I am stuck in L.A through the week, and can?t get away
And you?re alone on the pier in West Palm Beach on your holiday
Stormy nights re-awake the stomachache that I?ve acquired
From feeling down, things look grim and I?m so sick, of being tired

Apartment lights go dark, and it?s depressing but what can I do?
Midnight streets feel dead, when I am so used to driving with you

Brighter lights fill the nights and bluer skies reflect in your eyes
As I inspect and analyze all these dreams I don?t recognize
If you?re still up when the ships in the port, prepare to set sail
Comb the beach and put those blue flowers up in your ponytail

Inside my head your voice is still resounding but what can I do?
The empty rooms feel cold when I am so used to being with you

Count the stars, watch the waves, absorb the summer sun and think of me
When you explore hidden coves and tiny island chains throughout the sea
Can you still hear my voice when I?m outside from over the phone?
For what its worth darling dear, I wish you were here ?cause I feel alone

When you were home, wed sing but since you?ve left I don?t hear anything
And though I feel so sad I can?t believe things are really that bad

Old captains and brand new cruise ships
Sailing over the briny sea
When I crash my beloved desk job
And swim through the debris
I?ll cut loose and leave this madhouse
Bound for the Atlantic blue
I?ll stroll down your tree-lined driveway
And sail the ocean with you



Lyrics submitted by JetstyleArmada

Captains and Cruise Ships Lyrics as written by Adam R. Young

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Captains and Cruise Ships song meanings
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20 Comments

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  • +3
    General Comment

    this song is simpy radical. easily one of my favorites by Owl City. I think Captains and Cruiseships is about two people in a relationship taking a break/exploring new options. the person "in LA" probably didn't really want to take a break, but is doing it for the sake of his partner. He stays in LA to wait for her to get back from "west palm beach", hoping that she realizes that there isn't anyone better for her out there than him. in the meanwhile, he feels lonely and lost without her. my favorite part of this song:

    Old captains and brand new cruise ships Sailing over the BRINY sea Wwhen I crashed my beloved desk job And swim through the DEBRIS Ill cut loose leave this mad house all for the atlantic blue Ill stroll down your treelined driveway, and sail the ocean with you.

    He eventually starts going crazy without her with him, so he's considering instead of waiting for her to "come back to LA", that he should go to "West Palm Beach" and make a better effort and show her that they belong together.

    TheBluestOCTOBERon September 19, 2008   Link
  • +2
    Memory

    this song is so nostalgic...i wish I could go back to when it was first released..things were so simple back then...so many songs nowadays are about drugs, sex, etc..songs like this are so under appreciated.

    mysterzzon July 17, 2018   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    this song is amazing, simply amazing. Can't get over how great adam young is!

    KILLrachelDEADon August 20, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I see it as a legitimatly sad song. He misses his girl so much, that nothing he does is the same. From driving the streets at night, to simply being alone in his appartment.

    Tibadeeon July 29, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i live in west palm beach and my g/f suggested this song to me and she said i would know why immediately. she was right. :) cute song.

    monticelloon June 25, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i used to live in west palm beach for three months out of the year because of my parents odd line of work, and after they got divorced, my dad ended up still going, and my mom and i stayed on our farm in nc. and although a lot of it is about a girl obviously, lines of it remind me of how i used to miss being with my family all together doing what we do in West Palm

    shchoppion October 13, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I love this song a lot. Right now I can relate to it a lot. :]

    go owl city.

    robertohon October 20, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    its a beautifull song [': owl city make magical music, the music does something with my feelings dunno what but it gives me a special feeling ='D

    anoukDINOSAURon October 25, 2008   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation

    I imagine a boy who misses his girl who left, and now everything feels empty and lifeless. Hes reflecting on the times they spent together and just lonely :( He is waiting for her to realize they were made for each other and when she does they can sail the ocean together :)

    hcorbridgeon January 23, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i am obsessed with this song right now. i love love love the lyrics. i think its about a boy and girl. The boy is missing the girl so much. She is out doing things and experiincing things. He really wants to do this too.

    "Wwhen I crashed my beloved desk job And swim through the depris"

    jordanajandson March 25, 2009   Link

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