Submarine

Song Meaning

The lyrics of "Submarine" immediately plunge the listener into a world of contrasting states: a speaker lost in cosmic detachment, yet desperately striving for connection. Opening with "head's in the clouds" but quickly shifting to having "swam through the tears," there's an immediate tension. The repeated call to "Submarine" anchors this yearning for a specific kind of descent or transport. A profound sense of impending doom and mental struggle permeates the verses. The speaker observes another person overwhelmed by "impending doom" and slipping into a "deep abyss." This creates a central conflict: the speaker's attempts to connect and "keep you warm" against the other's internal barriers, described as "blankets of your mind." The most striking craft element is the dualistic imagery, juxtaposing vast cosmic detachment with the profound depths of the ocean. Phrases like "stuck inside a rocketship" give way to the recurring plea to "Submarine" and "Ocean queen." This shift from airy, distant isolation to a deep, watery embrace suggests a search for solace or understanding in a different kind of oblivion. The line "the moon was only here to stop the sunshine" further twists conventional imagery, hinting at a world where even light brings no comfort. These lyrics are effective because they externalize complex emotional states through vivid, almost surreal metaphors. The "Submarine" isn't just a vehicle; it embodies a desire to navigate difficult, "drifting waters" and explore the "dreamin' deep sea" of a troubled mind. The speaker's persistent "my love" against the backdrop of despair and mental barriers creates a powerful sense of longing and a poignant struggle to maintain connection in the face of overwhelming internal forces.