The curtain's a sea anemone
In the way it sways to the slow breeze
I lie spread out on the floor, looking at these things
Most of them are yours

And it's so nice
Sitting very still
Without those old shoes
I could never fill

Starfish with its arms out in a daze
Staring at the stars through an ocean haze
Was I one you wished upon, burned out like a light bulb
When you turned me on

And it's so nice
Sleeping here all alone
With my ashtray
White courtesy telephone

Now I'm making out the shapes
Like the shower rod, can it take my weight?
I will tell you I am fine
I got some news, friend, feels like I'm dying

Turtle on its back in the desert sea
And you look like a cool drink just slightly out of reach
Draw myself into the shell
Waiting on a sign from God or a nod from hell

And it's so nice
Sitting very still
Without those old shoes
I could never fill

Now we're turning on the lights
It's the first day of my second life
Take my name off of the lease
You can even keep the name, it never suited me


Lyrics submitted by PLANES, edited by sokorny

Sea Anemone song meanings
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43 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    I think the most interesting line here is "it's the first day of my second life"

    I think it's pretty clear that the author is contemplating suicide -- "now I'm making out the shapes / like the shower rod - can it take my weight?"

    But back to the "first day of my second life," this could mean either that the author did kill himself and is now starting his second life (after life) or that he is picking himself up and moving on to start a new phase of his life.

    I prefer the latter interpretation. Basically, times can be hard but eventually you will move on and have an opportunity to start over again. Beautiful song.

    modest2spillon August 20, 2014   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This really is a great song... so sad... so good.

    Mickeys_Elbowon May 04, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    "turtle on its back in the desert sea and you look like a cool drink...just slightly out of reach" awesome mental image. i love jets to brazil for that...

    kryngeon May 22, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this song is so relaxing =) and its my name. heh.

    sEa AnEmOnEon July 06, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    So well written and just gives you this lonely feeling. I love it.

    jawbrokenrhymeson July 20, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i dont think there's ever been a more depressing song written...ever. when i feel so lonely and depressed that i can't even move, i listen to this song.

    SheJustWepton August 13, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i love the line "i will tell you i am fine. i've got some news friend, feels like i'm dying." goodness, there are so many times thats been true. this is possibly my favorite jtb song. i can't wait for the new cd!

    one*name*famouson August 29, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this is definetly the greatest jtb song ever. i can listen to this song for hours and at a time on replay. the lyrics are so powerful, raw, and uncensored. its what im sure so many of us have felt in some time of our lives / it's the first day of my second life / take my name off of the lease / you can even keep the name it never suited me/ that line means so much.. to me, of walking away, kind of shedding your skin. instead of the talk of suicide /now im making out the shapes, like the shower rod, can it take my weight?// im not sure if this song was meant to be sad or just relaxing. either way im in love with this song

    intoyoulikeatrainon August 29, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I actually made a picture of the "Turtle on its back in the desert sea, and you look like a cool drink slightly out of reach", same with the "starfish with its arms out in a daze, staring at the stars through an ocean haze"

    Cathinealon September 08, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i can honestly say that i have never heard a more depressing song in my life. i used to be afraid to listen to this song because of the emotions that arise when i do. not too long ago, i was that starfish with a wishing on a burnt out star.

    CrayonDrawnCaton September 13, 2002   Link

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