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Cough Syrup Lyrics
Life’s too short to even care at all Ooh
I’m losing my mind losing my mind losing control
The fishes in the sea they’re staring at me
A wet world aches for a beat of a drum
If I could find a way to see this straight
I’d run away
To some fortune that I
Should have found by now
I’m waiting for this Cough Syrup to come down, come down
Life’s too short to even care at all
I’m coming up now coming up now out of the blue
These zombies in the park are looking for my heart
A dark world aches for a splash of the sun
If I could find a way to see this straight
Id run away
To some fortune that I should have found by now
And I run to the things they say could restore me
Restore life the way it should be
I’m waiting for this Cough Syrup
To come down
Life’s too short to even care at all, Ooh
I’m losing my mind losing my mind losing control
If I could find a way to see this straight
Id run away
To some fortune that I should have found by now
And I run to the things they say could restore me
Restore life the way it should be
I’m waiting for this Cough Syrup
To come down
One more spoon of Cough syrup now, ooh
One more spoon of Cough Syrup now, ooh
I’m losing my mind losing my mind losing control
The fishes in the sea they’re staring at me
A wet world aches for a beat of a drum
I’d run away
To some fortune that I
Should have found by now
I’m waiting for this Cough Syrup to come down, come down
I’m coming up now coming up now out of the blue
These zombies in the park are looking for my heart
A dark world aches for a splash of the sun
Id run away
To some fortune that I should have found by now
And I run to the things they say could restore me
Restore life the way it should be
I’m waiting for this Cough Syrup
To come down
I’m losing my mind losing my mind losing control
Id run away
To some fortune that I should have found by now
And I run to the things they say could restore me
Restore life the way it should be
I’m waiting for this Cough Syrup
To come down
One more spoon of Cough Syrup now, ooh
Song Info
Copyright
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Writer
Ehson Hashemian, Eric Cannata, Francois Comtois, Sameer Gadhia, Jacob Tilly
Duration
4:10
Producer
Joe Chiccarelli, Young The Giant
Release date
Feb 14, 2010
Sentiment
Positive
Submitted by
switsea On Feb 20, 2010
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
Wow, you guys are ridiculous. You really think this song is talking about cough syrup abuse - and even more ridiculously think they're trying to manipulate the young audience to do drugs.
It's all a metaphor. Cough syrup as other people have said, a metaphor for coping. Cough syrup doesn't "cure" you of the cold or common flu. It just temporarily gets rid of the symptoms. The writer of this song is saying that he's trying to find ways to "feel" happy, but he's still really depressed on the inside. His coping mechanism is only temporary until it "comes down" and he feels his true depression again.
"Life’s too short to even care at all I’m coming up now coming up now out of the blue" Stop caring what other people think is the true to key to happiness. Stop following the crowd.
"These zombies in the park are looking for my heart" The depression is starting to come around again.
"A dark world aches for a splash of the sun" Everyone - not just the writer of the song - is trying to find their true happiness (the sun) in this "dark world".
"And I run to the things they say could restore me Restore life the way it should be" Again, trying to find happiness in what other people want you to do.
That's just my two cents. :)
cheers
cheers
Someone who understands music : )
Someone who understands music : )
My interpretation is not "ridiculous" - you probably have a bias towards altered states of mind.
My interpretation is not "ridiculous" - you probably have a bias towards altered states of mind.
Yours is an obvious interpretation. Check some comments below - apparently we have a slight confirmation of my interpretation. Perhaps not a full trip, but under the influence of some dextromethorphan - yes.
Yours is an obvious interpretation. Check some comments below - apparently we have a slight confirmation of my interpretation. Perhaps not a full trip, but under the influence of some dextromethorphan - yes.
Also appreciating the irony of smitty, and the sensationalism of FuckMTV.
Also appreciating the irony of smitty, and the sensationalism of FuckMTV.
