No Doubt – Bathwater

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  Song Meaning:This song is about being jealous of your boyfriend/girlfriends past relationships (‘My pregnant mind is fat full with envy again.’) and the insecurities that come with thinking of it (‘I don’t fit in so why do you want me?’). From experience of being jealous/insecure about a partners ex’s, I think it perfectly describes the problems it can cause in ones’ mind as you know it won’t help and will only cause bother thinking/talking about it however a part of you can never let it go (‘No I can't help myself’) and so you keep bringing it up (‘But I still love to wash in your old bathwater’) in hope of some resolution, when in fact it only puts a strain on the relationship as your partner cannot change the past and creates insecurities and doubts in yourself that you aren’t good enough or as good as those in the past. Great song!

  Flag WhistlingWistfullyon January 05, 2012   Link

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  My Interpretation:My interpretation is that of what I go through with every new relationship. With the Google-era well underway, I find myself wanting to know everything about the current man I'm dating--good or bad. Often, that will include photos and other memorables with other women, exes, etc., and I keep discovering and revealing these pasts to the point that I grow insecure "I don't fit in, so why does he want me?" I don't look, act, or am into certain things, like his prototype preference of girl. It seems that, with Gavin, Gwen may have faced the same insecurities, as Gavin's list of women--and recently revealed, man--tend to be more of the modelesque, very European, whereas Gwen is a radical chick from the States.
  
  "You and your museum of lovers--INDICATING SHE'S AWARE OF HIS PAST
  The precious collection you've housed in your covers--"
  My simpleness threatened by my own admission--HER WILLFULLY DIGGING INTO HIS PAST, SHE BECOMES INSECURE BY WHAT SHE REVEALS
  
  And the bags are much too heavy
  In my insecure condition
  My pregnant mind is fat full with envy again--THOUGHTS GET THE BEST OF HER
  
  But I still love to wash in your old bathwater--SHE ADORES HIM AND IS ALMOST ADDICTED TO RELISHING IN HIS PAST, EVEN IF IT HURTS HER.
  Love to think that you couldn't love another
  I can't help it...you're my kind of man"--SHE CAN'T HELP THE FACT THAT HE'S BEEN WITH SO MANY OTHERS, SHE IS CRAZY ABOUT HIM

  Flag imuffckinsweeton January 07, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:I'll mention this since no one commented on her saying "I still love to wash in your old bathwater" as I read that long ago, clean water to bathe in wasn't as easily accessed as it is now. So, one bath tub would be filled and the man of the house would bathe first, then his wife then children etc the last being the baby which incidentally brought up the phrase "don't throw the baby out with the bath water" since by then they water was so murky this was actually possible! So I think this clear line of power is a testament to how incapable she is of finding a fault with this guy even though she knows things are wrong. So screw all the signs that I should leave, I want to fill that "obedient wife" role more than anything because you're just irresistible.

  Flag mordsithon April 25, 2010   Link

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  My Interpretation:his "bathwater" is all the past women and all the skeletons in his closet/regrets. but she says that she likes that hes been through so much cuz it makes her feel special to know that he's finally content. by saying "share a toothbrush," shes saying that she's not so clean either.

  Flag daniellehadleyon February 27, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:In my opinion this song is about the good girl falling for the bad guy.
  He's the guy who has had a ton of girls and can pretty much get anyone he wants. He doesn't even have to try, they come to him. He's wild, untameable, and has been with many other girls. ("you and your museum of lovers...")
  She is insecure and doubtful in him because he is that guy who has and can have any woman. She isn't the same sort of girl that he usually is with or has a relationship with or hangs with in general, she's the good, clean, simple minded girl. Hence the "i dont fit in..." She knows that by being with him that she could very much get hurt in the end but she'd still rather try to change him or "tame" him, believe that he can only love HER, and just "swim in his old bathwater."
  My opinion, cos this is sort of what i'm going through, and the song always seems to fit.

  Flag EmilyFlippyon October 30, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:Okay, Wow. I completely disagree with AlbinoPink3. I happen to completely love this song, its one of my favorites. To me its just about how when your in this relationship with someone who isnt entirely as in love with you as you are them. They gaze their eyes on others, and their focus isnt always on you. But you just cant seem to walk away. The whole "bathwater" refers to just that. When you've got a crush, you WANT their germs, you want to share things with them that you wouldnt with everyday people. "I love to wash in your old bathwater" is the example of this. Shes still very much in love/lust with someone that isnt as passionate.

  Flag RebeccaRaeon October 22, 2009   Link

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  Song Meaning:this song is about a guy you know it's bad for you but you end up always with him anyway... he knows how to play you.. he's your kind of man

  Flag chaquieon July 15, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:This song definitely is the anthem of me and my boyfriend. Even though I was always sort of a loner, and he was a total ladies man, he still liked me. We've been dating for a while now. Any place I go with him, he gets hit on by every girl, and I get jealous and upset, but unlike in the song, he wouldn't choose the other girls. But I always think he will, and I try to make myself fall out of love... but I can't, he's "my kind of man". And he can fix anything with just a kiss. Sighhh.

  Flag funkyonionon September 11, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:Awesome song. The meaning of it is pretty clear. She isn't over the guy the likes.

  Flag peaceasyon August 15, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:And the "diving into my own destruction" part?
  yes, with being obsessed she knows that she's pushing him away. At least that's my thoughts on the song. I could quote this song and call it the story of my life :P

  Flag Jesshaon March 31, 2008   Link

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