is an afterlife where we can both exist together once more.
Well, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know, don't think so
I am uncertain and doubtful of the possibility of an afterlife and reunion.
You tell me what you want and I'll tell you what you get
If you communicate your desires to me, I will inform you of what outcomes to expect.
Collected my belongings and I left the jail
I gathered my possessions and escaped my confinement.
Well, thanks for the time, I needed to think a spell
Thank you for the opportunity to reflect on my circumstances for a moment.
I had to think awhile, I had to think awhile
It took me a considerable amount of time to ponder and process everything.
The ocean breathes salty, won't you carry it in?
The ocean is a source of life and vitality; won't you embrace it and take it within yourself?
In your head, in your mouth, in your soul
The ocean's power and essence should permeate every aspect of your being.
And maybe we'll get lucky and we'll both grow old
Perhaps fate will allow us to age and mature together till our very ends.
Well, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know, I hope so
Although I'm unsure, I remain optimistic in the hope that we will both have the privilege of old age.
When the ocean met the sky (you missed)
You were not present to witness the wondrous merging of the ocean and the sky.
You missed when time and life shook hands and said goodbye (you missed)
You were not present to witness the inevitable parting of time and life.
When the earth folded in on itself (you missed)
You were not present to witness the cataclysmic collapse and destruction of the planet.
And said "good luck, for your sake I hope heaven and hell
As the earth was destroyed, it offered well-wishes for the prospects of an afterlife - whether it be a good or bad one.
are really there
There exists doubt regarding the validity and existence of heaven and hell.
But I wouldn't hold my breath" (you missed, you missed)
I wouldn't keep your hopes up as such afterlife claims need not be trusted or guaranteed.
You wasted life, why wouldn't you waste death? (You missed, you missed)
You failed to fully appreciate and maximize the value of life; why not do the same for an uncertain afterlife?
The more we move ahead the more we're stuck in rewind
The more we supposedly progress and develop as a society, the more we fall back into negative cycles or similar problems of the past.
Well, I don't mind I don't mind
I'm indifferent to this paradoxical and frustrating state of affairs.
You get away from me (you get away from me), you get away from me
I desire distance and separation from you as personified by negative habits or people.
Will you tell me what you saw and I'll tell you what you missed
If you inform me of what was before me, I can inform you of what you were absent from.
You wasted life, why wouldn't you waste the afterlife?
If you squandered the opportunities and potential of life, why expect any differently from the mystical afterlife?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dann Gallucci, Eric Judy, Isaac Brock
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-lf9il9tc9w
As a non-native English speaker, I heard this song first when I was at 18. And my thought was ‘hmm, A song of life and death. Too Mundane’, I understood Nothing.
And now I’m at age 30. I tried to find a job at 27, While my Ex-GF and my ex-best friend both betrayed and leave me.
I tried to begin again and every struggling of mine failed. All I was thinking is ‘My life sucks from the start and never be paid off’. and I’ve always thinking about putting an end of myself by 2 years.
All of a sudden I reminded this song and played again. And I finally relized what this song’s true meaning ‘why don’t you love your life while you still can?’. I decided to get a grip and got a counseling.
Now I found a new job abroad, Started a new hobbies, and my collegues are relying on me. Everything changed and I’m a little bit more happier man now.
Thanks Modest Mouse. And thank you for reading this boring story of mine. May you can find peace of mind by this song like myself.
@Pride317
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Your body may be gone, I'm gonna carry you in
In my head, in my heart, in my soul
And maybe we'll get lucky and we'll both live again
Well, I don't know, I don't know
I don't know, don't think so
[Chorus 1]
Well, that is that and this is this
You tell me what you want and I'll tell you what you get
You get away from me, you get away from me
Collected my belongings and I left the jail
Well, thanks for the time, I needed to think a spell
I had to think awhile, I had to think awhile
[Verse 2]
The ocean breathes salty, won't you carry it in?
In your head, in your mouth, in your soul
And maybe we'll get lucky and we'll both grow old
Well I don't know, I don't know
I don't know, I hope so
[Chorus 1]
Well, that is that and this is this
You tell me what you want and I'll tell you what you get
You get away from me, you get away from me
Collected my belongings and I left the jail
Well, thanks for the time, I needed to think a spell
I had to think awhile, I had to think awhile
[Bridge]
Well, that is that and this is this
Will you tell me what you saw, and I'll tell you what you missed
When the ocean met the sky (You missed)
You missed when time and life shook hands and said goodbye
(You missed)
When the Earth folded in on itself (You missed)
And said "Good luck, for your sake I hope Heaven and Hell
(You missed, you missed)
Are really there, but I wouldn't hold my breath"
(You missed, you missed)
You wasted life, why wouldn't you waste death?
