Black Wave
The Shins Lyrics
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Around the block and airborne blind
But looking on the brighter side
There's far less to which I'd be obliged
In the meadow where the black breeze blows
Where underneath the waves, you were most alone
Can you hear a subtle, aching tone?
Looking on the brighter side
Looking on the brighter side
Looking on the brighter side
Looking on the brighter side
Looking on the brighter side
Looking on the brighter side
In "Black Wave," James Mercer of The Shins explores themes of hopelessness, loneliness, and isolation in a world where it seems everything is falling apart. The opening lines, "This goose is cooked, these tongues are tied," seem to imply a sense of defeat or resignation, as if the singer is resigned to the fact that everything is going downhill and there's nothing they can do to stop it. The next line, "Around the block and airborne blind," suggests a sense of disorientation or confusion, as if the singer is lost and doesn't know where to turn.
Despite this sense of hopelessness, the chorus of the song provides a glimmer of optimism, with the repeated refrain of "Looking on the brighter side." It's as if the singer is telling themselves to focus on the good things in life, even in the midst of all the chaos and despair. The verse about the "meadow where the black breeze blows" and "underneath the waves" seems to be a metaphor for feeling trapped or suffocated, but even in that dark place, there's still a "subtle, aching tone" that can be heard.
Line by Line Meaning
This goose is cooked, these tongues are tied
Things are not going well and we are struggling to communicate
Around the block and airborne blind
We are lost and have no idea where to go next
But looking on the brighter side
Despite the difficulties, we are trying to be optimistic
There's far less to which I'd be obliged
There are fewer obligations or responsibilities than we thought
In the meadow where the black breeze blows
We are in a dark and mysterious place
Where underneath the waves, you were most alone
We are feeling isolated and disconnected from others
Can you hear a subtle, aching tone?
We are trying to find meaning in our struggles and hear a message in the pain
Through the water, through the Earth, trimmed up bone
We are searching for something deeper and more profound than what first meets the eye
Looking on the brighter side
We keep trying to stay positive despite the challenges
Looking on the brighter side
We keep trying to stay positive despite the challenges
Looking on the brighter side
We keep trying to stay positive despite the challenges
Looking on the brighter side
We keep trying to stay positive despite the challenges
Looking on the brighter side
We keep trying to stay positive despite the challenges
Looking on the brighter side
We keep trying to stay positive despite the challenges
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: James Russell Mercer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Greatoraint
This goose is cooked, these tongues are tied
Around the block, an airborne blight
But looking on the brighter side
There's far less to which I'd be obliged
In the meadow where the black breeze blows
Where underneath the waves, you were most alone
Can you hear a subtle, aching tone?
Through the water, through the Earth, trimmed up bone
Looking on the brighter side
Looking on the brighter side
Looking on the brighter side
Looking on the brighter side
Greatoraint
This goose is cooked, these tongues are tied
Around the block, an airborne blight
But looking on the brighter side
There's far less to which I'd be obliged
In the meadow where the black breeze blows
Where underneath the waves, you were most alone
Can you hear a subtle, aching tone?
Through the water, through the Earth, trimmed up bone
Looking on the brighter side
Looking on the brighter side
Looking on the brighter side
Looking on the brighter side
Nicolas Price
Masterpiece
Spin Al-Fluid
This is probably my favorite song on the album. It's just so... spooky?
Lindy Edwards
Mine too. It's seductive with the string guitar and humming. But the lyrics are ominous. It's not weird; they know how to get to you. It's a life lesson to ignore them.
Isapizza 9191
I reminds me of the ocean
heybigskoal
Best track off this album.
Derek Price
Love this song. It's my favorite off the "Arctic Tale" soundtrack!
Sulyi Bosnjakovic
This is probably their most emo song. Love it
Tom De Raedt
Is it weird this song makes me super happy?
Patrick Bateman
Nope. I love this song. Matches my mood.