Undertow

Suzanne Vega

I believe right now if I could
I would swallow you whole
I would leave only bones and teeth
We could see what was underneath
And you would be free then

Once I thought only tears could make us free
Salt wearing down to the bone
Like sand against the stone
Against the shoreline

I am friend to the undertow
I take you in, I don't let go
And now I have you

I wanted to learn all the secrets
From the edge of a knife
From the point of a needle
From a diamond
From a bullet in flight
I would be free then

I am friend to the undertow
I take you in, I don't let go
And now I have you

I wanted to see how it would feel
To be that sleek
And instead I find this hunger's
Made me weak

I believe right now if I could
I would swallow you whole
I would leave only bones and teeth
We could see what was underneath
And you would be free then

I am friend to the undertow
I take you in, I don't let go
And now I have you

I am friend to the undertow
I take you in, I don't let go
And now I have you


Lyrics submitted by Novartza

Undertow Lyrics as written by Suzanne Vega

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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7 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment
    the song is about anorexia, and so that would be the group of people she's refering too. I won't go to quoting lyrics, but read the song with anorexia in mind and it becomes quite obvious. I actually grew up listening to this song, wondering what is was about. i suffered from anorexia as an adolescent, and going back to this song later, it made so much sense
    kemeon November 07, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    this song is so beautiful <3<3
    rocketqueenzon March 15, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I'm suprised there havn't been more people commenting on this song. It's a great song, about exposing our true selves. Like the verse, "Once I thought only tears could make us free Salt wearing down to the bone Like sand against the stone Against the shoreline" suggests, only by pain and sorrow can we break out and see ourselves and others for what they truly are. She then comes to realize that once you've scraped away everything superficial, life has a different meaning. Your soul is finally free. Great song.
    ItsAllIWanton February 08, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I went to a her concert once, and before she sang this song she said something like 'This song is for a group of people, who know who they are'. Well, I dont. Does anyone here have an idea?
    bartoshekon December 04, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    further, it's not really a hopeful song as some would suggest. it's about being pared down to nothing as you loose yourself in the disease
    kemeon November 07, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    keme, you're right. Thanks. It does make sense now. Which, along with blood makes noise and bad wisdom, gives a very depressing view of Suzanne. I wonder.
    bartoshekon February 09, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    To me this song speaks of a great outpouring of hatred. She's singing about someone she hates, and destroying them utterly. The lines "Once I thought only tears could make us free" say that at first she has turned her feeling inward and is crying about her hatred. The next verse "I wanted to learn all the secrets From the edge of a knife From the point of a needle From a diamond From a bullet in flight I would be free then" Is unmistakably violent and she's talking about how she's going to destroy this object of her hatred. Now maybe this is about the ravages of anorexia but the lyrics read too litreally for that to work too well, at least in my mind. They basically read "I hate you. I'm going to kill you."
    Red Octoberon February 23, 2007   Link

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