There is more than one band with this name:

1) A new four-piece ban… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one band with this name:

1) A new four-piece band who describe themselves as “dark folk rock”. The Galway/Dublin band’s songs are written by Sean Leonard and arranged and played Faustina Finnerty (Vocals), Cian Hanley (Drums), Joe Padfield (Bass) with Sean (Guitar).

2) A late 70's disco band best known for the disco classic "Come Go With Me" from the 1977 album "Come Go With Us".

3) A danish rock band ,who played together from the mid nineties and disbanded in the late nineties. Their first (and only) album "The Pockets" was a huge success in Denmark with 5 hit singles on the danish charts.

4) A twinkly guitar pop band from Sydney.

How Can I
Pockets Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can't breathe
With Covid-19 I can't breathe
Like a refugee drowning in the sea
And George Floyd under a racist cops knee
From furloughed to redundant, debt ridden and failing, all wake in the night
and can't breathe.
In smoke from the fires I can't breathe
Like every battered wife strangled in lockdown

In coastal towns doomed by high tides to drown
From opera singers to the homeless, vying for patronage, all wake in the night and can't breathe
What those antimask idiots believe
Is real for those sufferimg from PTSD
Choked up with the tears as we grieve

But with 2020 vision the people are starting to see
Our governments don't care if we can breathe

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Pockets' "How Can I" touch upon a variety of issues that have impacted individuals worldwide, including the COVID-19 pandemic, racial injustice, economic struggles, domestic violence, climate change, and the general sense of unease that seems to pervade society. The opening lines, "I can't breathe, With Covid-19 I can't breathe," reference the virus that has caused widespread illness and death, while likening the experience of those affected to that of a drowning refugee or George Floyd, who died while pinned down by a police officer's knee in May 2020.

The song goes on to describe the struggles of individuals who have lost their jobs and are drowning in debt, unable to breathe under the weight of their financial worries. The smoke from fires, likely a reference to the wildfires that ravaged many parts of the United States in 2020, also makes it difficult to breathe, much like the lockdowns that have left many individuals feeling trapped and suffocated. The reference to battered wives juxtaposed with coastal towns that are doomed to drown highlights the idea that people are facing multiple struggles simultaneously, both personal and societal.

The lyrics also reference those who refuse to wear masks, suggesting that their beliefs are harmful to those who suffer from PTSD or who are grieving. Ultimately, the song is a call to action, urging people to recognize that governments do not prioritize the health and well-being of their citizens, and encouraging individuals to work together to create change.

Line by Line Meaning

I can't breathe
The singer is feeling suffocated, oppressed, and overwhelmed.

With Covid-19 I can't breathe
The pandemic is causing the singer to feel anxious and fearful about their health.

Like a refugee drowning in the sea
The singer feels like they are in danger and struggling for survival.

And George Floyd under a racist cops knee
The artist is expressing outrage and grief over systemic racism and police brutality.

From furloughed to redundant, debt ridden and failing, all wake in the night and can't breathe.
The economic impact of the pandemic is causing many people to feel hopeless and stressed.

In smoke from the fires I can't breathe
The environment is causing the singer to feel physically unwell and overwhelmed.

Like every battered wife strangled in lockdown
The singer is acknowledging the rise in domestic violence during pandemic lockdowns.

In coastal towns doomed by high tides to drown
The artist is expressing concern for the effects of climate change on vulnerable communities.

From opera singers to the homeless, vying for patronage, all wake in the night and can't breathe
The artist is highlighting the universal struggle for survival and success.

What those antimask idiots believe
The artist is calling out those who deny the severity of the pandemic.

Is real for those sufferimg from PTSD
The singer is emphasizing the significant impact of trauma on mental health.

Choked up with the tears as we grieve
The artist is expressing deep sadness and mourning.

But with 2020 vision the people are starting to see
The singer is hopeful that society is becoming more aware and proactive about systemic issues.

Our governments don't care if we can breathe
The singer is critical of political leaders who prioritize their own interests over the wellbeing of the general public.

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Mark Christopher Lee, Rob Howells

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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