Swallowed
by Bush

Album: Razorblade Suitcase (1996)
Charted: 7
Play Video
  • Warm sun feed me up
    I'm leery loaded up
    Loathing for a change
    And I slip some
    Boil away

    Swallowed, followed
    Heavy about everything but my love
    Swallowed, sorrowed
    I'm with everyone and yet not
    I'm with everyone and yet not
    I'm with everyone and yet

    Just wanted to be myself
    Hey you said you would love to try some
    Hey you said you would love to die some
    In the middle of a world on a fishhook
    You're the wave, you're the wave, you're the wave

    Swallowed, borrowed
    Heavy about everything but my love
    Swallowed, hollowed
    Sharp about everyone but yourself
    Swallowed, oh no
    I'm with everyone and yet not
    I'm with everyone and yet not
    I'm with everyone and you're not
    I'm with everyone and yet

    Piss on self-esteem
    Forward busted knee
    Sick head, blackened lungs
    And I'm a simple selfish son

    Swallowed, followed
    Heavy about everything but my love
    Swallowed, oh no
    I'm with everyone and yet not
    I'm with everyone and yet not
    I'm with everyone and yet not

    Got to get away from here
    Got to get away from here
    Got to get away from here
    Got to get away from here

    Miss the one that I love a lot
    I miss the one that I love a lot
    I miss the one that I love a lot
    I love Writer/s: Gavin Rossdale
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 9

  • Areejijo from Englandi think it's about addiction,"i'm with everyone and yet not" he's there physically with everyone, yet his mind is in another place - he isn't mentally there
    when he says "hey you said you would love to try some, hey you said you would love to die some" is quite self explanatory when u put it in the context of addiction - but not just drugs, food addiction could apply (with the other lyrics too), health complications that come with, or even binge eating; "swallowed, sorrowed" as in binging and the guilt that comes after "sharp about everyone but yourself" - not wanting to wish addiction upon anyone else but not caring when it comes to you - also because of the rule between addicts to never give someone their first shot of heroin, that is being sharp about everyone but yourself "sick head, blackened lungs and i'm a simple selfish son" is also quite self explanatory in that context
  • Ron T from Nj, UsaTo me it's line "slip some boil-away" that makes me think it's about heroin, since heroin is prepared by boiling away the impurities.
  • Wwgt from TexasWhatever lyrical interpretation the listener may hear, guitar wise, this song is a masterpiece of muted tones, loud quiet loud, classic chord progressions. Rooted in The Pixies, enhanced by Nirvana, and Perfected here.
  • Timothy E Lavin from Saint Charles, IlMan for those who don't see it he was dating Courtney Love at the time.... this was also not so long after Cobain died. I knew that was her in the video, this was during a period Gavin and Gwen who had met the year prior were "taking a break".
  • Timmy from Miami, FlTo me, this song is about him losing the love of his life. Gavin is saying that the pain that's the heartbreak is causing has to be swallowed in a way. Even though he's around people who love him (i.e family and friends) but she's the only one that can make him happy or better again. (I'm with everyone and yet not; heavy on everything but my love). She is the only thing that can make him happier and since she doesn't want him, he wants to leave to get away from all the pain. (i gotta get away from here.... i miss the one that i love a lot)
  • Alison from Monterey, CaI think this song is mainly about the downside of fame and touring (swallowed, followed, borrowed, worm on a fish hook, etc.). It's about feeling down and being away from the one you love. "I'm with everyone and yet not." The crowd loves you at a concert, but they are really just strangers.
  • Dave from Cardiff, WalesBush had already taken America by storm in 1996 before the band - then unknown in their native Britain - scored their first major UK hit with this single at the end of the year
  • Saf from Qnz, FlI think Swallowed is talking about almost any type of addiction. Ex:heroin, alcoholism, smoking. Even food addiction (swallowed).
    It's a good song. I love the break down, 'Hey you said you would love to try some...' The darkening lyrics don't match the almost care-free bass line in the back. It's sexy.
  • Alex from Narberth, PaThis song is great. It reminds me of my friend who is on drugs and his transition into drugs with the line "Hey you said that you would love to try some,
    Hey you said you would love to die some". Its sad. But true.
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