Ellie Goulding – Dead in the Water

"Dead in the Water" as written by Finlay Graham Dow Smith and Elena Jane Goulding....
If I was not myself
And you were someone else
I'd say so much to you
And I would tell the truth
Cause I can hardly breathe

When your hands let go of me
The ice is thinning out
And my feet brace themselves

I'm there in the water
Still looking for ya
I'm there in the water
Can't you see, can't you see

You've seen this all before
Life left on the shore
We're smiling all the same
You sail away again

I'm there in the water
Still looking for ya
I'm there in the water
Can't you see, can't you see

Oh yeah
I'm there in the water
Still looking for ya
I'm there in the water
Can't you see, can't you see

I'm there in the water
Still looking for ya
I'm there in the water
Can't you see, can't you see


Lyrics submitted by thrwmyhrtawy., edited by Mellow_Harsher, TheEmilis, poisonwine, YouKnowMe, yeahhitslaurennnn, dotty1992

"Dead in the Water" as written by Finlay Graham Dow Smith Ellie Goulding

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

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Dead in the Water song meanings
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10 Comments

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  • +3
    MemorySort of reminds me of Titanic: Jack falling into the water leaving Rose in the water alone and he dying.

    Sure it means something about a guy giving up in the relationship leaving her looking until the loss of love kills her inside.
    LysByson October 11, 2012   Link
  • +3
    General CommentI don't think the song is necessarily between a man and a woman in a relationship...
    Maybe someone has feelings that are trapped inside of them and if they let them out (say to friends or family) they will be disowned or abandoned..
    Just my thoughts.
    Truly a captivating song though. Gives me the chills and makes me teary eyed.
    deafdanceron February 20, 2013   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • +2
    My InterpretationI think this song is about actually really getting lost at sea. Ellie said that she heard that people get lost at sea but their spirits are still in the water still looking for the people they love., 'I'm dead in the water, still looking for you'
    It's about dying (in the water) i think because in the beginning she sings I'm there in the water and towards the end it changes into I'm dead in the water., the song tells a story
    xxxfleurtjeon August 29, 2013   Link
  • +2
    My InterpretationI think this song is about two people who broke up but the girl is still in love with the guy but she doesn't have the courage to say anything "if I was not myself/ and you were someone else/ I'd say so much to you/ and I would tell the truth". After the split, the guy ends up not loving her back. The girl doesn't believe that he's not in love with her and tries to look for him " I'm there in the water still looking for you" at the end of the song the girl is still trying to get him to love her but there's no hope after all the she tried "I'm dead in the water/ still looking for you". Even though the guy will never love her back she still has some hope that they will be together again.
    Val52on March 13, 2014   Link
  • 0
    General CommentBy the end of this song, I seriously always get goosebumps. I feel this song is about being abandoned in a relationship.. or if you depend on a certain friendship. I think the verses are completely open for interpretation and they are sort of vague so we all can relate to what Ellie is singing about; I believe that because she uses symbolism ans she really doesn't let us know what is going on. But definitly supposed to be a very sad, loss-of-hope kinda song! :/ SO MUCH EMOTION!!
    rihpaulyon January 25, 2013   Link
  • 0
    My InterpretationI think this song is about two people who are really close and care about eachother. Yet, she can't really tell him how she completely feels cause shes afraid it might ruin things. In his actions he shows he loves her and cares but he can't fully commit to her. So she is waiting for him to make a move or tell her how he feels. Moments she thinks it might change but he never says anything. Basically, she just waiting for him to see and realize what he wants. Atleast thats how I interpret this song.
    Md891on February 17, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General CommentWrong lyrics AGAIN D:
    leolivieon April 22, 2014   Link
  • 0
    MemoryEllie said in an interview that she heard about people getting lost and dying at sea, but their spirits still remain in the water.
    ohsheagouldiggeron August 30, 2014   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI believe that the lyrics draw a parallel between the original meaning of being "dead in the water" and a relationship. "Dead in the water" is a phrase that has naval origin, and was used to describe a ship being inoperable and/or unable to move due to still waters/lack of wind in the sail. There is nothing there to make the ship move and the ship goes nowhere.

    As potentially "boring" as this explanation is, I really like to picture this scenario while listening to this song, because I believe that it is about a stagnant relationship, unable to move forward. To me, she is searching for meaning in this relationship despite her knowledge or perception that it is going nowhere, or that it has run it's course.
    KristieLeeon September 16, 2014   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThe interpretation of the second verse above made me lol. For the record it's

    The ice is thinning out
    And my feet brace themselves
    VEDOSUNon April 12, 2015   Link

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