Driftwood
Pink Ariel Lyrics
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Look into the canine eye
The bad breath of a cross-eyed goat
Meeting children for a Monday morning
Laughter in the hangman's eye
Look into his heart so clear
Look into a heart that's right
Can't beat it off, can't beat it off at night
Moved a memory to strip for tea and smoke
Driftwood blocking up the shore dam
Short dam liquid in the phone line
Driftwood clogging up the oil well
Damsel waiting in the long line
Driftwood blocking up the shore dam
Short dam liquid in the phone line
Driftwood clogging up the oil well
Damsel waiting in the long line
Driftwood blocking up the short dam
Spiders pass along through the grass
Eating up my pampered eyes
And Dyer's country had a fair
Tokens gathered at the bar
Music on the TV screen
Never really had it all
Driftwood blocking up the short dam
Short dam liquid in the phone line
Driftwood clogging up the oil well
Damsel waiting in the long line
Driftwood blocking up the short dam
Short dam driftwood in the landline
Driftwood clogging up the oil well
Damsel waiting in the long line
Driftwood blocking up the short dam
Short dam driftwood in the phone line
Driftwood clogging up the oil well
The first stanza of Pink Ariel's "Driftwood" has seemingly random nonsensical lines, with disconnected phrases and images. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that Pink Ariel is employing a surrealist technique called "automatic writing," where the writer allows their subconscious to flow freely without censoring themselves. The lines are not supposed to have a logical narrative, but to evoke emotions and concepts subconsciously. From "Oh my God, my dog's got hair" to "Meeting children for a Monday morning," these lyrics are a stream of consciousness that takes us through different images and sensations.
In the second stanza, there is a clear repetition of the phrase "Driftwood blocking up the shore dam." This phrase can be interpreted in several ways. It could mean the driftwood is causing a physical hindrance to water flow, or it could refer to something else blocking up a metaphorical dam. Additionally, the lines "Short dam liquid in the phone line" and "Driftwood clogging up the oil well" could be read as further examples of a physical or metaphorical blockage. Lastly, the repeated phrase "Damsel waiting in the long line" could be interpreted to mean someone is waiting for something long overdue, but the use of the word "damsel" suggests it could be a more archaic and gendered usage.
Overall, "Driftwood" by Pink Ariel is a song that relies on surrealistic imagery and automatic writing principles to evoke certain emotions and ideas rather than constructing a coherent narrative. The second stanza's repetition of "Driftwood blocking up the shore dam" and related imagery creates a motif throughout the song, which could suggest different forms of blockages, maybe in life or creativity.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh my God, my dog's got hair
Expresses surprise or amazement at something that is commonplace or expected
Look into the canine eye
Encourages the listener to look more deeply and carefully at things
The bad breath of a cross-eyed goat
Depicts something unpleasant or unattractive in a humorous way
Meeting children for a Monday morning
Suggests an unusual or unexpected situation
Laughter in the hangman's eye
Depicts a dark or sinister situation in a lighthearted way
Look into his heart so clear
Encourages the listener to look more deeply and carefully at things
Look into a heart that's right
Encourages the listener to seek out goodness and sincerity in others
Can't beat it off, can't beat it off at night
Suggests an uncontrollable desire that persists even during sleep
Tomorrow Jeannie and Jackie elope
Suggests an unexpected or scandalous event
Moved a memory to strip for tea and smoke
Suggests a private or personal moment that involves nostalgia and relaxation
Driftwood blocking up the shore dam
Depicts a natural obstacle that impedes progress or causes damage
Short dam liquid in the phone line
Depicts a technical malfunction or disruption
Driftwood clogging up the oil well
Depicts a manmade obstacle that impedes progress or causes damage
Damsel waiting in the long line
Depicts a woman in a difficult or frustrating situation
Spiders pass along through the grass
Depicts a peaceful or natural scene with a hint of danger
Eating up my pampered eyes
Suggests an indulgent or self-centered attitude
And Dyer's country had a fair
Suggests an idyllic or peaceful time or place
Tokens gathered at the bar
Depicts a social space or activity
Music on the TV screen
Depicts a moment of entertainment and relaxation
Never really had it all
Suggests a feeling of inadequacy or unfulfillment
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ARIEL ROSENBERG, JOE KENNEDY, KENNETH GILMORE, TIM KOH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind