In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Oh, Penelope
Are you filled with air?
Swallowed oxygen that make you float up?
Is it dropsy?
Where your lungs swell?
It's depressing me to see you struggle.
Oh, Penelope
Are you filled with air?
Swallowed oxygen that make you float up?
Is it dropsy?
Where your lungs swell?
It's depressing me to see you struggle.
I'm treading water with my oars
Glass galleons anchored, ocean's floor
I'm diving down with all my gear
In search of treasure, para me corazon
Take you to the forest.
Let you feel the raindrops falling down
Seeping through your red scales
Eliminate the faucet
Eliminate the need for water
Replace it with a safe shell
Don't want to see you floating upside down
On the top of the bowl when I come around to visit you
Don't want to see you floating upside down
No, girl
Need you there
Need you there
Need you there
Release that air
I'm treading water with my oars ( Release that air )
Glass galleons anchored, ocean's floor
I'm diving down with all my gear ( Release that air )
In search of treasure, para me corazon
Take you to the forest.
Let you feel the raindrops falling down
Seeping through your red scales
Eliminate the faucet
Eliminate the need for water
Replace it with a safe shell
If they summon the rains now
Are you gonna rise?
If they summon the rains now
Are you gonna rise?
Are you filled with air?
Swallowed oxygen that make you float up?
Is it dropsy?
Where your lungs swell?
It's depressing me to see you struggle.
Oh, Penelope
Are you filled with air?
Swallowed oxygen that make you float up?
Is it dropsy?
Where your lungs swell?
It's depressing me to see you struggle.
I'm treading water with my oars
Glass galleons anchored, ocean's floor
I'm diving down with all my gear
In search of treasure, para me corazon
Take you to the forest.
Let you feel the raindrops falling down
Seeping through your red scales
Eliminate the faucet
Eliminate the need for water
Replace it with a safe shell
Don't want to see you floating upside down
On the top of the bowl when I come around to visit you
Don't want to see you floating upside down
No, girl
Need you there
Need you there
Need you there
Release that air
I'm treading water with my oars ( Release that air )
Glass galleons anchored, ocean's floor
I'm diving down with all my gear ( Release that air )
In search of treasure, para me corazon
Take you to the forest.
Let you feel the raindrops falling down
Seeping through your red scales
Eliminate the faucet
Eliminate the need for water
Replace it with a safe shell
If they summon the rains now
Are you gonna rise?
If they summon the rains now
Are you gonna rise?
Lyrics submitted by fadedplasticflowers, edited by Nezumi
Penelope Lyrics as written by Wayne Shorter
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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the first hundred times you listen to it, you tend to think it's about a goldfish. then one day, you're listening to it, a bit hungover, and think that maybe it's about a drug or alcohol problem. then you listen to it again and realize you're reading too far into it. and then you think it's about a fish again.
lol I love your comment!
9 Years later, I happen to see this again and laugh hysterically. Thank you for such a well needed laugh.
about a goldfish.
this song makes me want to ride a horse... yeah that made no sense... excellent music. i love it.
@jedibiatch I’m commenting 20 years later. That’s petty insane.
could be a fish, but to me the fish is someone that i care about that has tried to leave this world, or one most familiar to myself and him. no matter what i did to save the "fish" his self destructive habits just sunk him deeper and deeper. yea, i read deep into things, so sue me!
A touching song about a man and his... goldfish. And yet it still kicks ass.
I think this has been interpreted a bit literally and some assholes refuse to interpret it at all in which case why even bother posting on this song if you dont have anything near an original thought. It seems the death or sickness within his goldfish indeed causes him a lot of pain. But more important and i think what is intended by the lyrics is his reaction to it. He wants to save his fish, change the world so that this fragile being can live. This is not about fish, this is a Holden Caufield complex. Hes asking how does he end the suffering in the ones he loves? He leaves it to us to think about that but if you keeping arguing rather its about a fucking fish or not then I dont think penelope is going to make it.
@yamale this may very well be the only interpretation that makes sense. Yes, there is a shallow surface idea that the song is about a fish, obviously, but on a much deeper level it’s about loss and the lack of understanding in the world that comes with it. I lost my sister this year, and all I hear when I listen to this song is the deep yearning to take the pain that I watched her endure for so long and give her back everything that was taken from her. Such an incredible song, Pinback is always leaving me with a new look on life. <br />
fresh song that almost made me fall in love..
"Para mi corazon" means for my heart, indeed.
764-mouser really needs to stfu. We'll decide for ourselves if the lyrics mean something or not, thank you.
Such a good driving in the rain song