You always said you were the compassionate one
But now you're laughing at the sun
With all your high class friends you think you've got it made
The only thing you made was that tanned look on your face
With all your cigarettes and fancy cars
You ain't a clue who or what you are
You're dreaming your life away
Fish out of water
Go swim in the tide today
Fish out of water
We used to sit and talk about primal scream
To exorcise our past was our adolescent dream
But now it's sink or swim since your memory fails
Now in Neptune's kitchen you will be food for killer whales
And on the crucifix his mother made
Hangs one more martyr to the hit parade
You're dreaming you're life away
Fish out of water
Go swim in the tide today
Fish out of water
You're dreaming you're life away
Fish out of water
Go swim in the tide today
Fish out of water



Lyrics submitted by ruben

Fish Out of Water Lyrics as written by Roland Orzabal Alan Griffiths

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Fish Out Of Water song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

11 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +2
    General Comment

    I especially like the lines "We used to sit and talk about primal scream / To exorcise our past was our adolescent dream" - this actually refers to a form of psychotherapy Curt and Roland allegedly participated in when they were younger, where they get out all of their repressed feelings and emotions in an intense screaming session. This was also the basis for their 1985 hit "Shout." To me, it seemed sharing an experience like that brought Roland close to Curt, and he is therefore hurt by the differences that grew between them as the years passed.

    I also like "Now in Neptune's kitchen you will be food for killer whales." Neptune's Kitchen was the name of Roland's recording studio in the UK, where the classic 80s Tears for Fears albums were recorded. He also used that studio to record this song, and calling Curt "food for killer whales" refers to the fact that Curt is now being badgered in this song. :)

    These are just my opinions. Someone feel free to let me know if I'm wrong about something.

    coryoonon March 09, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    coryoon - spot on description. I still find it hard to listen to this song now that they are back together which is brilliant!

    Its just so bitter but I'm glad that they made up.

    Interestingly, Curt did a response to this on his album track with his band Mayfield called 'Sun King'

    Mrs_Orzabalon September 14, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Curt Smith did answer him back with the song Sun King. He wrote the song after he heard Fish Out of the Water. It was later put out on the album, Mayfield - a band Curt formed circa 1997 which featured him on vocals and bass (duh), Charlton Pettus on guitar (also his writing partner), Doug Petty (brother of Dan Petty from Marry Me Jane) and Russ Irwin (he toured with Aerosmith once as one of their backup vocals) on keys, and Shawn Pelton (SNL drummer) on drums.

    biba01on September 16, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I've always wondered whether Roland used a Curt Smith vocal recorded around the time of the 'big chair' sessions for the 'you're dreaming your life away' and 'go swim in your tide today' parts, overlaying them or writing the track around them. It's definitely not Roland singing and it sounds a lot like Curt. Can anyone confirm or deny?

    nutfoxon August 30, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I think Roland gets the last laugh. 'Fish Out of Water' is a killer track, whereas 'Sun King' is pretty average. Roland was always the better songwriter in Tears for Fears.

    RikkiSixxon October 16, 2018   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Roland Orzabal wrote this song about Curt Smith after the two split up.

    JustineKon July 27, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The lines "with all your high class friends... with all your cigarettes and fancy cars" seem particularly stinging. I think Smith just left. Wikipedia says that the two of them traded barbs against each other through their songs before the split. "You walked into the room. I just had to laugh"?

    resonatoron May 29, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    LOL @ Curt Smith.. He got told !! Its a good song though.

    tifnzon February 18, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    ithink roland calls curt "fish out of water"because curt is a pisces ascendant in astrology.indeed curt responded to roland with"sun king"probably because roland is a leo

    ritienne17on June 18, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Listen to "How do you sleep" by John Lennon. A song written to dig Paul McCartney. No prizes for guessing Roland's inspiration for this song.

    MartynSon March 15, 2017   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
When We Were Young
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example: "'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Album art
Magical
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.