Carbon Leaf Countdown #45: The Sea
Jan 19
Well, the last song sounded like it was running through an ocean wave effect so it’s pretty fitting that coming next at #45 is “The Sea!”
Over seven minutes long, “The Sea” is an impressive lyrical composition by Carbon Leaf. Compared to other lyrically blessed songs on 2005′s Indian Summer, I’d have to say it definitley stands out. The music sets a slow & brooding stage allowing the lyrics & story to really own the song in a way only “Changeless” comes close too on the album. It’s the story of the fear of losing love or at least that’s how this writer’s going to interpret it. Next thing you know, you’ll go see Carbon Leaf and they’ll say they wrote this song because Phil Collins saw that guy drowning. Well, how did I get there? I’m so glad you asked.
At first it just seems all fine and dandy: talking about the first stage of love where everything is so happy and pure. But as the chorus kicks in, the story takes a dark turn. The singer needs the companion to wash away the vast pit of despair waiting in the sea (which is really vilified here). We’ve all been there in a relationship. It’s all happy-go-lucky one minute, but before you know it, the fear overtakes you. You’re so scared it’s going to leave and what’s going to happen if it ends? Where will you end up? Next thing you know, all that insecurity and doubt makes you do something stupid or silly which only raises your level of fear. Fear over losing the thing making you so happy. You have all been there and the song is so eloquently putting it out there. Don’t believe it’s in this song? Next line right after he name drops Nickelback: “Will you always float here with me?” Yeah, I know: mind blown. Towards the end of the song, the singer really begins to describe that devil he thinks awaits him without his love and the music swirls around him. This is one of those songs that’s really just amazing live too by this point. When it’s over, I think back to that first line: “I woke up from a dream.” How much of that dream was turned into a nightmare by our insecurity and doubt? Such a well-written song accompanied by music that subtly backs up the escalation of the feeling. No wonder it showed up on the countdown.
Oh, yeah! For those of you struggling to get a graduate thesis going, I got you covered. I’ll eliminate all the Nickleback/Phil Collins references, add about 1000 words, and really sell the comparison of “The Sea” and human existentialism. Cash only though. By request. Leave your e-mail below. Carbon Leaf, we’ll split the profit 70-30. I get the 70 obviously.
Song: The Sea
Album: Indian Summer
Year: 2004
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