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Flotsam and Jetsam Lyrics
Doing nothing stuck in the mud
I'm just pumping the blood.
The water level's getting low
Something ugly's going to show.
If only I could touch you
I guess you'd be alarmed
If only I could touch you
I don't mean you any harm
If only I could touch you
Like the wind can touch the sail
If only I could touch you, darling
Now that words have failed
Oh Flotsam still a float
Oh Jetsam thrown out of the boat
And Oh Love, my love
Nothing here is what it seems...
We both know it
Christ! you show it.
Oh, oh my love.
I'm just pumping the blood.
The water level's getting low
Something ugly's going to show.
I guess you'd be alarmed
If only I could touch you
I don't mean you any harm
Like the wind can touch the sail
If only I could touch you, darling
Now that words have failed
Oh Jetsam thrown out of the boat
And Oh Love, my love
Nothing here is what it seems...
We both know it
Christ! you show it.
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
This dark ditty seems to suggest that a crime is about to happen: "Something ugly's going to show".
What crime could it be? Rape?
"If only I could touch you I guess you'd be alarmed If only I could touch you I don't mean you any harm"
The song is about, first being famous, then not being famous. A lot of artists feel their relationship with the audience, akin to one with a woman.
'If only I could Touch you.'
If only I could get through, to make you see. It's a fantasy, really, because Peter Gabriel already had hordes of fans, that had already been 'touched'.
The part about 'something ugly's gonna show' refers to being a solo artist, and not having four talented musicians to cover up the imperfections.
an insecurity issue, butterflies, stagefright, call it what you will.
You have to understand the 'I talk in pictures not in words' scenario.