Two different versions of the song were released: the album version with a cold ending, and the single version with the chorus repeated until fade.
Walk On The Ocean
Toad The Wet Sprocket Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where are we going, so far away
And somebody told me that this is the place
Where everything's better, everything's safe
Walk on the ocean
Step on the stones
Flesh becomes water
And half an hour later, we packed up our things
We said we'd send letters and all those little things
And they knew we were lying but they smiled just the same
It seemed they'd already forgotten we'd came
Walk on the ocean
Step on the stones
Flesh becomes water
Wood becomes bone
Walk on the ocean
Step on the stones
Flesh becomes water
Wood becomes bone
Now back at the homestead
Where the air makes you choke
And people don't know you
And trust is a joke
We don't even have pictures
Just memories to hold
That grow sweeter each season
As we slowly grow old
Toad The Wet Sprocket's song "Walk On The Ocean" is a reflective piece about the fleeting nature of life and the overwhelming sense of excitement that comes with exploring the unknown. The first verse sets the scene for the rest of the song, describing the moment when the singer and their companions first reach the ocean at the head of a trail. There's a sense of wonder and anticipation in the air, as they ask each other where they're going and marvel at the beauty around them. The line "somebody told me that this is the place where everything's better, everything's safe" suggests that the ocean represents a kind of utopia where all worries and fears can be left behind.
The chorus of the song is a kind of mantra, encouraging the listener to keep moving forward and to keep exploring the mysteries of the world. The vivid imagery of stepping on stones and feeling flesh become water and wood become bone gives a sense of the transformative power that nature can have on our bodies and our minds. The second verse sees the singer and their companions return to their everyday lives, and the contrast between the idyllic ocean and the harsh reality of the homestead is stark. The air is stifling and oppressive, and there's a sense of alienation and distrust in the community. The final lines of the song are bittersweet, acknowledging that memories may fade but the joy that comes with experiencing new things and forging new connections will last a lifetime.
Line by Line Meaning
We spotted the ocean at the head of the trail
We saw the vast ocean in the distance as we began our journey.
Where are we going, so far away
We wonder where our travels will take us as we venture far away.
And somebody told me that this is the place
Someone informed us that this was the perfect spot to be.
Where everything's better, everything's safe
Here, life is better and more secure.
Walk on the ocean
Continue moving forward even when faced with something as immense and powerful as the ocean.
Step on the stones
Take steps of faith while traversing the unknown.
Flesh becomes water
Our physical bodies can adapt and blend into the environment as fluidly as water.
Wood becomes bone
Objects can become a part of us and our journey, transitioning from being something foreign to being like an extension of ourselves.
And half an hour later we packed up our things
After only a short period of time, we gathered our belongings to leave.
We said we'd send letters and all those little things
We made promises to stay in touch through letters and other mementos.
And they knew we were lying but they smiled just the same
The people we left behind knew we were being insincere but still put on a brave face.
It seemed they'd already forgotten we'd came
It appeared as though our presence there had already been forgotten by those we left behind.
Now we're back at the homestead
We returned to our place of origin.
Where the air makes you choke
The air there isn't as fresh and clean as other places.
And people don't know you
We don't feel at home anymore since we've been away for so long and feel like strangers to those who haven't shared our experiences.
And trust is a joke
We've learned that trust isn't something to be taken for granted.
We don't even have pictures
We don't have physical evidence of our experiences.
Just memories to hold
But we do have our cherished memories to keep with us.
That grow sweeter each season
As time passes, our memories become more sentimental and valuable.
As we slowly grow old
While we age, our memories become all the more precious.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Dean Dinning, Randal Guss, Glen Phillips, Todd Nichols
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tammiemcclure8987
I married my husband in 1991. We lived this era together as a young couple, had our son in 1995. My husband died of a sudden heart attack after a plane trip for business caused a blood clot to his heart. He died the day after Thanksgiving 2018. I been going through old songs we used to listen to together on here. This was one we played often. I miss him terribly.
@alankapolnek7912
My sympathies to you and yours. Life is strange. May you keep him alive in your words, deeds, and heart.
@LealconProduction
My condolences Tammie...
@scottwoodham6098
You always will he's looking down at you and you will see him okay he knows your missing him
@faith8139
I am so sorry for your loss. My husband died 10 years ago and I often find myself on youtube, searching out the music we loved. It brings back good memories.
@stephrossbrown2792
Big hug to you Tammie✨
@TheApeman01
I'm soon to be 68 years old. I've only recently discovered this song. When music is this good, it becomes timeless.
@PortlandEast
Wood becomes a boner
@jeremyc9593
This is easily one of my favorite songs of all time. They have other good songs as well, especially "All I Want". Underrated band.
@ReverendBrown.
Boom. You nailed it. I’m approaching 60 & I come to YouTube to find gems. You summed it up perfectly.