Ally! - even though I'm not at the point where I think "MTV is trying to get kids to abuse cough syrup", I DO know that it's actually ABOUT cough syrup - read my comment below to get the background story - the friend that told this to me has no reason to lie, and he actually lives in Irvine where the band is from, and he IS going to Coachella with backstage passes from ... none other than Young the Giant, formerly The Jakes
Ally! - even though I'm not at the point where I think "MTV is trying to get kids to abuse cough syrup", I DO know that it's actually ABOUT cough syrup - read my comment below to get the background story - the friend that told this to me has no reason to lie, and he actually lives in Irvine where the band is from, and he IS going to Coachella with backstage passes from ... none other than Young the Giant, formerly The Jakes
Well, you said it yourself, "find ways to feel happy". When your depressed it's easy to turn to drugs.
Well, you said it yourself, "find ways to feel happy". When your depressed it's easy to turn to drugs.
moclov4 - From your previous post it sounds more like the INSPIRATION for the song came from the cough syrup, but that doesn't mean that song is ABOUT cough syrup.
moclov4 - From your previous post it sounds more like the INSPIRATION for the song came from the cough syrup, but that doesn't mean that song is ABOUT cough syrup.
Cough syrup can be seen as a metaphor, sure. But I don't think it's outright "ridiculous" to assume that actual drug abuse is being referred to in this song ("fishes in the sea staring at me" especially reminds one of a drug-induced hallucination, among other visual clues). Drugs are often used as a means of coping with an unhappy, unfulfilled life and so that assumption is quite comprehensible.
Cough syrup can be seen as a metaphor, sure. But I don't think it's outright "ridiculous" to assume that actual drug abuse is being referred to in this song ("fishes in the sea staring at me" especially reminds one of a drug-induced hallucination, among other visual clues). Drugs are often used as a means of coping with an unhappy, unfulfilled life and so that assumption is quite comprehensible.
What is ridiculous, of course, is the contention that the song actually promotes "young audience" to do "drugs". :)
What is ridiculous, of course, is the contention that the song actually promotes "young audience" to do "drugs". :)
"The writer of this song is saying that he's trying to find ways to "feel" happy, but he's still really depressed on the inside. His coping mechanism is only temporary until it "comes down" and he feels his true depression again."
"The writer of this song is saying that he's trying to find ways to "feel" happy, but he's still really depressed on the inside. His coping mechanism is only temporary until it "comes down" and he feels his true depression again."
See, you're completely ignoring the fact that drugs themselves are a coping mechanism. His "coping mechanism" could very well be the cough syrup. That doesn't mean he's promoting cough syrup abuse, and it isn't a ridiculous to assume that this song refers to cough syrup abuse. Everything you just described in this post...
See, you're completely ignoring the fact that drugs themselves are a coping mechanism. His "coping mechanism" could very well be the cough syrup. That doesn't mean he's promoting cough syrup abuse, and it isn't a ridiculous to assume that this song refers to cough syrup abuse. Everything you just described in this post fits EXACTLY with the theory that this song is about drug abuse due to depression. You're right, he is talking about a harsh reality, but don't assume that because this song is serious that it can't be about drugs/drug abuse. Drugs are a very serious thing.
Originally, I honestly did believe that this song was about cough syrup abuse, but looking at your interpretation, I believe that more. And if this song was about cough syrup abuse, I think the lead singer is trying to say "This is the view point of drug abusers. It seems fun and calming, but it's not" Anyways, I really liked your interpretation C:
Originally, I honestly did believe that this song was about cough syrup abuse, but looking at your interpretation, I believe that more. And if this song was about cough syrup abuse, I think the lead singer is trying to say "This is the view point of drug abusers. It seems fun and calming, but it's not" Anyways, I really liked your interpretation C:
@Ally! Physical Dependence to Using Cough syrup for coping IS abuse, Dumbass. But that's just every knowledgeable person's two cents >:)
@Ally! Physical Dependence to Using Cough syrup for coping IS abuse, Dumbass. But that's just every knowledgeable person's two cents >:)
Pretty sure the song's sad tone, especially with the use of the violin means that this is a negative way to cope. You're right about that, I'm not sure who would actually think it encourages young adults to get high on it. So you're not completely Dumbass :) But that is just every smart person's two cents >:)
Pretty sure the song's sad tone, especially with the use of the violin means that this is a negative way to cope. You're right about that, I'm not sure who would actually think it encourages young adults to get high on it. So you're not completely Dumbass :) But that is just every smart person's two cents >:)
The following is not my interpretation, but the actual song meaning from the lead vocalist, Sameer Gadhia.
