Deeper Well

Nada Surf's song 'Deeper Well' delves into the complexities of emotional struggles and the feeling of being trapped in an unending cycle of despair. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of falling into a metaphorical 'big hole,' symbolizing a deepening well of emotional turmoil. The repeated questioning of 'how do you know' and the reference to 'the big o' suggest a sense of confusion and uncertainty about the depth and nature of these feelings. The 'big o' could be interpreted as a void or an overwhelming sense of nothingness that the narrator is grappling with.

The song also touches on the theme of being pursued by one's own fears and anxieties, as seen in the lines 'to feel they're following me.' This imagery evokes a sense of paranoia and the inescapability of one's inner demons. The mention of 'Marie' could be a personal reference or a symbolic figure representing someone the narrator confides in or seeks solace from. The act of painting a tear and questioning whether it would make matters clear or shed doubt highlights the struggle to communicate and make sense of one's emotions.

The lyrics further explore the idea of feeling trapped within societal expectations and the monotony of life, as expressed in 'I've got to get away from the bricks, all these straight lines are making me sick.' This line suggests a desire to break free from the rigid structures and constraints that contribute to the narrator's emotional distress. The song's overall tone is one of introspection and a yearning for understanding and escape from the cyclical nature of their emotional pain.