Don't Drink The Water
Tears for Fears Lyrics


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This a religion
No, this a drag
That man over there is smoking sweet cigarettes
Hey look at that fag !

I had a dream
I saw you swim
Sink to your grave
Down to Davy Jone's locker
Under the waves
Don't say " Thank God for simple truths"

Take me to your leader
Take me for a ride
The shutters were never open
The day I used to hide
All of the things
I never knew
I should have said
When you looked like Frida Kahlo
Curled up in bed
Don't say " Thank God for simple truths "
Don't drink the water, baby
Don't drink the water, baby

So much emotion, these eyes a strange kind of blue
Deep as the ocean, they named a sea after you
Don't say " Thank God for simple truths "





Don't drink the water, baby [Repeat: x4]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Tears for Fears's song "Don't Drink The Water" are filled with social commentary and critique. The opening lines "This a religion, No, this a drag" suggest the film and restraints of organized religion, which can feel like a "drag" for those not fully invested in the faith. The lines "That man over there is smoking sweet cigarettes, Hey look at that fag!" highlight the hypocrisy within society where it is deemed acceptable for some vices like smoking, while other "vices" like homosexuality are ostracized.


The verses get deeper into the emotional struggles of the writer. In the lines "I had a dream, I saw you swim, Sink to your grave, Down to Davy Jone's locker, Under the waves" we can see a sense of loss, grief and despair. The writer ends the verse with "Don't say 'Thank God for simple truths,'" which could be interpreted as a call to not take the easy route of justifying life's difficulties as the will of God.


The final lines "So much emotion, these eyes a strange kind of blue, Deep as the ocean, they named a sea after you" alludes possibly to the deep sadness and anguish the writer may feel that is associated with the colour blue. The concluding message is a repetition of the line "Don't drink the water, baby," which could be an allusion to the phrase "ignorance is bliss," or the idea that it's better not to know everything.


Line by Line Meaning

This a religion
This situation has become a deeply ingrained part of my life and daily routine.


No, this a drag
Actually, this situation is becoming more and more tedious and unpleasant.


That man over there is smoking sweet cigarettes
There is someone nearby smoking very pleasant, aromatic cigarettes.


Hey, look at that fag!
Derogatory slang term suggesting that someone nearby is likely homosexual or behaving in a stereotypically feminine way.


I had a dream
I experienced a vivid and memorable dream while sleeping.


I saw you swim
In my dream, I watched as you swam through the water with ease.


Sink to your grave
Despite your swimming prowess, in the dream you eventually drown and sink down to the bottom of the ocean.


Down to Davy Jone's locker
As per nautical legend, your sinking would lead you to the watery depths where Davy Jones supposedly keeps the souls of dead sailors.


Under the waves
Metaphorically, this refers to being in a state of death or deep despair.


Don't say 'Thank God for simple truths'
Don't rely too heavily on easy or pat answers to life's complex problems.


Take me to your leader
Use an alien abduction scenario as a way to humorously request to speak with someone in charge or who is more knowledgeable.


Take me for a ride
Allow me to join you and experience something new and interesting.


The shutters were never open
The singer was once locked away or hiding from the world, never opening up to others.


The day I used to hide
Reflecting on a time in the past when the singer was more introverted and less confident.


All of the things I never knew I should have said
Regret over not being more vocal or communicative in the past, especially towards someone they cared about.


When you looked like Frida Kahlo curled up in bed
A nostalgic memory of a past lover or muse, who resembled the famous artist in some way while lying in bed.


So much emotion, these eyes a strange kind of blue
The artist is overwhelmed with intense emotions and feels out of sorts, like something within them has changed.


Deep as the ocean, they named a sea after you
The singer's beloved has intensely deep and vast feelings/emotional depth.


Don't drink the water, baby
Possibly tied to themes of corruption or negativity, suggesting metaphorically that there is something dangerous, unclean or harmful in the 'waters' the singer is navigating - basically asking to be careful what they consume.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: ALAN GRIFFITHS, ROLAND ORZABAL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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