Black Wave/Bad Vibrations Lyrics

Lyric discussion by brokenspoons 

Cover art for Black Wave/Bad Vibrations lyrics by Arcade Fire

my interpretation: something, or someone, has made this person want to leave everything, and change his or her name-- basically leaving their life behind. They run to the shore, and swim in the ocean (but the sounds follow him) aka they can never escape the memories and their past. I have no idea what the black wave represents... death, or a new life possibly. or maybe it doesn't represent anything. booya.