Meaning and Lyrics of You Are the Ocean by Phantogram
Song Lyrics meaning of You Are the Ocean by Phantogram
About Phantogram
Phantogram is an American music duo formed in 2007, comprised of long-time friends Sarah Barthel (vocals, keyboards) and Josh Carter (vocals, guitars). The pair hails from Greenwich, New York and has made a significant mark on the indie-electronic music scene with their distinct blend of ethereal synths, shoegaze-inspired guitars, and catchy beats. Originally known as Charlie Everywhere, they rebranded to Phantogram and released their debut album “Eyelid Movies” to critical acclaim in 2009.
Their sound is often described as a mix of dream pop, electronica, and trip-hop, characterized by atmospheric production and emotive lyrics. The duo has consistently experimented with their musical style, pushing the boundaries between genres. Phantogram has toured extensively and has performed at many major festivals, establishing a dedicated fan base around the world.
One notable example of their work is the song “You Are the Ocean,” which showcases their penchant for haunting melodies and lush, layered instrumentation. This track further solidifies Phantogram’s reputation for creating emotionally resonant and sonically sophisticated music.
Phantogram continues to evolve, proving that they are not confined by traditional genre boundaries, making them a compelling and influential act within the modern music landscape.
Meaning of You Are the Ocean by Phantogram
“You Are the Ocean” by Phantogram is a song that delves into themes of dependency, loneliness, and emotional turmoil. The lyrics convey a sense of deep connection and entanglement with someone, symbolically described as the ocean throughout the song.
In the first verse, the singer acknowledges that the song is about the person they can’t live without, highlighting the problems and difficulties that come with this intense bond. The mention of choosing problems suggests a conscious decision to engage in a relationship that might be challenging.
The second verse paints a vivid picture of internal and external struggles, comparing the emotional void to a physical hole that persists like a runny nose or an unstoppable flow of water. The impending sense of something approaching reflects the anxieties and uncertainties that accompany such intense emotions.
The bridge section serves as a contemplative moment, signaling a shift in focus or perspective leading into the chorus. In the chorus, the repeated declaration that “you are the ocean” suggests the overwhelming nature of the relationship, with the singer feeling adept at “drowning” in the emotions and complexities that come with it.
The imagery of looking out towards the morning, the passage of time, and a sense of forgetfulness in the chorus speaks to the cyclic nature of emotions and experiences within the relationship. The repetition of “you should be looking out” can be interpreted as a plea or a warning, underscoring the volatile and potentially damaging nature of the connection.
The third verse further explores the changing seasons and how they mirror the fluctuating emotional states of the singer. The feelings of loneliness and instability persist, leading to a sense of emotional turmoil and possibly a feeling of being trapped in a never-ending cycle, paralleling the eternal nature of the ocean.
Overall, “You Are the Ocean” portrays a complex and turbulent relationship, capturing the emotional highs and lows that come with intense connections. The ocean serves as a powerful metaphor for the depths of emotion, the unpredictability of relationships, and the overwhelming nature of love and dependency.
In the first verse, the singer acknowledges that the song is about the person they can’t live without, highlighting the problems and difficulties that come with this intense bond. The mention of choosing problems suggests a conscious decision to engage in a relationship that might be challenging.
The second verse paints a vivid picture of internal and external struggles, comparing the emotional void to a physical hole that persists like a runny nose or an unstoppable flow of water. The impending sense of something approaching reflects the anxieties and uncertainties that accompany such intense emotions.
The bridge section serves as a contemplative moment, signaling a shift in focus or perspective leading into the chorus. In the chorus, the repeated declaration that “you are the ocean” suggests the overwhelming nature of the relationship, with the singer feeling adept at “drowning” in the emotions and complexities that come with it.
The imagery of looking out towards the morning, the passage of time, and a sense of forgetfulness in the chorus speaks to the cyclic nature of emotions and experiences within the relationship. The repetition of “you should be looking out” can be interpreted as a plea or a warning, underscoring the volatile and potentially damaging nature of the connection.
The third verse further explores the changing seasons and how they mirror the fluctuating emotional states of the singer. The feelings of loneliness and instability persist, leading to a sense of emotional turmoil and possibly a feeling of being trapped in a never-ending cycle, paralleling the eternal nature of the ocean.
Overall, “You Are the Ocean” portrays a complex and turbulent relationship, capturing the emotional highs and lows that come with intense connections. The ocean serves as a powerful metaphor for the depths of emotion, the unpredictability of relationships, and the overwhelming nature of love and dependency.
Lyrics of You Are the Ocean by Phantogram
Verse 1
This song is about you
Cause I can't live without you
When a song is about you
Then you know you've got problems
That you can choose
Verse 2
There's a hole in my conscience
There's a hole in my country
Like a nose that keeps runnin'
Like a hose that won't stop flowin'
And I know that it's comin'
It's coming
It's coming
It's coming soon
Bridge
Here's why
Chorus
Cause you are the ocean
And I'm good at drownin'
You should be lookin' out
The mornin' will follow
And I won't remember
You should be lookin' out
It feels like I've been here
I've been here forever
You should be lookin' out
You should be lookin' out
Verse 3
In the fall I get lonely
In the winter I'm still lonely
Come the knives of the springtime
In the summer I go crazy
Chorus
Cause you are the ocean
And I'm good at drownin'
You should be lookin' out
The mornin' will follow
And I won't remember
You should be lookin' out
It feels like I've been here
I've been here forever
You should be lookin' out
You should be lookin' out
This song is about you
Cause I can't live without you
When a song is about you
Then you know you've got problems
That you can choose
Verse 2
There's a hole in my conscience
There's a hole in my country
Like a nose that keeps runnin'
Like a hose that won't stop flowin'
And I know that it's comin'
It's coming
It's coming
It's coming soon
Bridge
Here's why
Chorus
Cause you are the ocean
And I'm good at drownin'
You should be lookin' out
The mornin' will follow
And I won't remember
You should be lookin' out
It feels like I've been here
I've been here forever
You should be lookin' out
You should be lookin' out
Verse 3
In the fall I get lonely
In the winter I'm still lonely
Come the knives of the springtime
In the summer I go crazy
Chorus
Cause you are the ocean
And I'm good at drownin'
You should be lookin' out
The mornin' will follow
And I won't remember
You should be lookin' out
It feels like I've been here
I've been here forever
You should be lookin' out
You should be lookin' out
Discography Phantogram
Eyelid Movies (Expanded Edition)
Release: 2022-11-11
Label: Barsuk Records
Popularity: 👏
Ceremony
Release: 2020-03-06
Label: Barsuk Records
Popularity: 👏
Three
Release: 2016-10-07
Label: Universal Records
Popularity: 👏
Upcoming Events for Phantogram
Kings of Leon: Can We Please Have Fun
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Date: 2024-08-22
Location: Kia Forum
Kings of Leon: Can We Please Have Fun
Price Range: $39.5 – 149.5
Date: 2024-09-28
Location: Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
Kings of Leon: Can We Please Have Fun
Price Range: $39.5 – 149.5
Date: 2024-08-17
Location: Dickies Arena
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Eyelid Movies (Expanded Edition)
Release: 2022-11-11
Label: Barsuk Records
Popularity: 👏
Ceremony
Release: 2020-03-06
Label: Barsuk Records
Popularity: 👏
Three
Release: 2016-10-07
Label: Universal Records
Popularity: 👏👏
Accurate. In a live recording of this recording, singer josh states that this song is about addictions. this can apply to people as well as controlled substances. Indulging in either one when it isn’t good for you long term will always lead to despair.