Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Swim and Sleep (Like A Shark)

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Swim and Sleep (Like A Shark) Lyrics

I wish that I could swim and sleep like a shark does
I'd fall to the bottom and I'd hide til the end of time
In that sweet cool darkness
Asleep and constantly floating away

I wish that I could break and mend like the world does
I'd fall to the bottom and I'd chase all my dreams away
And I'd let you crush me
My dreams would be constantly melting away

I wish that I could swim and sleep like a shark does
I'd fall to the bottom and I'd hide til the end of time
In that sweet cool darkness
Asleep and constantly floating away

Submitted by

j0nnynoname On Feb 05, 2013

So Good At Being In Trouble

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rhodesnet

2014-03-14 21:05:09

j0nnynoname

Submitter

2013-02-05 09:08:15

1 Meaning

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by rheana1130

10y ago

I think that he's talking about being depressed In this song. Especially since "So good at being in trouble", (the next song on this LP) is about him and his girlfriend breaking up and him dealing with that. This song is him setting that up. He wishes he could just keep going but at the same time not really be there, meaning "sleep". He just wants to exist. Sharks have to keep swimming in order for their gills to have oxygen, so they never stop swimming, thus never really sleeping. Insomnia or even excessive sleeping is all a huge symptom of depression. He just wants to keep existing but be "floating away", meaning he wants to just keep going, keep slacking along in the "sweet cool darkness". Idk though.

I love this song so much!!!!

My Interpretation

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