How Deep Is The Ocean

Song Meaning

Diana Krall's rendition of "How Deep Is The Ocean" isn't just a love song; it's an existential inquiry wrapped in the velvet of her voice. The lyrics don't simply ask 'how much do I love you,' but rather use the immensity of nature – the ocean's depths, the sky's height, the distance to a star – as a measuring stick for emotions that defy quantification. It's a classic torch song trope, but Krall's delivery elevates it beyond simple sentimentality. The repetition of the questions underscores the almost desperate need to define the indefinable. It's as if the speaker is trying to map the contours of their heart using the vastness of the universe. The brilliance of "How Deep Is The Ocean" lies in its understanding of the human psyche’s need for concrete answers, even when dealing with abstract feelings. The lyrics create a paradox: love, by its very nature, is boundless and immeasurable, yet we crave to put a number on it, to understand its limits. The song wisely avoids providing any definitive answers, instead dwelling in the beautiful, anxious space of uncertainty. The journey, not the destination, becomes the focal point. Ultimately, the song meaning circles back to the inherent limitations of language when attempting to capture the full scope of human emotion. Krall's performance, especially the instrumental interludes, suggests that the answers to these questions aren't to be found in words, but rather in the unspoken spaces between them. It's a testament to the power of music to express what language alone cannot, a sonic exploration of love's profound and ultimately unknowable depths.