Throwing Muses is a post-punk alternative rock band formed in 1981 in Newpo… Read Full Bio ↴Throwing Muses is a post-punk alternative rock band formed in 1981 in Newport, Rhode Island, United States, that toured and recorded extensively until 1997, when its members began concentrating more on other projects. Originally fronted by two distinctive lead singers, Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donelly, stepsisters who both wrote the group's songs, Donelly left in 1991 to form Belly and, since Throwing Muses reformed in 2003, has guested during concerts and recordings.

Throwing Muses is known for performing music with shifting tempos, creative chord progressions, unorthodox song structures, and surreal lyrics. The group was set apart from other contemporary acts by Hersh's stark, candid writing style; Donelly's pop stylings and vocal harmonies; and David Narcizo's unusual drumming techniques eschewing use of cymbals. Hallucinatory, febrile songs by Hersh occasionally touched on the subject of mental illness, more often drawing portraits of characters from daily life or addressing relationships.

Donelly left the band in 1991 and was a member of The Breeders and Belly, before starting to perform solo. She also contributed vocals to the Throwing Muses self-titled album in 2003. Hersh has also worked solo, and fronts the power trio 50 Foot Wave (which also includes Muses bassist Bernard Georges). Narcizo works in graphic design and has a musical project Lakuna.

In March 2003, Throwing Muses came back with their eighth album, Throwing Muses, which also saw the return of Tanya Donelly who provided backing vocals on the album. A greatest hits compilation titled Anthology was released in 2011. The band's ninth album, Purgatory / Paradise was released on October 29, 2013 in the UK and November 11 in the US. In early 2014, the band toured a few U.S. cities, with Donelly opening for the East Coast dates.

Surf Cowboy
Throwing Muses Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I slip under the water
I fall into the sea
Come everyone
Come everyone

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Throwing Muses' song Surf Cowboy are quite ambiguous and open to interpretation. However, it seems the song is about letting go and surrendering to the unknown. The first line, "I slip under the water," suggests a voluntary submersion into something unknown or unfamiliar, maybe even scary. The next line, "I fall into the sea," reinforces the idea of letting go and surrendering oneself to the unpredictable nature of the sea. The repetition of "Come everyone" creates a feeling of inclusiveness and encourages everyone to take the risk and embrace the unknown.

The lyrics of the song might also refer to the ebb and flow of life, and the idea of surrendering to the larger forces that guide our existence. The ocean is often seen as a metaphor for life, with its ever-changing tides and moods. Thus, the lyrics suggest that it's better to accept the unpredictability of life and embrace it rather than fight against it.

Overall, the lyrics of "Surf Cowboy" are cryptic and challenge listeners to find their own meaning within the song. It's a song that encourages introspection and embracing the unknown.

Line by Line Meaning

I slip under the water
I descend beneath the surface of the water

I fall into the sea
I submerge myself in the vast expanse of the ocean

Come everyone
I invite all to join me

Come everyone
I urge everyone to experience the same sensation

Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

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