<… Read Full Bio ↴Shane Koyczan is an award winning Canadian Poet, Author and Performer.
Shane’s first published collection, Visiting Hours, was the only work of poetry selected by both the Guardian and the Globe and Mail for their Best Books of the Year lists.
In 2012, Shane released his first full length album with his band Shane Koyczan and the Short Story Long. The album includes the viral hit “To This Day”.
Swallowed
Shane Koyczan and the Short Story Long Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
In his own cunning way,
My friend has told me about his girlfriend's oral sex habits
guess what girlfriend's favorite bird is
what, friend for life?
The swallow
instantly, i know what he's talking about
Not because I'm fixated on oral sex
he almost wants to run out and show the world
He's almost the entire world will stare at them in awe
Like they were mighty locks of samson
enough to ensure me a place in history
As there is certainly
more to the lyrics of "Swallowed" by Shane Koyczan and the Short Story Long than just their explicit sexual content. The song discusses the theme of intimacy and how people experience it differently. The verse "Dark and saucy!" expresses the combination of negative and positive emotions that the singer is feeling.
The following lines, "In his own cunning way, my friend has told me about his girlfriend's oral sex habits, guess what girlfriend's favorite bird is, what, friend for life?" talks about how the singer is feeling a certain kinship with his friend for sharing such an intimate detail about his girlfriend. The use of "swallow" as a reference to the act of oral sex indicates the level of vulnerability and trust that his friend has with his girlfriend.
The line "It's just that his voice had its certain tone when it's lightening things to any kind of sex" talks about how the tone in which his friend talks about sex makes it seem like he is taking it lightly. This also highlights the difference in how different people experience intimacy and how they express it. The chorus of the song repeats the word "swallowed," which further emphasizes the intimacy and vulnerability that the singer experiences.
Contributed by Mila G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@savannhcochrane5931
this is one of the best things I've ever heard.
@slicedgrapes
I remeber my first time hearing this.