Swimming Pool

Emmy The Great's song 'Swimming Pool' is a poetic exploration of desire, envy, and the intoxicating allure of a seemingly perfect life. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a 'rich kid' whose life is symbolized by a pristine, blue swimming pool. This pool represents not just material wealth but also an idealized state of being that the narrator yearns for. The imagery of the 'straight line in the sky' and 'so clear and so, so new' evokes a sense of purity and unattainable perfection.

The narrator's longing is palpable as they express a desire to 'reach out and touch' this ideal life, only to find it elusive. The swimming pool becomes a metaphor for the barriers between different social classes and the emotional distance that wealth can create. The repeated refrain of 'Hey, rich kid, I want it' underscores the narrator's envy and the deep-seated wish to experience the carefree, sun-drenched existence that the rich kid embodies.

At its core, the song also delves into the theme of love and self-worth. The narrator admits that love is something they 'could never go inside,' suggesting a sense of unworthiness or fear of vulnerability. However, the sight of the rich kid and their swimming pool sparks a transformation, making the narrator question their previous existence and igniting a desire to be part of that world, even if just for a while. The song captures the bittersweet realization that while the allure of the swimming pool is strong, it may always remain just out of reach, a symbol of what could be but never fully attained.