Drown

The Smashing Pumpkins' song 'Drown' delves into themes of longing, memory, and emotional resonance. The lyrics convey a sense of persistent connection, even across great distances and time. The opening lines, 'No matter where you are, I can still hear you when you drown,' suggest an enduring bond that transcends physical presence. This connection is further emphasized by the repetition of 'you traveled very far,' indicating a journey, possibly both literal and metaphorical, that the subject has undertaken. The imagery of traveling 'like a star' evokes a sense of celestial distance and timelessness, reinforcing the idea of an unbreakable link despite separation.

The recurring phrase 'All of those yesterdays coming around' hints at the cyclical nature of memories and emotions. The past is not a distant, forgotten place but something that continually resurfaces, influencing the present. This is underscored by the lines 'Yesterday the sky was you, and I still feel the same,' which suggest that the subject's presence was once all-encompassing, like the sky, and that their impact remains unchanged over time. The song's melancholic tone is further deepened by the questions 'Is it something someone said?' which imply a lingering uncertainty and introspection about the cause of the emotional distance.

The closing lines, 'I wish, I wish I could fly, I wish, I wish I could lie,' express a desire for escape and perhaps a wish to alter reality. The repeated 'I will, I will try, I will, I will, goodbye' signifies a resolution to move forward, despite the emotional weight. The song captures the essence of longing and the struggle to reconcile with the past, making it a poignant reflection on the enduring nature of emotional connections and the difficulty of letting go.