Their first single release was on the Outpunk Records compilation Outpunk Dance Party, to which they contributed the song "I Can't Sleep". They have released many singles and LPs, mainly on the independent record label Lookout! Records and on Alternative Tentacles.
Their discography is as follows:
That's So Gay
Alternative Tentacles 3/09
The Essential Pansy Division
Alternative Tentacles 1/06
Total Entertainment!
Alternative Tentacles 8/03
Absurd Pop Song Romance
Lookout 9/98
More Lovin' From Our Oven
Lookout 8/97
Wish I'd Taken Pictures
Lookout 2/96
Pileup
Lookout 2/95
Deflowered
Lookout 6/94
Undressed
Lookout 3/93
You can read more about them on their official website: www.pansydivision.com/Biography/pd_biography.html
Deep Water
Pansy Division Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The bottom of despair
Hormones raging, going crazy
It there another boy who cares?
Deep water
Pulling me down
Deep water
I hear the gays go to San Francisco
That's so far away from here
School's a jail, at home, I've failed
A life of pain and fear
Deep water
Pulling me down
Deep water
Afraid I'll drown
Two more years now, before I get out
That's a lifetime to wait
Try to hold on, put my thick skin on
'Til I make my escape
Deep water
Pulling me down
Deep water
Afraid I'll drown
Deep water
Deep water
Deep water
The lyrics to Pansy Division's song "Deep Water" convey the feelings of a young person who is struggling with their sexuality, feeling trapped and alone. The opening lines express a sense of hopelessness and despair, as the singer feels there is no way out of their situation. The reference to hormones raging and the question of whether there is another boy who cares suggests a same-sex attraction that the singer feels unable to express openly. The repeated refrain of "Deep water, pulling me down, afraid I'll drown" emphasizes the sense of overwhelming pressure and fear that the singer is experiencing.
The second verse moves on to explore some of the reasons why the singer feels so trapped. The line "I hear the gays go to San Francisco" refers to the idea of the city as a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community, but also highlights the distance and isolation the singer is feeling. The reference to school as a jail and a life of pain and fear suggests that the singer feels trapped and powerless in many aspects of their life, not just their sexuality. The repeated refrain of "Deep water, pulling me down, afraid I'll drown" continues to emphasize the sense of suffocating pressure and fear that the singer is experiencing.
The final verse expresses some hope for the future, as the singer looks forward to a time when they can escape their current situation. The line "Two more years now, before I get out, that's a lifetime to wait" suggests that the singer is counting down the days until they can leave behind their current life and start anew. The repeated refrain of "Deep water, pulling me down, afraid I'll drown" takes on a slightly different meaning here, as the singer acknowledges the difficulty of holding on for so long and the fear that they may not make it to the other side.
Overall, "Deep Water" is a powerful and poignant depiction of the struggles that many young LGBTQ+ people face as they navigate their identities and try to find their place in the world. The repeated refrain of "Deep water, pulling me down, afraid I'll drown" serves as a powerful reminder of the constant fear and pressure that can accompany this process, but the song ends on a note of hope and determination to hold on until things get better.
Line by Line Meaning
So sad now, no way out
Feeling incredibly unhappy at the moment with no perceived solution or escape
The bottom of despair
In a very low, depressed state of mind
Hormones raging, going crazy
Experiencing intense hormonal changes and emotions that feel overwhelming
It there another boy who cares?
Worrying about whether there is someone else who can relate to and empathize with the struggles being faced
Deep water
Metaphor for feeling deeply submerged in negative emotions
Pulling me down
Feeling like these emotions are dragging one deeper and deeper into a negative state
Afraid I'll drown
Fearing that the intensity of the emotions will become too much to handle and lead to a destructive outcome
I hear the gays go to San Francisco
Referring to the idea that San Francisco is known for its LGBTQ+ community and culture and could be seen as a potential safe haven
That's so far away from here
Feeling trapped and stuck in an environment that is not accepting, and that the prospect of moving to a more accepting city seems unattainable
School's a jail, at home, I've failed
Feeling trapped and suffocated by one's current circumstances, with no sense of progress or hope
A life of pain and fear
Feeling like life is dominated by negative emotions and experiences
Two more years now, before I get out
Feeling like there is a long time to wait until a situation can potentially improve or change
That's a lifetime to wait
Emphasizing the intensity of the wait ahead, with each day feeling like an eternity
Try to hold on, put my thick skin on
Attempting to endure difficult circumstances by toughening oneself mentally and emotionally
'Til I make my escape
Holding out hope for a future where circumstances are improved and more positive
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Fred Rose, Don Grusin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind