Ocean

The Velvet Underground

Here comes the ocean
And the waves down by the shore
Here comes the ocean
And the waves down by the sea

Insects are evil thoughts, thought of by selfish men
Nearly drives me crazy
I am a lazy son
And I never get things done
'Cause we're made up of water but

Here comes the wave
Down by the shore
Washing the eye of our land
That has been down by the sea
Way down by the sea, down by the shore
Way down by the sea

Here comes the ocean
And the waves down by the shore
Here comes the ocean
And the waves down by the sea

Insects are evil thoughts, thought of by selfish men
It nearly drives me crazy
Now I am a lazy son
I never get things done
'Cause we're made up of water but

Here comes the wave
Down by the shore
Washing the eye of our land
That has been down by the shore
Way down by the sea
Down by the shore
Down by the sea

Here come the waves

Here come the waves

Here come the waves

Here come the waves

Here come the waves

Thank you


Lyrics submitted by Dasch, edited by minuette

Ocean Lyrics as written by Lou Reed

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Ocean song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

10 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +3
    General Comment

    Oh, sorry, an interpretation? The original (the one up here is the Lou Reed solo version) is about reminiscing while sitting upon the beach, watching the waves. As a treat, I'll post the Live 1969 version's lyrics. That was an awesome rendition:

    Here comes the ocean and the waves down by the shore Here comes the ocean and the waves down by the sea

    Earth is a hollow hair, part of a bigger head it nearly drives me crazy I am a lazy son, I never get things done mostly made up of water

    But here comes the waves down by the shore Washing the eye of the land that has been

    Down by the sea down by the sea Down by the sea down by the sea

    Here comes the ocean and the waves down by the shore Here comes the ocean and the waves down by the sea

    Insects are evil thoughts, thought of by selfish men it nearly drives me crazy I am a lazy son, I never get things done mostly made up of water

    But here comes the waves down by the shore Washing the eye of the land that has been

    Down by the sea Down by the sea

    Here come the waves Here come the waves Here come the waves Here come the waves Here come the waves Here come the waves Here come the waves

    Cynothoglyson June 22, 2006   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
Spirit Within
Bertoldi Brothers
Warren wanted a Beach Boys thing for this one, and Carl Wilson and Billy Hinsche came in, with Carl arranging the vocal parts. The other harmony vocalists (credited as the "Gentlemen Boys") were Jackson Browne, J.D. Souther, Zevon's longtime backers Waddy Wachtel and Jorge Calderon, and Linda Rondstadt/Stone Poneys guitarist Kenny Edwards.
Album art
The Spy
Doors, The
Like a lot of the other comments are saying, I think this mainly about voyeurism. If the song was about his girlfriend, then why would he use the word spy. If you are a spy it means you shouldn't be caught, that is kind of the whole point, and if you are a voyeur, the whole point of the pleasure you get from it, is the fact that the other people don't know you are watching them. See a bit of a connection there?
Album art
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Album art
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him. There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Album art
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve. The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future. Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere" The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”