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The Swimmer Lyrics

The swimmer is so far from the distant shore
The only time she never feels alone
On the land her body distorts
In the water lines are true to her mind

I can hardly see you now
Are you getting closer and
Do you know you're the one?
They will never understand
How washed up you feel on the land
The sport light of the sun, it shines on

The swimmer knows she'll never touch the floor
She can float unharmed by murky wars
And the land is as plain as her skin
But the water shines like the star in her mind

I can hardly see you now
Are you getting closer and
Do you know you're the one?
They will never understand
How washed up you feel on the land
The sport light of the sun, it shines on
Song Info
Submitted by
brick On Dec 18, 2001
4 Meanings

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Cover art for The Swimmer lyrics by Sleater-Kinney

This song is about escaping yourself and the hassles of being alone. Its about finding comfort in something and feeling like no one understands you and the only place you belong is in the water. My favorite line is

I can hardly see you now Are you getting closer and Do you know you're the one?

This suggest unrequited love as well.

I'm very surprised that I am the only one to comment, this SK song is my favorite of theirs.

Cover art for The Swimmer lyrics by Sleater-Kinney

This song reminds me of The Awakening by Kate Chopin, but I'm not sure the reference is conscious (although S-K does seem like a pretty literate band). The song seems to have a somewhat similar theme, as that book: that independence and solitude are inherently linked.

Of course, in the end of The Awakening, Edna ends up drowning herself...Yeah, maybe it has nothing to do with The Awakening.

Good song, though.

Cover art for The Swimmer lyrics by Sleater-Kinney

Yeah, this reminds me of the Awakening too, now you mention it. Good link.

Cover art for The Swimmer lyrics by Sleater-Kinney

Carrie Brownstein mentioned this song in her book, "Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl" and stated the lyrics came while she was dating a swimmer, her feelings of peaceful solitude and wholeness while swimming but alienation and disconnection when back on land. It also feels like there's a further meaning that you only truly connect with yourself while in a state of isolation while following your desires.

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