Songfacts®:

• Masked Wolf (real name Harry Michael) is a rapper from Sydney, Australia, who dropped his debut single, "Speed Racer," in December 2018. "Astronaut In The Ocean," originally released through Teamwrk Records in 2019, was re-released in early 2021 after he signed to US-based label Elektra Records. The song quickly achieved chart success worldwide, becoming his first hit.
• Like many of Masked Wolf's songs, the brooding track tackles the topics of mental health and well being. The rapper revealed to Tone Deaf: "'Astronaut In The Ocean' touches on mental depression, how I was stuck in a place of anxiety and feeling low."
• During the chorus, Masked Wolf describes his depression as feeling as if he's "rollin' down in the deep" ocean. He illustrates this by comparing his feeling to astronauts preparing for their trips by spending time underwater. Doing their tasks in a giant pool simulates the feeling of weightlessness in space.
• Masked Wolf recorded the song with Tyron Hapi. The Melbourne producer is best known for his 2017 track "Anyway," which he recorded aged 17.
• The song gained traction after TikTokers started using the intro for videos showcasing various physical feats.
• After graduating from school, the Sydney, Australia native tirelessly worked in sales to fund recording. He cut hundreds of songs and worked hard on his craft before dropping his independent debut single "Speed Racer" in 2018. By the time he achieved his breakthrough, Masked Wolf had been rapping for over a decade.
  
  Speaking with Audacy's, Bru, he said this song nods to his struggles to find his place within the music industry and having to wait for a long time before he achieved any success.
• Why Masked Wolf? Harry Michael told Tone Deaf it's because there are two sides to him: He transforms from a normal, mild-mannered man by day into an unrestrained wolf/beast in the studio.