Behind the Sea
Panic! at the Disco Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

A daydream spills from my corked head
Breaks free of my wooden neck
Left a nod over sleeping waves
Like bobbing bait for bathing cod
Floating flocks of candled swans
Slowly drift across wax ponds

The men all played along to marching drums
And boy did they have fun behind the sea
They sang (hey)
So our matching legs are marching clocks
And we're all too small to talk to god
Yes, we're all too smart to talk to god

Toast the fine folks casting silver crumbs
To us from the dock
Jinxed things ringing as they leak
Through tiny cracks in the boardwalk
Scarecrow, now it's time to hatch
Sprouting suns and ageless daughters

Don't you know, don't you know
That those watermelon smiles
Just can't ripen underwater
Just can't ripen underwater

The men all played along to marching drums
And boy did they have fun behind the sea
They sang (hey)
So our matching legs are marching clocks
And we're all too small to talk to god
Yeah, we're all too smart to talk to god
Oh, we're all too smart to talk to god

Oh, legs of wood waves, waves of wooden legs
Waves of wooden legs
Legs of wood waves, waves of wooden legs
Waves of wooden legs
Legs of wood waves, waves of wooden legs
Waves of wooden legs
Legs of wood waves, waves of wooden legs
Waves of wooden legs





Oh, so close

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Behind the Sea" by Panic! at the Disco evoke a dreamlike state, with vivid imagery of floating flocks of swans, suns sprouting from scarecrows, and waves of wooden legs. The song seems to be about the limitations of human understanding and our attempts to connect with something greater than ourselves. The chorus repeats the lines "So our matching legs are marching clocks / And we're all too small to talk to God / Yes, we're all too smart to talk to God" suggesting that no matter how much humans try to understand the mysteries of the universe, we are ultimately limited by our own smallness and intelligence.


The verses are filled with surrealistic imagery, such as the "candled swans" and the "silver crumbs" cast by the "fine folks" on the dock. The jarring line "Jinxed things ringing as they leak through tiny cracks in the boardwalk" creates an eerie feeling, further adding to the dreamlike quality of the song. The final verse seems to suggest that happiness and fulfillment cannot be achieved without being able to fully "ripen", which is not possible when one is metaphorically underwater.


Overall, "Behind the Sea" is a haunting and mysterious song that explores the depths of human understanding and the limitations we face in attempting to connect with something greater than ourselves.


Line by Line Meaning

A daydream spills from my corked head
A fanciful thoughts flows out of my sealed mind


Breaks free of my wooden neck
Escapes from my stiff, expressionless posture


Left a nod over sleeping waves
Created a ripple over quiet tides


Like bobbing bait for bathing cod
An irresistible lure for unsuspecting prey


Floating flocks of candled swans
A peaceful image of serenity and grace


Slowly drift across wax ponds
Gently glide over still water surfaces


The men all played along
Everyone followed the same tune


To marching drums
To a steady, rhythmic beat


And boy did they have fun
And enjoyed themselves to the fullest


Behind the sea
Beyond the horizon


They sang (hey!)
They raised their voices in unison


So our matching legs
Our synchronized movements


Are marching clocks
Are regulated like precise timepieces


And we're all too small
We're insignificant in the grand scheme of things


To talk to God
To comprehend the divine


Yes, we're all too smart
We're intelligent, but limited in knowledge


Toast the fine folks casting silver crumbs
Celebrate those who give generously


To us from the dock
To those waiting on the shore


Jinxed things ringing as they leak
Cursed items making noise as they break apart


Through tiny cracks in the boardwalk
Via small openings in the walkway


Scarecrow, now it's time to hatch
It's time to come alive and flourish


Sprouting suns and ageless daughters
Budding celestial objects and timeless offspring


Don't you know
Aren't you aware


That those watermelon smiles
Those happy expressions


Just can't ripen underwater
Are unable to flourish in the wrong environment


Legs of wood waves, waves of wooden legs
An abstract, surreal image


Waves of wooden legs
Repetitive, nonsensical phrase


Oh
Expression of emotion




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Brendon Urie, George Ross, Jonathan Walker, Spencer Smith

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

Grace Banta

This song is so amazing, Ryans voice is so calming I swear

I'm a fever you cant sweat out

Grace Banta true

Amanda Haman

I don't know why Ryan earlier said that he can't sing. He is as talented as any other singer! 

angrymullet

Amanda Haman even more talented than most tbh

d d

his air particles are more talented than the entire universe in my opinion.

Mikey!!

Much much more*

sunkentree

Ryan is the better singer by far.

Minty Coffee

@sunkentree The band including ryan clearly didn't think so lol

Kaja Wojtkowska

Ok but can you hear Ryan and Brendon singing together I'm crying

blanche sr

same

More Comments

More Versions