Oceanographer's Choice Lyrics

Lyric discussion by burritoomg 

Cover art for Oceanographer's Choice lyrics by Mountain Goats, The

Although I think a lot of people interpret the physicality of what's going on as rough sex, I think it's actually straight up spousal abuse that culminates in the Alpha male drowning his wife. In fact, it's predicted (or premeditated) in "No Children":

"I am drowning, there is no sign of land You are coming down with me, hand in unlovable hand And I hope you die I hope we both die"

The "Oceanographer's Choice" refers to the fact that he chooses to kill them both by drowning. Examining the final words of the song:

"Look at that, would you look at that? The way the ceiling starts to swerve What will I do when I don't have you? When I finally get what I deserve"

Why is the ceiling swerving? Because his wife is looking up from underneath the water in the bathtub.

This leads into the next song on the album "Alpha Rats Nest" that refers to the Alpha male burning the house to the ground with him and his wife's lifeless body in it.

But then you have to take into account "Alpha Omega", where she finally leaves him. It's long been the last song in the Alpha saga.

Maybe it's the though of drowning her and burning the house down. like he is so unhappy that he begins to fantasize about killing both of them..

Great song tho.

I agree there is the theme of water but I don't think he does it. Just the fantasy. I really like Flatworms idea. Sounds like some allusion John would sneak in there.

I think the song The House that Dripped Blood is him possibly considering how to clean up the evidence? However he doesnt "cold water grows stagnant, bodies bloat" meaning it'll be found eventually.