{"id":3625,"date":"2026-07-06T15:07:17","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T19:07:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.songfacts.com\/articles\/?p=3625"},"modified":"2026-07-06T15:07:20","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T19:07:20","slug":"the-meaning-behind-the-jayhawks-newest-single-keeping-our-heads-above-water","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.songfacts.com\/articles\/the-meaning-behind-the-jayhawks-newest-single-keeping-our-heads-above-water\/","title":{"rendered":"The Meaning Behind The Jayhawks\u2019 Newest Single \u201cKeeping Our Heads Above Water\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Since the 1980s, The Jayhawks<\/a> have been alternative-country pioneers. Gary Louris has served as the band’s principal singer\/songwriter since the 1990s. The Twin Cities-based group is set to release a new album on August 28 titled Sanctuary Park<\/em>. It’s the band’s 12th studio release and their first in six years. The album was produced by legendary rock producer Bob Ezrin, known for his work with Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd, and KISS. Previously, Ezrin produced The Jayhawks’ Smile<\/em><\/a>, released in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One single has been released ahead of the new album, “Keeping Our Heads Above Water”. It’s a song about a fight for survival while barely staying alive, hence the expression used in the title. It starts as a conversation, where the narrator is listening to his girlfriend’s concerns. She indicates personal struggles, and the narrator relates to them. The song’s first verse references Romeo & Juliet, which indicates a turbulent relationship between the two. “Romeo and Juliet, they said we couldn’t win.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

She don’t know how she can win
She don’t know where to begin
She’s looking out for a friend
She’s calling out in the darkness<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keeping our heads above water
Trying to learn how to swim
Saying you’re all I got just to breathe again<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Jayhawks Achieve a No. 1 on the Americana Singles Chart<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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