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.
Okay, okay, listen to me
The human world is a mess
Life under the sea
Is better than anything they got goin' on up there
The seaweed is always greener
In somebody else's lake
You dream about going up there
But that is a big mistake
Just look at the world around you
Right here on the ocean floor
Such wonderful things surround you
What more is you lookin' for?
Under the sea
Under the sea
Darling it's better
Down where it's wetter
Take it from me
Up on the shore they work all day
Out in the sun they slave away
While we devotin'
Full time to floatin'
Under the sea
Down here all the fish is happy
As off through the waves they roll
The fish on the land ain't happy
They sad 'cause they in their bowl
But fish in the bowl is lucky
They in for a worser fate
One day when the boss get hungry
Guess who gon' be on the plate?
Oh, no
Under the sea
Under the sea
Nobody beat us
Fry us and eat us
In fricassee
We what the land folks loves to cook
Under the sea we off the hook
We got no troubles
Life is the bubbles
Under the sea (under the sea)
Under the sea (under the sea)
Yes, child, since life is sweet here
We got the beat here
Naturally (naturally)
Even the sturgeon and the ray
They get the urge 'n start to play
We got the spirit
You got to hear it
Under the sea
Watch this
The newt play the flute
The carp play the harp
The plaice play the bass
And they soundin' sharp
The bass play the brass
The chub play the tub
The fluke is the duke of soul
Yeah!
The ray he can play
The lings on the strings
The trout rockin' out
The blackfish she sings
The smelt and the sprat
They know where it's at
And oh, that blowfish blow
Yeah, under the sea (under the sea)
Under the sea (under the sea)
When the sardine
Begin the beguine
It's music to me (music, it's to me)
What do they got? A lot of sand
We got a hot crustacean band
Each little clam here
Know how to jam here
Under the sea
Each little slug here
Cuttin' a rug here
Under the sea
Each little snail here
Know how to wail here
That's why it's hotter
Under the water
Ya, we in luck here
Down in the muck here
Under the sea
The human world is a mess
Life under the sea
Is better than anything they got goin' on up there
The seaweed is always greener
In somebody else's lake
You dream about going up there
But that is a big mistake
Just look at the world around you
Right here on the ocean floor
Such wonderful things surround you
What more is you lookin' for?
Under the sea
Under the sea
Darling it's better
Down where it's wetter
Take it from me
Up on the shore they work all day
Out in the sun they slave away
While we devotin'
Full time to floatin'
Under the sea
Down here all the fish is happy
As off through the waves they roll
The fish on the land ain't happy
They sad 'cause they in their bowl
But fish in the bowl is lucky
They in for a worser fate
One day when the boss get hungry
Guess who gon' be on the plate?
Oh, no
Under the sea
Under the sea
Nobody beat us
Fry us and eat us
In fricassee
We what the land folks loves to cook
Under the sea we off the hook
We got no troubles
Life is the bubbles
Under the sea (under the sea)
Under the sea (under the sea)
Yes, child, since life is sweet here
We got the beat here
Naturally (naturally)
Even the sturgeon and the ray
They get the urge 'n start to play
We got the spirit
You got to hear it
Under the sea
Watch this
The newt play the flute
The carp play the harp
The plaice play the bass
And they soundin' sharp
The bass play the brass
The chub play the tub
The fluke is the duke of soul
Yeah!
The ray he can play
The lings on the strings
The trout rockin' out
The blackfish she sings
The smelt and the sprat
They know where it's at
And oh, that blowfish blow
Yeah, under the sea (under the sea)
Under the sea (under the sea)
When the sardine
Begin the beguine
It's music to me (music, it's to me)
What do they got? A lot of sand
We got a hot crustacean band
Each little clam here
Know how to jam here
Under the sea
Each little slug here
Cuttin' a rug here
Under the sea
Each little snail here
Know how to wail here
That's why it's hotter
Under the water
Ya, we in luck here
Down in the muck here
Under the sea
Lyrics submitted by pixiedust133
Under The Sea [2023] Lyrics as written by Howard Elliott Ashman Alan Menken
Lyrics © Walt Disney Music Company
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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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.
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Great version of a great song,
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This song has always brought such the biggest smile on my face no matter how old I am.
i l-o-v-e the little mermaid!
this is the 2nd greatest song ever! the 1st being le poisson, which is in this film. i can play this on the piano, i bet u can't ahahahahahahahaha!
great song
I don't believe there is any other song in creation that can make me happy at the rate which this song can. ^_^
this song roks!!!!!!
hilarious, makes me smile...:)
LOVE THIS MOVIE, not to mention this song. Just gives me chills.
This is another song that just reminds me of my youthful days back when Disney movies were good and had fantastic songs.
The flow of the song is just excellent and the lyrics are amusing to sing when one is bored to bring a smile.
Such Nostalgia, ahh Disney, you magnificent thing you.
lmao did anyone see Homers rendition of this, where he ate all of the fishies, lol priceless this song is raw