Down, down, down, into the cloudy sea
You love me like a car wreck wrapped around a tree
Down, down, down, it's the only way to go
Sometimes it's hard to hold on without letting go

We'll walk in the water 'cause I can hardly breathe
And we'll leave the ones who love us
You're all I ever need
Just sand in the water
Drown next to me

Now, now, now, 'cause the curtain has to close
We take a bow and face the crowd, realize we're all in the show
Now, just now, you can rest your weary eyes
It's only over, what you're living for makes you feel dead alive

Yeah walk in the water 'cause I can hardly breathe
We could leave the ones who love us
You're all I ever need
We'll tell each other lies
That I know we'll both believe
Just sand in the water
Drown next to me

I'm never letting go
Caught in the undertow
Take your love, my heart and soul
Dive down, 'cause this world's both dryin' us all out

We'll walk in the water 'cause I can hardly breathe
We'll leave the ones who love us
You're all I ever need
We'll tell each other lies
That I know we'll both believe
Just sand in the water
Just sand in the water
Just stand in the water
Drown next to me


Lyrics submitted by LovelyMauve, edited by dgaetano

Drown Next To Me song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

1 Comment

sort form View by:
  • +1
    General Comment

    Easily one of the most melancholy and powerful songs i've had the grace of listening to. It reflects on how the world we live in tires us, and how we believe we're only a show for others (but we're not; "We take a bow and face the crowd, realize we're all in the show"). It's about letting go, and letting the waves take you away, come to rest with the one you love most dearly, and if just for one moment, believe that beautiful lie that everything will be ok. The ambience following the main track really sells it.

    meteorhero526on October 17, 2013   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
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
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version. Great version of a great song,
Album art
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.