Drag The Waters by Pantera

Album: The Great Southern Trendkill (1996)

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Songfacts®:

The music video contains a spoken introduction that explains this song's meaning:

In everyday life, there is more than meets the eye.
To reach the depths of truth, we must drag the waters

In a literal sense, dragging the waters means using a net or other device to search the bottom of a river or lake, often looking for bodies. In this song, the phrase is a metaphor for finding the deeper meaning, especially when it comes to people. Humans often adapt to their social surroundings and will tell you what you want to hear, and it is your job to question their motives and ascertain their real intentions.
In our interview with Pantera bass player Rex Brown, he explained: "'Drag the Waters,' that's something Dime [guitarist Dimebag Darrell] had that just turned into a little ditty that became a single, of all things. People look at it now and go, Goddamn. They try to get so technical with everything, 'Oh, how did they do that?' Well, it just came naturally. There was no set form how to do it, you just get together and start jamming. That's how you do stuff. That's another one of those 'one-note wonder songs' that worked. It's all about the groove."
Dimebag Darrell directed the video, which was shot in black and white. It was included in the Pantera home video release 3 Watch It Go, which Darrell also directed.

Comments: 13

Christi from Milford OhioI agree, you have to drag the waters on almost every thing today. Commercials on tv, websites and the s--tty companies behind them. Nothing means what it says anymore, just like he said people are not who they portray to be. It's all about the mighty dollar,, say it's $20 but when it's all said and done it's two to three times that. I miss my PANTERA, they are one of a kind, there will never ever be another band like them,,kindof like there will only be one OZZY!!!! God bless dimebag and Vinnie,,as well as wishing the best to PHIL and REX. Badass band!!!
Eric from New Mexico"5 minutes alone" is an incident that happened at a concert. Phil stopped the concert and got the audience to stomp on the guy. The kids dad threatened to sue and offered "Just give me 5 minutes alone. I'll obliterate this punk" so Phil offered "anytime, anywhere" and the dad never said another word. Pantera paid out some money in the end. Nothing to do with his drug od. There are videos out there that can be looked up where Phil explains it in his own words.
Nick from Indy"I read your eyes, your mind was made up/You took me for a fool/You used complexion of my skin for a counter
rascist tool."
Nick from IndySo, Josh from Lancaster, Ohio... you're completely wrong.
Nick from Indy5 Minutes Alone is about Phil's anger over an incident with an interviewer where his supposed "white power" past was brought up and the issues it caused. That's why there's, you know, all they stuff about race and anger. Not drugs. You're thinking of Good Friends and a Bottle of Pills or Suicide Note.
Ernie from Unionville, MiJosh from Lancaster, OH
How do you figure that 5 minutes alone is about Phil overdosing? Read or listen to the lyrics, it doesn't talk about anything like that. If I'm wrong tell me but I'm pretty sure it ain't about that but instead of Phil and a some guy at a Pantera concert, getting into a fight. btw...Drag the waters: One of their best (to me)
Josh from Lancaster, Ohfive minutes alone is about when phil OD on drugs and he was dead for 5 minutes until they brought him back look it up
Nick from Cairns, AustraliaHeavy, heavy, heavy f****** song!!! that chorus riff is so aggresive and full of attitude. Heck, i loved the song the first time i heard the intro come up. Phils great with his vocals and screams here. I see why avenged sevenfold's singer m. shadows (matt sanders) got his screaming from .R.I.P Dimebag Darrell.
Kodi from Sydney, CanadaCool song all of Pantera's songs are the best.

R.I.P Dime
Josh from Thornhill, Canadaamazing song, RIP dimebag. does anyone get reminded of whole lotta love solo during this solo? dime was definitely inspired by it. and matt, youre defintiely thinking of five minutes alone cuz phil said that if he had 5 minutes alone wiht the kids father, he would beat the sh*t out of him.
Josh from Troy, AlMatt in Uniontown is confused. The song "Five Minutes Alone" is the song that he's thinking about, but even then all his facts aren't correct.
Devon from Westerville, Ohthis song is freakin heavy. one of my favorites from Trendkill. RIP Dimebag.
Matt from Uniontown , Pawhat i heard was this: at one of their concerts, Phil got in a fight with some kid, and basically whooped him to the ground. the kid then threatened Phil that his father was a lawyer, and they were gonna sue him to hell and back, and Phil literally threatened to kill him and throw him in a river, and wrote a song about it.

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