The song was written as a cry for help when the band was broke and didn't know what to do with themselves. Frontman Sameer Gadhia explained the group "felt somewhat oppressed by the universal expectation of what to do in Orange County... in suburbia in general. I think we really yearned to break out of that and do something a little bit different." Gadhia added that the song was their attempt to "break free, not necessarily from oppression, but the common symptoms of suburbia like boredom, normality and homogeneity."
Hope this helps. I appreciate everyone's interpretation and such, but wild theories just mislead fans.
It doesn't hurt to have your own interpretation. You may know the meaning of a painting, but how it applies to yourself is what you decide. This song reminds me of my depression and is telling me that I've got to find an actual cure, not a cough syrup to alleviate the symptoms. But anyways, thanks for telling us the real meaning. It'll help others a lot c:
It doesn't hurt to have your own interpretation. You may know the meaning of a painting, but how it applies to yourself is what you decide. This song reminds me of my depression and is telling me that I've got to find an actual cure, not a cough syrup to alleviate the symptoms. But anyways, thanks for telling us the real meaning. It'll help others a lot c:
To me, the meaning of this song is all contained in it's title. Cough srup is a REMEDY that we all use (well most of us)_ to alleviate systems brought on by colds and flu. It's noticable traits are the awful taste and a need for a hard swallow to get it down.
But our song hero is not suffering from a cold. His sickness is depression which was spawned from failure, disaapointment and quite possibly lousy treatment from judgemental people (the fishes) and small minded, cynical, people (the Zombies).
The REMEDY for depression involes swallowing your pride and seeking help from others. No one likes to have to do this, but at some point you cave in.
You must also swallow your regets so you don't get stuck wallowing in self-pity. Hisr life is at a standstill because of this.
This process is long and difficult. So he deals with it a spoonful at a time.
Cough syrup tends to have a bad taste, but once you get it down, it makes you feel better. I think the narrator is facing a lot of problems/difficulties in life, but he knows that once he gets through them (or the "cough syrup come[s] down"), life will be better; he will feel better. Essentially, life's too short to worry about the bad times when they'll always be good times that follow.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/news/video-interview-with-young-the-giant-s-sameer-gadhia
This is an interview. Everyone, its not about depression, addiction or suicide!
@Tumatum still people can interpret it that way ... each to their own
@Tumatum still people can interpret it that way ... each to their own
''if i could find a way to see straight'' when your comin down off a good 3rd plateau trip your vision doubles and your in 2 of everything land
sounds like hes really disenchanted with life. trying all the quick-fixes that society says will give you a "happy life" but knowing they won't fix the problem. maybe this song was spurred by heartbreak, or maybe its just a general feeling that comes about from being let down one too many times. either way, its a cool song.
can't wait to see these guys at sasquatch.
Cough syrup is great for stopping your coughing. Unfortunately, coughing isn't the problem - it's the solution. Your body coughs to rid itself of bacteria and other irritants in the respiratory tract. The less you cough, the longer the bacteria stays in your body, the longer you're sick. I think the song is about abusing cough syrup to cope. With what, I have no idea. Cough syrup treats the symptoms of a bigger problem - like a bacterial infection when you're sick, or depression when you're not. He's ignoring the real cause of his depression, therefore prolonging the pain.
According to an article in Orange Pop, from 02-19-2009, Sameer stated, "As to what "Cough Syrup" is all about, Gadhia says "It's about jumping into a world where things aren't what they seem. Kind of like what happens in your dreams after you take cough syrup."
The song is about depression ("losing my mind, losing control", "drowning") caused by failure/disappointment. He expected to succeed in life but has not, so, "fortune I should have found by now".) "Cough syrup" is a metaphor for the tough lessons taught by life. Life's lessons are bitter but they are good for you and will eventually make you a better - same as cough syrup's bitterness. He is now coming out of his depression ("I’m coming up now coming up now out of the blue") but wonders how many more lessons he has to learn to start living again - but somehow he knows that the life will never really stop giving "lessons" as he prepares for the next spoonful of "syrup". Pretty straight forward?