(You missed, you missed)
You wasted life, why wouldn't you waste death?
[Verse 3]
The ocean breathes salty, won't you carry it in?
In your head, in your mouth, in your soul
The more we move ahead the more we're stuck in rewind
Well, I don't mind, I don't mind
How the hell could I mind?
[Chorus 2]
Well, that is that and this is this
You tell me what you want and I'll tell you what you get
You get away from me, you get away from me
Well, that is that and this is this
Will you tell me what you saw and I'll tell you what you missed
When the ocean met the sky (You missed)
You wasted life, why wouldn't you waste the afterlife?
@Leonator-cz9ix
Your body may be gone, I'm gonna carry you in
In my head, in my heart, in my soul
And maybe we'll get lucky and we'll both live again
Well, I don't know, I don't know
I don't know, don't think so
[Chorus 1]
Well, that is that and this is this
You tell me what you want and I'll tell you what you get
You get away from me, you get away from me
Collected my belongings and I left the jail
Well, thanks for the time, I needed to think a spell
I had to think awhile, I had to think awhile
[Verse 2]
The ocean breathes salty, won't you carry it in?
In your head, in your mouth, in your soul
And maybe we'll get lucky and we'll both grow old
Well I don't know, I don't know
I don't know, I hope so
[Chorus 1]
Well, that is that and this is this
You tell me what you want and I'll tell you what you get
You get away from me, you get away from me
Collected my belongings and I left the jail
Well, thanks for the time, I needed to think a spell
I had to think awhile, I had to think awhile
[Bridge]
Well, that is that and this is this
Will you tell me what you saw, and I'll tell you what you missed
When the ocean met the sky (You missed)
You missed when time and life shook hands and said goodbye
(You missed)
When the Earth folded in on itself (You missed)
And said "Good luck, for your sake I hope Heaven and Hell
(You missed, you missed)
Are really there, but I wouldn't hold my breath"
(You missed, you missed)
You wasted life, why wouldn't you waste death?
(You missed, you missed)
You wasted life, why wouldn't you waste death?
[Verse 3]
The ocean breathes salty, won't you carry it in?
In your head, in your mouth, in your soul
The more we move ahead the more we're stuck in rewind
Well, I don't mind, I don't mind
How the hell could I mind?
[Chorus 2]
Well, that is that and this is this
You tell me what you want and I'll tell you what you get
You get away from me, you get away from me
Well, that is that and this is this
Will you tell me what you saw and I'll tell you what you missed
When the ocean met the sky (You missed)
You wasted life, why wouldn't you waste the afterlife?
@cassandrastone7297
“You wasted life. Why wouldn’t you waste death?” Those lyrics still get to me years after I first heard this song, it still brings tears to my eyes.
@josephthehamster4577
gg
@scottdegroot4785
A lyric more religious people need to take to heart.
@fluffstuffpootiebean1688
QQ
@winterrose9658
I'm gonna put that quote on my obituary when I die. It literally describes me to a Tee
@the2ndcoming135
Arrrrgh, my heart. Now, I can’t unlove this😎
@user-lf9il9tc9w
As a non-native English speaker, I heard this song first when I was at 18. And my thought was ‘hmm, A song of life and death. Too Mundane’, I understood Nothing.
And now I’m at age 30. I tried to find a job at 27, While my Ex-GF and my ex-best friend both betrayed and leave me.
I tried to begin again and every struggling of mine failed. All I was thinking is ‘My life sucks from the start and never be paid off’. and I’ve always thinking about putting an end of myself by 2 years.
All of a sudden I reminded this song and played again. And I finally relized what this song’s true meaning ‘why don’t you love your life while you still can?’. I decided to get a grip and got a counseling.
Now I found a new job abroad, Started a new hobbies, and my collegues are relying on me. Everything changed and I’m a little bit more happier man now.
Thanks Modest Mouse. And thank you for reading this boring story of mine. May you can find peace of mind by this song like myself.
@underratedarts
I gree with you my friend, exactly this.
@logibear2002
Chin up. Don't look back, and keep pushing on champion
@wrathofgrothendieck
you the man