Formed in Miami, Florida by Matt Kramer (vocals), Jason Bieler (guitar), Tom DeFile (bass) and Phil Varone (drums), the band managed to build up a solid following in their native Florida and eventually got signed to Atlantic records. It took a mere eleven days to record the debut album, and although it got rave reviews from critics, went mostly unnoticed by the record buying public.
The band hit it big with The Lizard and its #12 charting ballad "Love Is On The Way". The success of the ballad was a double-edged sword, it gave the band access to a huge new fan base, but several people grouped the band in with the other one hit wonders of the era. Shortly after the band's success DeFile left the band and was replaced by Chris McLernon. Prior to the recording of Water, Kramer also left the band and Bieler took over on vocals. The album was a commercial disappointment in America, but the band continued to have a loyal following overseas. Two more studio albums were recorded before the band decided to call it a day.
Bieler went on to form Super Transatlantic, and surprisingly the original Saigon Kick minus Bieler rejoined with Jeff Blando on guitar for some live shows. Varone also surfaced as the drummer for Skid Row during their 2003 comeback while Kramer pursues a solo career. The group continues to tour sporadically to this very day.
WATER
Saigon Kick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know we're never going to die
Right or wrong
It still won't mend a broken heart
And I don't mind
The colors in your hair
You don't see
Pick it up again and realize
I'm never coming home
To lose it all again could capsize
My vessel on its own
Off to be
The one thing that I know I am
Stand alone
Beyond the reach of helping hands
Pick me up again and realize
I know not what I do
To lose it all again could capsize
My vessel on its
Stop me from drinking the water
In which I drown
Hold me in darkness
Beneath the water now
Water flows down
Upon your face
My love for you
Won't die
Out in the ocean
Far from any land
Sail to emptiness
The water's on my hands
Pick me up again, realize
I know not what I do
To lose it all again could capsize
My vessel on its
Only the ones in the water
Could be found
Hold me in darkness
Beneath the water now
Take me higher, take me, yeah
Take me to the higher lands
Take me, take me, yeah
Take me up to higher lands
Higher lands, I go
Take me up to higher lands
Higher lands, I go
Take me up to higher lands
Higher lands, I go
Take me up to higher lands
Higher lands, I go
Take me up to higher lands
Higher lands, I go
Take me up to higher lands
Higher lands, I go
Take me up to higher lands
Higher lands, I go
Take me up to higher lands
Higher lands, I go
Take me up to higher lands
The lyrics to Saigon Kick's song "Water" seem to revolve around themes of isolation, loss, and the struggle to find a sense of purpose or direction. The first verse begins with the assertion that "You and me / You know we're never going to die", which suggests a deep bond or connection between the singer and someone else. However, this sense of solidarity is soon undermined by the acknowledgement that even when things are right or wrong, it "still won't mend a broken heart". This seems to suggest that even a strong bond or sense of loyalty can't always protect us from feeling lost or hurt.
The second verse further emphasizes the sense of isolation or dislocation, as the singer describes feeling adrift and unsure of their own motives or actions. They ask to be picked up again and realize that they don't know what they're doing, and worry that to lose everything again could capsize their "vessel", or their own sense of self. The third verse introduces more concrete imagery, with the repetition of the line "Stop me from drinking the water / In which I drown". This line seems to suggest that the singer feels overwhelmed or trapped by something, and is desperate for someone or something to pull them back from the brink.
The chorus of "Water" is relatively straightforward, repeating the plea to be taken to "higher lands". This could be interpreted as a call for escape, either from the problems and struggles described in the previous verses or from a more general sense of stagnation or despair. Overall, the lyrics to "Water" suggest that even deep relationships or connections can't always protect us from feeling lost and alone, and that we may need to seek out new experiences or perspectives in order to find a sense of meaning or direction in life.
Line by Line Meaning
You and me
Together, we are connected and will endure.
You know we're never going to die
Our bond will outlast death.
