Produced by David Balfe
Rele… Read Full Bio ↴Written by Jill Bryson and Rose McDowall
Produced by David Balfe
Released 1984 as the b-side to Since Yesterday
By the Sea
Strawberry Switchblade Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Close to you
By the sea
And I know that you would
want to be there too
Where the sea is green
and the sky is oh so blue
on the beach we two
We could roll down our socks
and kick off both our shoes
We can drift on a raft
until late afternoon
If we stayed a bit longer
it would still be far too soon
There's an island out there
where I'd like to go and hide
And when we get tired
we can drift back with the tide
I'm so glad we came
To the seaside
In the rain
But now
Its time to go
We drive our car
Very slow
The song "By The Sea" by Strawberry Switchblade is a beautiful ballad about the desire to be near the ones we love, specifically by the sea. The singer longs to be close to the person they love and imagines walking together on the beach, rolling down their socks, and kicking off their shoes. The sea is described as green and the sky as oh so blue, highlighting the picturesque beauty of the surrounding environment. The singer suggests drifting on a raft until late afternoon and even visiting a nearby island they can hide on. However, despite the idyllic setting, the song ends with the realization that it's time to go, and they drive their car very slowly, presumably trying to hold on to the memories of their time together by the sea.
It's a lovely, romantic song that speaks to the power of nature and how it can inspire feelings of affection and closeness in us. The sea, with its beauty and vastness, is a symbol of the infinite possibilities that exist between two people in love. In essence, the song is saying that when we are with the people we love, we can create our own paradise, no matter where we are or what our circumstances may be. It's a message that is both timeless and universal, and one that resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish I could be
Expressing a strong desire to be in close proximity to the other person
Close to you
Physically near the other person
By the sea
By the ocean, where one can feel relaxed and at ease
And I know that you would
Confident in the assumption that the other person would want to be there as well
want to be there too
Would also desire to be by the sea in each other's company
Where the sea is green
Referring to an idyllic environment where the ocean has a stunning green hue
and the sky is oh so blue
Describing the picturesque scene with vivid blue skies
We could walk together
Suggesting an activity that both individuals can enjoy together
on the beach we two
On the sandy shoreline that borders the water
We could roll down our socks
Proposing a carefree activity such as folding down one's socks
and kick off both our shoes
Inviting the other person to also take off their footwear and feel more relaxed
We can drift on a raft
A recreational option to float down the ocean without concern
until late afternoon
A fun activity to enjoy through a good part of the day
If we stayed a bit longer
Understanding the temptation to continue to bask in the experience
it would still be far too soon
Even if more time spent, the belief that the occasion would still seem too brief
There's an island out there
Mentioning a nearby island that could serve as a retreat
where I'd like to go and hide
A place of refuge and isolation where they can be alone
And when we get tired
Anticipating that at some point, exhaustion will set in
we can drift back with the tide
Making plans for an easy return trip back with the tide's natural motion
I'm so glad we came
Expressing happiness about the decision to go to the seaside
To the seaside
Referring to the overall environment of being near the sea
In the rain
Although it may have rained, it did not detract from the enjoyment of the experience
But now
Acknowledging a return to reality
Its time to go
Knowing that the experience must come to an end
We drive our car
Transportation mode used to leave the seaside
Very slow
Driving cautiously, perhaps reflecting reluctance to leave the experience behind and return to daily life
Contributed by Ethan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.