Singing in the local church choirs as a boy, studying jazz and classical piano performance, composition, and arrangement, and singing and playing keyboards in the ska band Gangster Politics in high school. Watson left the band after graduating and began to explore other types of music, including electronica and ambient. In 2002, after returning from a trip to Vietnam, he decided to start a four-piece chamber pop group, bringing in bassist Mishka Stein, drummer Robbie Kuster (both of whom he had met at university), and former Gangster Politics guitarist Simon Angell. The group (which was technically a solo project with a backing band) released Just Another Ordinary Day (2003) independently.
In 2001 Watson released his first own solo debut, Waterproof9 and in 2006 his second, Close to Paradise. Early in 2007, Watson was nominated for a Juno Canada's music award in the New Artist of the Year category.
His band's song "The Great Escape" was featured on a third-season episode of Grey's Anatomy.
He co-wrote and performed on several songs on The Cinematic Orchestra's 2007 album Ma Fleur including the opening track "To Build a Home". His "Missing You" remix of Champion's "Guy Doune", from Champion's 2006 album The Remix Album, reached #1 on CBC Radio 3's R3-30 chart in early 2007.
Patrick Watson (the band) also won the prestigeous Polaris Music Prize (Canada) in 2007.
Website: www.patrickwatson.net
Man Under The Sea
Patrick Watson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was looking out for me
To be a better man, to be a better man
I was hiding underneath the sea
I was looking out for me
Just me, the fish and the sea
Just me, the fish and the sea
Just me, the fish and the sea
Just me, the fish and the sea
Hide from all your apathy
'Cause I was born a noise machine
Wait I still, I was born again
In Patrick Watson's song Man Under The Sea, the lyrics depict a protagonist who is hiding under the sea, trying to find self-improvement. He seeks to become a better man and hide from the apathy of the world. The setting of the sea allows him to detach from the noise of human existence and immerse himself in the music of the natural world. The repetition of "just me, the fish and the sea" highlights the sense of isolation and introspection as the man tries to better understand himself.
The mention of being a "noise machine" and being "born again" indicates a sense of rebirth and transformation. Perhaps the man has experienced a significant event or realization that has led him to seek self-improvement. The music that is "so much louder" under the sea represents a new perspective that allows him to connect with himself on a deeper level.
Overall, the lyrics of Man Under The Sea convey a desire for self-improvement and a need for introspection away from the noise of the world. The setting of the sea represents a new perspective that allows the singer to reflect and grow.
Line by Line Meaning
I was hiding underneath the sea here
The singer is describing a state of isolation and seclusion in which he had hidden himself underwater.
I was looking out for me
The singer was only focused on his own needs and desires while in hiding.
To be a better man, to be a better man
The singer is expressing a desire to improve himself and become a better version of himself.
Just me, the fish and the sea
The artist was alone underwater, with only fish for company and the vast expanse of the sea around him.
Oh 'cause the music was so much louder
The artist is suggesting that he went underwater to escape the noise and chaos of the world above ground.
Hide from all your apathy
The singer is encouraging the listener to avoid becoming indifferent to the world and instead to stay engaging and connected to it.
'Cause I was born a noise machine
The singer is recognizing that he himself is part of the noise and chaos of the world, and that he needs to get away from it sometimes to find peace.
Wait I still, I was born again
The artist is experiencing a rebirth or renewal while underwater, allowing him to emerge as a new and improved version of himself.
Contributed by Caleb I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.