Right or wrong
Regardless of what happens between us.
It still won't mend a broken heart
Our love cannot fix what's already been broken.
And I don't mind
I am accepting of and content with.
The colors in your hair
The uniqueness and beauty in everything about you.
You don't see
You may not be aware of or appreciate.
The water dancing with the dead
The presence of death surrounding us and our emotions.
Pick it up again and realize
Reflect on and understand once more.
I'm never coming home
I am leaving and will not return.
To lose it all again could capsize
Risking everything again could result in catastrophe.
My vessel on its own
I am alone and responsible for my own fate.
Off to be
Going to become or transform into.
The one thing that I know I am
Discovering and fulfilling my identity or purpose.
Stand alone
Being independent and self-sufficient.
Beyond the reach of helping hands
Without assistance, support or guidance from others.
I know not what I do
I am unsure and ignorant of my actions.
Stop me from drinking the water
Prevent me from consuming something harmful or negative.
In which I drown
That suffocates and overwhelms me.
Hold me in darkness
Embrace me during a difficult or uncertain time.
Beneath the water now
Buried in my emotions and submerged in my struggles.
Water flows down
The natural course of events, change or time.
Upon your face
Showing the effects of experience or emotion.
My love for you
The deep and abiding affection I have for you.
Won't die
Will endure and persist over time.
Out in the ocean
In a vast and unpredictable environment.
Far from any land
Isolated and without refuge or support.
Sail to emptiness
Navigate through nothingness or futility.
The water's on my hands
I am responsible for my actions and their consequences.
Only the ones in the water
Only those who have undergone the same struggles.
Could be found
Can truly understand and relate.
Take me higher
Elevate me to a better state or situation.
Take me to the higher lands
Bring me to a place of greater worth or fulfillment.
Higher lands, I go
I am moving towards a more positive and meaningful future.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JASON L. BIELER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
anthony barnes
This song helped me soooo much mentally and spiritually when I was in a bad place . Thank you Siagon kick .
Paul Boswell
I think Saigon was ahead of their time. They had a sound that didn't seem to get popular until almost ten years later. :(
Michał
U guys forgot about Jane Addiction and Faith No More?
Jerry S
that loop and bass are spacey
Jamie Kensley
Paul Boswell Agreed. Even later!
gdk5514
What an amazing composition. This masterpiece takes so many twist and turns.... combining a “neo electronic” drum beat with an almost bag pipe drone throughout.... then the climax.... southern gospel finish. What a ride! Thanks SK
Robin Olsson
I discovered Saigon back in '91, when I started a new school, 16 yrs old, in Sweden. I thought it was so cool that they had recorded their debutalbum just outside Stockholm where I'm born and raised. Still love'em. I, to, has allways been surprised they never got bigger than the did. Strange.
Robin Olsson
+Robbie Stewart That's great intel. Thanx! I used to have all their albums. Even that one called "Moments from the Fringe". AND a few songs with Bielers other band, Supertrans Atlantic. Sometimes I think I hear stuff in other's songs that seems inspired by Saigon, but it's probably just coincidents...
Listen to MIKAs "Kids", and see if you can hear it too...!
Robbie Stewart
+Robin Olsson They didn't get bigger because during the recording sessions for "Water," which was also recorded in Sweden by the way, several of their members started getting the big head as what typically happens with musicians and they started getting greedy. All of which lead to one of the vocalists leaving the band during the sessions and the guitar player having to step in on vocals by himself and finishing work on the album being moved to a studio in Florida, USA. It later showed in the sales of "Water" not being great. So Atlantic Records dropped them from their roaster afterwards. I personally thought it was a good record and I even used to have a cassette copy of it, but a lot of people didn't. To them, it wasn't a "Love Is On The Way" type of record, nor did it sound anything like it.
Stuart Jenkins
Saw these guys live a couple of times back in the day, never understood how a band with songs this great couldn't become HUGE. See also: Warrior Soul.