Giants
O-Town Lyrics


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There was nothing much to do that night
When the giants rose out of the sea
They took a look and they took a bite
But they had no place to be
And their fingernails
Were silver shells
And they wrote their names out in the sand
With a giant hand
There were words that no man could read
When the giants rose out of the waves
Strange patterns in the seaweed
And laughter in the caves
Then the tide came in
All was quiet again
But they waved from where no man could stand
With a giant hand
And who would choose to turn to stone
And who would choose a giant's throne
And what'll we do with all we've known
And what'll we do when all the giants are gone
There was nothing much to do that night
When the giants rose out of the sea
They took a look and they took a bite
But they had no place to be
And their fingernails
Were silver shells




And they wrote their names out in the sand
With a giant hand

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of O-Town's song "Giants" depict a surreal and mysterious event where gigantic beings emerge from the sea. The song explores themes of loneliness, identity, and the impermanence of life.


The opening verse sets the scene of a quiet and uneventful night where there is nothing to do. Suddenly, giants rise from the sea, capturing the attention of onlookers. These figures symbolize something larger than life, perhaps representing the overwhelming challenges or obstacles that people face at times. The giants take a bite, suggesting their hunger or desire for something more, but it becomes evident that they have no purpose or direction.


The mention of their silver shell-like fingernails creates an otherworldly image, emphasizing their physical and metaphorical strength. The giants write their names in the sand, symbolizing their desire for recognition or leaving behind some form of legacy. However, the names are indecipherable to anyone, representing an enigma or a message beyond human understanding.


As the giants rise from the waves, they bring strange patterns in the seaweed and laughter in the caves, suggesting a disruption of the natural order and an element of mystery. The tide eventually washes away these signs, returning everything to its normal state, which can be interpreted as the fleeting nature of extraordinary experiences or the passing of time. Despite this transience, the giants wave from an unreachable location, emphasizing their unattainability and elusiveness.


The subsequent lines raise thought-provoking questions about the choices individuals make. Who would choose to turn to stone implies the consequences of allowing oneself to become stagnant or unyielding in the face of life's challenges. The line about choosing a giant's throne suggests the allure of power or a position of authority, questioning its ultimate value. Lastly, the lyrics contemplate what will happen when all the giants are gone, leaving a sense of uncertainty and the need to adapt to a world without these larger-than-life entities.


Overall, "Giants" reflects on the complexities of life, the search for meaning, and the transient nature of remarkable experiences. It prompts introspection about personal choices and what happens when extraordinary forces or opportunities are no longer present. The lyrics leave room for individual interpretation, allowing listeners to reflect on their own encounters with metaphorical giants, whether they be obstacles, dreams, or fleeting moments of greatness.


Line by Line Meaning

There was nothing much to do that night
There was a lack of excitement or entertainment during that particular night


When the giants rose out of the sea
In an unexpected event, gigantic beings emerged from the ocean


They took a look and they took a bite
The giants observed their surroundings and interacted in some way


But they had no place to be
The giants were without a specific destination or purpose


And their fingernails
The giants possessed unusually remarkable fingernails


Were silver shells
Their fingernails had a silver-like appearance and texture


And they wrote their names out in the sand
The giants inscribed their identities within the sandy surface


With a giant hand
Using their immense hands, they left behind monumental imprints


There were words that no man could read
The giants left behind incomprehensible language or symbols


When the giants rose out of the waves
As the giants emerged from the water, their presence became apparent


Strange patterns in the seaweed
Unusual designs or formations were present within the seaweed


And laughter in the caves
Echoes of amusement could be heard in the caverns


Then the tide came in
Subsequently, the ocean's tide began to rise


All was quiet again
Calmness was restored once more


But they waved from where no man could stand
The giants bid farewell from an inaccessible location


With a giant hand
Using their massive hands, they gestured their farewell


And who would choose to turn to stone
Who would willingly opt to become motionless and rigid


And who would choose a giant's throne
And who would willingly desire to occupy a colossal ruler's seat


And what'll we do with all we've known
What should we do with the knowledge and experiences we have accumulated


And what'll we do when all the giants are gone
What actions should be taken after the absence of the giants




Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Jamie Leven, Jamie Marshall

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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