I read it in a magazine
I don't wanna see it again
I threw away the magazine
And looked for someone to explain

I don't wanna look back
I can't look 'round
I don't wanna see it coming 'round

Listen to the ups and downs
Listen to the sound they make
Don't be scared when it gets loud
When your skin begins to shake

'Cause you don't wanna look back
You gotta look tall
Gotta see those creeps crawl

I know you know
I know you know

Well I can see you've got the blues
In your alligator shoes
Me I'm all smiles
I've got my crocodiles

I don't wanna look back
I can't turn 'round
I don't wanna see it coming down

Met someone just the other day
He said wait until tomorrow
I said hey, whatcha doing today?
He said I'm gonna do it tomorrow


Lyrics submitted by Golgotha

Crocodiles Lyrics as written by Leslie Pattinson Ian Stephen Mcculloch

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Crocodiles song meanings
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    General Comment

    I think this song is about obsessive-compulsive disorder (neurosis). Ian McCulloch suffered from OCD himself during his childhood, and so I do (still suffer from it). The "ups and downs" refer, I think, to the mood swings that OCD sufferers often experience, or maybe just even to the ups and downs of the life of someone with mental issues. "Listen to the sound they make" would be a metaphore then for "see what the disorder causes and brings you", whereas the "don't you scream when it gets loud" could be the anxiety coming in. I could be very wrong about this, but to me Crocodiles has always felt like an OCD anthem.

    Cracked Pleasureson June 03, 2006   Link

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