Chandra and Leigh were born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, but moved to Silverlake, California in the late 1990s, where they were founding members of and backup singers for local band Slydell. They also began writing their own music and performing with other musicians, including Orphan Train, Joe Firstman, Fairchild, and Rilo Kiley and their singer Jenny Lewis.
In 2006 the Watson Twins released their debut EP, Southern Manners, almost simultaneously with Rabbit Fur Coat, their collaboration under the name Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins. The Watson Twins had previously been known as Black Swan before changing their name to accompany their album with Jenny Lewis.
Waves
The Watson Twins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
are crashing in on me
am I just drifting in an endless sea
the sirens call out to me
enchanting creatures sing soft melodies
am I floating away
underwater whilst I begin to sway
all these lives
are crashing in on me
and everyone I used to be
is it she or she or me
the painted prism from a child's dream
the storybooks they told me differently
the happy ending sailing o'er from me
all these thoughts
are crashing in on me
and does this mean my restless mind will never sleep
I toss and turn just to see
and the sea began to breathe
and I can't make out what it means
am I further from the truth I seek
all these days
are crashing in on me
from one to another
memories
moments of joy and moments of pain
at this moment they're all the same
do these these tears fall from my eyes
are they real or just the rain from the skies
all these waves
all these waves
all these waves
crashing in on me
The Watson Twins's song Waves is a deeply introspective and emotional exploration of the internal turmoil and confusion that comes with the unpredictable and tumultuous nature of life. The lyrics describe the feeling of being overwhelmed by the constant barrage of experiences and emotions, with the waves of the ocean serving as a metaphor for the uncontrollable forces of life that can toss and turn us in unexpected ways.
Throughout the song, the singer questions their own identity and sense of self, wondering if the person they used to be is still recognizable or if they have been completely lost amid the chaos of their journey. The theme of identity is further explored with the reference to the "painted prism from a child's dream," suggesting that perhaps the expectations and beliefs we hold as children are not always reflected in the realities of life.
The final stanza of the song offers a sense of resignation, the acknowledgement that life is full of both joy and pain and that they all contribute to the bigger picture of who we are. The tears that fall from the singer's eyes can be interpreted as a symbol of the release and acceptance of these emotions, as well as the realization that sometimes all we can do is ride the waves of life, letting them carry us where they may.
Line by Line Meaning
all these waves
The overwhelming feelings that the singer is experiencing
are crashing in on me
The intensity with which these feelings are affecting the singer
am I just drifting in an endless sea
The singer's sense of being lost and directionless in their emotions
the sirens call out to me
The temptations or distractions that the artist encounters when they feel overwhelmed
enchanting creatures sing soft melodies
The allure of these distractions or negative influences
am I floating away
The singer's sense of detachment from reality or their true self
underwater whilst I begin to sway
The feeling of being submerged or overwhelmed by emotions
all these lives
The different versions or identities of the artist throughout their life
and everyone I used to be
The artist's sense of change or loss of identity over time
is it she or she or me
The artist questioning which version of themselves is the true one
the painted prism from a child's dream
The singer reflecting on their childhood and the idealized version of themselves they used to imagine
the storybooks they told me differently
The artist's realization that their childhood ideals were not always realistic or attainable
the happy ending sailing o'er from me
The singer's disappointment or sense of loss when their life doesn't turn out how they imagined
all these thoughts
The constant stream of thoughts that the singer experiences
are crashing in on me
The overwhelming nature of these thoughts
and does this mean my restless mind will never sleep
The artist's worry that they will never find peace or clarity in their mind
I toss and turn just to see
The artist's efforts to gain understanding or insight into their thoughts
and the sea began to breathe
A metaphorical representation of the singer's thoughts or emotions taking on a life of their own
and I can't make out what it means
The singer's confusion about the significance or interpretation of their thoughts or emotions
am I further from the truth I seek
The artist's feeling of being further from understanding or resolution
all these days
The accumulation of time that the artist has experienced
are crashing in on me
The weight of the past on the artist's present emotions
from one to another
The passing of time and different experiences that have shaped the singer
memories
The recollection of past events or experiences
moments of joy and moments of pain
The contrasts and ups and downs of the singer's life
at this moment they're all the same
The singer's sense that all of these moments have culminated in the same feelings of overwhelm and sense of being lost
do these these tears fall from my eyes
The singer's questioning of their own emotions
are they real or just the rain from the skies
The artist's uncertainty about whether their emotions are authentic or just a reaction to external factors
all these waves
A repetition of the opening idea and the return to the overwhelming emotions the artist is experiencing
all these waves
A repetition of the opening idea and the return to the overwhelming emotions the singer is experiencing
all these waves
A repetition of the opening idea and the return to the overwhelming emotions the singer is experiencing
crashing in on me
The persistence and strength of these emotions
Contributed by Hunter B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.