Floating Down The River
Tears for Fears Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've got a bone to pick with you
'Cause you're lovin' every minute of the day
Lost in a space between the lines
Seems like life begins at forty anyway

Must be a case of spot not feather
Even though they're boxed together
The orchestra is dead

Emil's Jacuzzi, starting to lose me
Didn't I warn you
(Floating down the river once again)
Solomon Juneau, someone that you know
How we adore you
(Floating down the river once again)

I've got a plastic cross to bear
Gonna pick it up and crash into the sun
Fly on a rare collision course
When the race is over just as it's begun

Scientists will pay for this
And rue the day they ever tried
To change your world

Emil's Jacuzzi, starting to lose me
Didn't I warn you
(Floating down the river once again)
Solomon Juneau, someone that you know
How we adore you
(Floating down the river once again)

Ave Neru Salam
Your secret life is written in your hand
Toy guns for everyone
You're needed now, a change is gonna come

Scientists will pay for this
And rue the day they ever tried
To change your world

Emil's Jacuzzi, starting to lose me
Didn't I warn you
(Floating down the river once again)
Solomon Juneau, someone that you know
How we adore you
(Floating down the river once again)

Emil's Jacuzzi, starting to lose me
Didn't I warn you
(Floating down the river once again)
Solomon Juneau, someone that you know
How we adore you
(Floating down the river once again)

Emil's Jacuzzi
Emil's Jacuzzi




Emil's Jacuzzi
Emil's Jacuzzi

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Floating Down the River" by Tears for Fears are quite cryptic, with a lot of abstract language and odd references. The opening line, "I've got a bone to pick with you," sets the tone for the song: it's about disappointment and frustration. It seems like the singer is addressing someone who is enjoying life a little too much, while they themselves are struggling to find meaning.


The line "Lost in a space between the lines" is particularly interesting, as it suggests a sense of disorientation and confusion. The next two lines seem to be a commentary on aging: "Seems like life begins at forty anyway / Must be a case of spot not feather." The meaning of "spot not feather" is a bit unclear, but it could refer to something being clearly different or distinctive, rather than blending in.


The next section of the song introduces some more strange references: Emil's Jacuzzi, Solomon Juneau, and Ave Neru Salam. These names sound like they could be references to real people, but it's not immediately clear who they are. The lyrics "Didn't I warn you" suggest that whatever these references are, they have negative connotations.


The final lines of the song return to the theme of scientists trying to change the world and facing consequences. The repetition of the lines about Emil's Jacuzzi and Solomon Juneau suggest that these names are significant, but the meaning is left up to interpretation.


Overall, "Floating Down the River" is a song with a lot of enigmatic language and mysterious references. The meaning is far from clear, but the melancholy and disillusionment of the lyrics are palpable.


Line by Line Meaning

I've got a bone to pick with you
I have an issue to discuss with you


'Cause you're lovin' every minute of the day
You seem to be really enjoying yourself


Lost in a space between the lines
Feeling like something is missing or unclear


Seems like life begins at forty anyway
Life seems to improve at an older age


Must be a case of spot not feather
There must be a distinction between things that seem similar


Even though they're boxed together
Despite being together in the same group


The orchestra is dead
The sound or harmony is gone


Emil's Jacuzzi, starting to lose me
The situation with Emil's Jacuzzi is becoming confusing or problematic


Didn't I warn you
Didn't I tell you about this


(Floating down the river once again)
(Doing the same thing as before)


Solomon Juneau, someone that you know
A familiar person named Solomon Juneau


How we adore you
How we admire or love you


I've got a plastic cross to bear
I have a burdensome responsibility


Gonna pick it up and crash into the sun
Going to face this responsibility head on, even if it ends in failure


Fly on a rare collision course
Going towards a collision path that is unlikely


When the race is over just as it's begun
When something ends before it really started


Scientists will pay for this
Scientists will suffer the consequences


And rue the day they ever tried
And regret the decision to attempt something


To change your world
To alter the way things are done or viewed in your world


Ave Neru Salam
A Latin phrase that means 'hail, peaceful light'


Your secret life is written in your hand
Your true nature is evident or exposed


Toy guns for everyone
A play on the idea of violence and power


You're needed now, a change is gonna come
You are necessary for change to occur


Emil's Jacuzzi, starting to lose me
The situation with Emil's Jacuzzi is becoming confusing or problematic


Didn't I warn you
Didn't I tell you about this


(Floating down the river once again)
(Doing the same thing as before)


Solomon Juneau, someone that you know
A familiar person named Solomon Juneau


How we adore you
How we admire or love you


Emil's Jacuzzi, starting to lose me
The situation with Emil's Jacuzzi is becoming confusing or problematic


Didn't I warn you
Didn't I tell you about this


(Floating down the river once again)
(Doing the same thing as before)


Solomon Juneau, someone that you know
A familiar person named Solomon Juneau


How we adore you
How we admire or love you


Emil's Jacuzzi
The situation with Emil's Jacuzzi


Emil's Jacuzzi
The situation with Emil's Jacuzzi


Emil's Jacuzzi
The situation with Emil's Jacuzzi


Emil's Jacuzzi
The situation with Emil's Jacuzzi




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Roland Orzabal

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@markleaning107

What a tune

@tonygarro960

Listen El Edificio by Bacilos..I find both with some similarities

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