Line-up
Jason Beebout (vocals)
Sergie Loobkoff (guitar)
Johnny Cruz (drums)
Sean Kennerly (guitar)
Jeremy Bergo (bass)
Discography
Samiam (1990)
Soar (1991)
Billy (1992)
Clumsy (1994)
You Are Freaking Me Out (1998)
Astray (2000)
The New Red Years (2000)
Whatever's Got You Down (2006)
Trips (2011)
Capsized
Samiam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yet I imitate you
You're in my dreams
Pushing me around
I move my mouth
I watch her cry
It's killing me
Always said I wouldn't be that way
I always said I wouldn't be that way
[Chorus]
Capsized
Cut down to size
Like colors bleed
Now they're all the same to me
I feel his hand
And I know
I'm damned
A puppet on a string
And the man behind the screen
This is the last time I treat you like that
This is the last time I act like a man
This is the last time I drink myself to sleep
This is the last time I act before I think
Oh, but the things kids say
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Samiam's "Capsized" paint a disturbing and emotional picture of someone who has been deeply affected by an abusive figure in their life. The first few lines suggest a deep hatred for this person, yet the singer admits to imitating them, showing that their influence still lingers over him. The second line takes us into the singer's subconscious, where this person still has power over him and pushes him around in dreams.
In the next lines, the singer admits to hurting someone else, to making them cry, and this is obviously killing him inside. It is likely that this behavior mirrors that of the abusive figure in his life, and the pain he has caused is something he cannot escape. The repetition of "I always said I wouldn't be that way" adds to the sense of shame and self-loathing. The chorus brings the metaphor of the title to full effect, describing the singer as cut down to size and feeling as though his individuality and identity are being bled away until everything is the same.
The reference to feeling someone's hand suggests that there is a specific person responsible for this feeling of being a puppet on a string, which is likely the same abusive figure that has been referenced throughout the song. The repeated refrain of "This is the last time" shows the singer's determination to break free from this toxic cycle of behavior and the realization that this is the only way things will change. The final line of "Oh, but the things kids say" is ambiguous, but can be interpreted as a final note of sadness and regret, suggesting that the damage has already been done, and this is something that will haunt him forever.
Line by Line Meaning
I hate you still
I continue to harbor hatred towards you
Yet I imitate you
However, I find myself imitating your actions and behavior despite my feelings towards you.
You're in my dreams
Even when I am unconscious, you seem to invade my mind and thoughts.
Pushing me around
I feel like you still have some power over me and are able to control and manipulate me.
I move my mouth
I speak to her, communicate with her.
I watch her cry
Even though I am the one causing her pain, I am still forced to observe her suffer.
It's killing me
The guilt and remorse of my actions are eating away at me and causing me pain.
And you wonder why
You express confusion and bewilderment about why I am acting this way.
Always said I wouldn't be that way
I always made a conscious decision to not be like you in my actions and behaviors.
Capsized
I feel like I am drowning and overwhelmed with emotions.
Cut down to size
I feel that I am no longer invincible or above anyone else.
Like colors bleed
Everything that once seemed unique and different to me is now blending and mixing together like paint.
Now they're all the same to me
All of the people and things in my life are starting to lose their individuality and significance.
I feel his hand
I sense that someone else is controlling and guiding my actions.
And I know I'm damned
I fully realize that my actions and decisions are leading me down a path of destruction and inevitable consequence.
A puppet on a string
I feel like my actions and behaviors are being completely dictated and manipulated by an external force.
And the man behind the screen
I know that there is someone else pulling the strings and orchestrating everything that is happening to me.
This is the last time I treat you like that
I have made a resolution to no longer treat you poorly.
This is the last time I act like a man
I am deciding to no longer associate masculinity with aggression and hostility.
This is the last time I drink myself to sleep
I am determined to no longer resort to alcohol as an escape mechanism.
This is the last time I act before I think
I am committed to no longer making impulsive decisions and instead think before I act.
Oh, but the things kids say
Even though we may have better intentions as children, we can still end up making hurtful mistakes and decisions as we grow up.
Capsized
I still feel like I am struggling and overwhelmed with my emotions and situation.
Cut down to size
I still feel like I am no longer invincible or above anyone else.
Like colors bleed
Everything that once seemed unique and different to me is now blending and mixing together like paint.
Now they're all the same to me
All of the people and things in my life are continuing to lose their individuality and significance.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JASON BEEBOUT, SERGIE LOOBKOFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@louistorres
One of the best bands ever!! This is what I listened to while driving up to go snowboarding in Vermont or Upstate New York. SamIAm and Seaweed!!
@sherlysgarage4133
oh damn!!! Same!
@abraxasjinx5207
Did you ever listen to Kill Creek? Their album Saint Valentine's Garage has very similar elements. I happened upon them through a small label sampler as a kid.
@youngstownassault2438
What a shame they never took off. They got their major label shot w this album when labels were looking for another Green Day/Offspring (which is interesting bc Green Day used to open for Samaim before they blew up!) Samiam, Jawbreaker, and others got major label shots but didn't get a hit so the major labels dropped them when the singles they released failed to chart. Really a shame bc this album was incredible. It has never left my rotation since the time it came out. Jawbreaker since has been recognized more and got to get some big reunion show/fest paydays but sadly Samaim never got that resurgence. I was able to see them prob ten years ago and they were still great live. Highly influential band that never got their due.
@seanhollon
this song really helped me through a rough spot love these guys. this whole album was fantastic
@thodorisgiannakas4692
Really hope things are better for you now m8.
@seanhollon
Yes thanks brother. Im good.
@Deist77
God I miss the 90's. The best music scene the world will ever know.
@andrewfordham3823
yeah before fall out boy and all the other 'emo' bullshit bands, pfftt
@itsmysniff4950
Agree. But the 80's with punk and hc. Never see bands like the misfits and social d again.