Drowning
Harmony Amidst Hatred: Decoding Hootie & the Blowfish's Powerful Message
Lyrics
Trouble with the world is we're too busy to think about it all right
Trouble with the world is the pervasive busyness preventing thoughtful consideration.
Why is there a rebel flag hanging from the state house walls?
Questioning the presence of a rebel flag on state house walls.
Tired of hearin' this shit about heritage not hate
Expressing frustration about the justification of the rebel flag based on heritage rather than promoting hate.
Time to make the world a better place
Advocating for efforts to make the world a better place.
Why must we hate one another?
Pondering why there is hatred among people.
Well no matter what we gotta live together
Emphasizing the need to coexist despite differences.
Just that you don't look like me tell me what do you see
Questioning perceptions based on appearance.
When we pass on the street what do you want to see
Asking what people desire to see when encountering others on the street.
P.E.'s coming is all I gotta say
Referring to Public Enemy's influence, suggesting a need for awareness and change.
Want to turn and run away
Feeling the inclination to escape from challenging realities.
They're just telling you how they see it
Highlighting the importance of expressing perspectives, regardless of correctness.
Right or wrong they don't care
Indicating a disregard for right or wrong in expressing viewpoints.
You wish that they would quit
Expressing a desire for the cease of divisive discussions.
chorus: Drowning in a sea of tears
Chorus: Describing the feeling of being overwhelmed by sorrow.
Hatred trying to hide your fears
Describing hatred as an attempt to conceal underlying fears.
Living only for yourself
Criticizing self-centered living.
Hating everybody else cause they don't look like you
Connecting hatred to the difference in appearance.
Nanci singing it's a hard life wherever you go
Referencing Nanci Griffith's song about the challenges in life.
About some fat racist living in Chicago
Describing a narrative about a prejudiced person in Chicago.
Trying to teach his kids to hate everyone
Criticizing the teaching of hate to children.
Well tell me why is that something you want to teach your son?
Questioning the motive behind teaching hatred to a son.
Why must we hate one another?
Pondering the persistence of hatred among people.
When the people in the church, they tell me you're my brother
Contrasting the idea of brotherhood preached in church with the reality of differences.
You don't walk like me
Noting differences in behavior.
You don't talk like me
Pointing out differences in communication.
Saying go back to Africa
Quoting offensive remarks suggesting racial separation.
I just don't understand
Expressing confusion and frustration about such sentiments.
(chorus) I'm trying to be someone that he could look up to
Reiterating the desire to be a positive role model.
But when I walk down the street, tell me what do you see
Prompting consideration of how the narrator is perceived while walking down the street.
I'm a man, I'm a man, I'm a man
Affirming the narrator's identity as a man, emphasizing individuality.
No I'm not like you
Asserting the uniqueness of the narrator compared to others.
Why do you hate me so
Posing a question about the origin of hatred directed at the narrator.
I don't know, I don't know, I don't know
Expressing uncertainty about the reasons behind the animosity.
Hating everybody else cause they don't look like you
Reiterating the connection between hatred and differences in appearance.
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