Pools by Glass Animals Lyrics Meaning – Diving Deep into Emotional Currents

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Glass Animals's Pools at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

We float before the sea at dusk
In heavy mist, in glitter dust
I smile before I want to
I smile because you want to

We sip the wind through lips of lust
And out it comes, warm wisps of love
I smile because I want to
I smile because you want to

Put the flowers in your hair
Wrap your tendrils ’round my chest
I smile because I want to
I am your boy

Shake my little soul for you now, toy
And I settle up into a world of noise
I’m a man of many tricks and tools and joy
With a battery of guilt on which to poise

Down by the shore, a funny foal
Who bit my wings and ate ’em whole
You left before I come to
You left before I come to

We took the hills into the trees
I hit my hand and bit the leaves
You left before I come through
You left before I

Shake my little soul for you now, toy
And I settle up into a world of noise
I’m a man of many tricks and tools and joy
With a battery of guilt on which to poise

Shanks of slate fall to the beach
Wrapped in life in ultra-green
Pools teem with tiny feet
And whorls of tired anemones

You left before I got to you
You left before I got to you
You left before I
You left before I

Shook the flowers from your hair
Run to me and kiss my hand
I’m dead before I, I’m dead before I

Shake my little soul for you now, toy
And I settle up into a world of noise
I’m a man of many tricks and tools and joy
With a battery of guilt on which to poise

Shake my little soul for you now, toy
And I settle up into a world of noise
I’m a man of many tricks and tools and joy
With a battery of guilt on which to poise

I smile because I want to
I smile because I want to
I smile because I want to
I smile because I want to
I smile because I want to
I smile because I want to
I smile because I want to
I smile because I want to

Amidst the rolling waves of indie music, Glass Animals has emerged as a purveyor of lush, psychedelic soundscapes. Their track ‘Pools’ from the album ‘ZABA’ is a standout, weaving intricate verbal imagery with hypnotic melodies. The narrative takes listeners on a journey that is as emotionally stirring as it is sonically captivating, leaving many to ponder the deeper meanings behind the engaging verses.

Understanding ‘Pools’ requires a plunge into metaphorical depths, where language and sound interplay to reveal the complexity of human emotions. Behind its ethereal tone and tranquilizing rhythm, lies a tale that speaks to the soul about love, longing, and the oscillation between joy and guilt—a universal duality that resonates with many listeners.

An Ocean of Metaphors: Interpreting the Elemental Imagery

From the outset, ‘Pools’ submerges us in a world where the elements take on human qualities and emotions become natural occurrences. ‘We float before the sea at dusk’ conjures images of calm introspection, while phrases like ‘heavy mist’ and ‘glitter dust’ lend the song a mystical aura.

The personification of the wind and the warmth of ‘wisps of love’ suggests an intimacy between humanity and nature, a bond that is almost sacred. This relationship between the external environment and the internal sentiment forms the backbone of the song’s lyrical voyage.

The Dance of Desire: Exposing the Song’s Core Emotions

There is a palpable tension in ‘Pools’ that pivots on the interplay of desire and happiness. ‘I smile because I want to/I smile because you want to’ illuminates the push-and-pull nature of fulfilling one’s own desires as well as those of a partner.

As the song progresses, it delves into the idea of smiling—not simply as an act of joy, but as a complex emotional response that is at times both voluntary and coerced. This theme is the emotional crux that Glass Animals explore, offering a nuanced perspective on the link between individual agency and relational dynamics.

Sinking Into Lyrics: The Profound Weight of ‘Battery of Guilt’

Amidst the botanical and oceanic references lies the striking metaphor ‘a battery of guilt’. This line, heavy with implication, suggests a constant presence of remorse or self-reproach, an invisible burden the narrator carries.

The contrast between the playful descriptions of the environment and the leaden guilt introduces an undercurrent of darkness to the song, signaling that beneath the surface of this sea of emotions, there lies a deeper, more troubled layer that is waiting to be acknowledged by the listener.

Ephemeral Love and Loss: The Haunting Echoes of ‘You Left Before I’

A thread of melancholy weaves through ‘Pools’, embodied in the refrain ‘You left before I’. As much as the song is about the beauty and connection to life, it is equally about absence and the echo that loss leaves in its wake.

The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the raw sense of departure and the haunting feeling of being left behind. The inherent tragedy of this sentiment highlights Glass Animals’ ability to craft a soundscape that is as poignant as it is picturesque.

Whispers to Roars: The Memorable Lines that Define ‘Pools’

Certain lines within ‘Pools’ act as anchors, drawing listeners deeper into its narrative flow. ‘Shanks of slate fall to the beach’ and ‘whorls of tired anemones’ are not merely ornate language; they serve as vivid snapshots that capture the startling beauty and inherent violence of nature.

These lines linger, leaving an indelible mark on the consciousness, and invite interpretations that go beyond their face value. They are the poetic pulses that keep the song’s thematic heart beating, revealing that every verse of ‘Pools’ is laden with significance, waiting to be unearthed by the attentive ear.