Tidal Wave
The Killers Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

He's always trouble with his non-complacent
Shotgun eyes, shotgun eyes
His subtlety, his mystery
Not like the other guys
She's always taken by his reputation
He's so bad, he's so bad
On Saturday night they're running for the shadow
You say your heart ain't ever been broken
You think you know where you're goin'
Tidal wave, tidal wave
Come rushing over me
You say this life is giving you nothin'
You got another thing comin'
Tidal wave, tidal wave
Come rushing over me

You get a warning sign to keep his distance
From her old man, from her old man
Now the story of forbidden love is gonna make a stand
So in the middle of the early mornin'
They slip away, slip away
And we know they'll do their best
Somewhere in the golden West, oh yeah
We'll watch and drive
And they're so alive

You say your heart ain't ever been broken
You think you know where youre goin'
Tidal wave, tidal wave
Come rushing over me
You say this life is giving you nothin'
You got another thing comin'
Tidal wave, tidal wave
Come rushing over me
Tidal wave

These tidal waves are caught off track
Come tomorrow 'cause I can't go back
All together, can't you see?
Tidal wave gonna cover me

These tidal waves are caught off track
Come tomorrow 'cause I can't go back
Come together, can't you see?
Tidal wave gonna cover me

Cover me




I can't go back
Can't you see?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Killers' song "Tidal Wave" seem to tell the story of a couple who are drawn to each other despite the warning signs that their love might be forbidden or dangerous. The male partner is described as having "shotgun eyes" and a reputation for being bad, while the female partner is warned to keep her distance from her old man. However, the two of them slip away in the early morning and we're told that they're "so alive" as they make their way towards the "golden West." The chorus repeats the phrase "tidal wave" several times, urging it to come "rushing over me" as a symbol of the overwhelming passion and excitement of this forbidden love.


Despite the catchy melody and upbeat tone of the song, there are also hints of darkness and danger throughout the lyrics. References to shotguns and forbidden love suggest that the couple might be engaging in risky behavior, while the repeated phrase "caught off track" implies that they may be headed towards an inevitable disaster. The final lines of the song, where the singer laments that he "can't go back" and invites the tidal wave to "cover me," suggest that the consequences of this love affair may be irreversible.


Line by Line Meaning

He's always trouble with his non-complacent
He's a difficult person who is never satisfied and always looking for something more.


Shotgun eyes, shotgun eyes
He has a piercing gaze that can be intimidating and threatening.


His subtlety, his mystery
He has a quiet and unassuming demeanor that is hard to read and understand.


Not like the other guys
He stands out from other men and is perceived as different or unique.


She's always taken by his reputation
She is attracted to his risky and dangerous persona.


He's so bad, he's so bad
He is deeply flawed but alluring in his imperfection.


On Saturday night they're running for the shadow
They escape into the night and try to hide from the consequences of their actions.


You say your heart ain't ever been broken
You claim to have never experienced emotional pain or heartache.


You think you know where you're goin'
You believe you have a clear path and are confident in your future plans.


Tidal wave, tidal wave
The intense and overwhelming force of emotions that can come when one is faced with unexpected adversity and heartbreak.


Come rushing over me
These emotions hit hard and fast, like a giant wave crashing onto the shore.


You say this life is giving you nothin'
You feel unfulfilled and disillusioned with the current state of your life.


You got another thing comin'
You are mistaken and there is more to discover or experience that you have not yet considered.


You get a warning sign to keep his distance
You are advised to stay away and not get involved with something or someone that could be dangerous or harmful.


From her old man, from her old man
The father figure in this girl's life is particularly protective and may pose a threat.


Now the story of forbidden love is gonna make a stand
Despite the risks and obstacles that come with it, this relationship will not falter and will hold its ground.


So in the middle of the early mornin'
They sneak away in the quietest hours of the day to avoid detection.


They slip away, slip away
They escape under cover of darkness and try to keep their activities secret.


And we know they'll do their best
Despite the challenges they face, they will try their hardest to make it work.


Somewhere in the golden West, oh yeah
This love story takes place in a romanticized and idealized version of the American West.


We'll watch and drive
As outsiders looking in, we will observe their journey and progress from a distance.


And they're so alive
Despite the danger and risk, they are living life to the fullest and truly experiencing everything it has to offer.


These tidal waves are caught off track
These intense emotions can come unexpectedly and throw one's life off course.


Come tomorrow 'cause I can't go back
The past cannot be changed and regret can be overwhelming.


All together, can't you see?
We are all in this together, experiencing the same emotions and uncertainty.


Tidal wave gonna cover me
The power of these emotions will completely consume and overwhelm the person experiencing them.


Cover me
Protect me from the overwhelming force of these emotions.


I can't go back
I cannot change the past or undo what has been done.


Can't you see?
Can't you see the struggle and pain that I am going through?




Contributed by Xavier T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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