Katie was a little girl
Who said I'll find a way
Katie was a little girl
Who said it'll be okay

Til one day she found
A little bit of something
She used to drown

She said I'm alive and I am free
Can't you see I have control over me

When will you draw the line
Turn a blind eye to all the faces that you know

She said go

Katie was a little girl
Who never found a way
Katie was a little girl
Who never was okay

Cause one she found
A little bit of something
She used to drown

She said I'm alive and I am free
Can't you see I have control over me

When will you draw the line
Turn a blind eye to all the faces that you know

She said go

She said I'm alive and I am free
Can't you see I have control over me

But will you draw the line
Yeah
Turn a blind eye to all the faces that you know

And she said go, and she said go, and she said go



Lyrics submitted by AgathaKavka

Track duration: 03:35

"Katie" as written by Missy Higgins

Lyrics © CHRYSALIS MUSIC GROUP

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Katie song meanings
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39 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:I was always certain when I listened to this song, that Katie was a self-harmer (cutter). Speaking as a ex self-harmer I know that the most common reason for self harm is control. There’s the aspect of being alive, because of seeing the blood. Also, the chorus ‘will you draw the line’ I always saw that as being in the sense of making a cut.
    I do also think there’s a possibility that Katie is the girl from ‘the river’ witch could be the part about ‘drowning’ though, I also saw it originally that Katie kills herself.
    Either way, it’s a fantastic song, and so well written.
    Flag OneOfThreeon February 28, 2013   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:Katie was okay, she was happy, she was the one who told others it will be okay.
    Until one day she found a little bit of something she used to drown. This is something she used to drown her self form everything.... drugs.
    After that she wasn't okay. You see nobody does drugs thinking they'll become addicted. Most addicts believe they can stop whenever they want, that they are just living life to it's fullest (especially those who use weed). They are "alive" and "free". But you see you aren't. Because once you let those substances in your body, they do being to control you.
    Flag AngieBon January 21, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I think this is about coming out.

    The line:

    Turn a blind eye to all the faces that you know?

    reminds me of my parents asking me how i could be so selfish, ruining their public image.

    Then when she couldn't find a way, it makes me think of feeling like her life was ending because she discovers she's gay.

    and when she talks about finding something shes drowned, well, anyone who's ever buried something 'shameful' about themselves will understand that
    Flag peaceandlieson October 19, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Wait a second, now I get it! Actually, yeah, I can see how the "drown" bit would be metaphorical. Anorexia was probably "Katie"'s problem.
    Flag SideshowJazz1on October 17, 2010   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:No, guys. Listen "She found a little bit of something she used to drown". Katie drowned herself. And I wouldn't be surprised if she was the girl who was "merely ten years old" in "The River" too. I don't think Katie was anorexic or alcoholic. Besides, "Katie was a little girl", which makes her less likely to drink!
    Flag SideshowJazz1on October 17, 2010   Link
  • -1
    My Opinion:while i love the interesting eating disorder idea i feel that it's looking to much into the interpretation. it may be more simplistic, and obviuos. a teenage girl who wants control of her life and gains it through suicide.
    Flag KatieLady10on August 02, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The first time I heard this song I loved it, it's such a beautiful song, I personally don't think it's about anorexia. I think it's about drug abuse or it could be alcohol, this song makes me think of someone who was abused and turned to alcohol and drugs and everyone around her tried to help her and all she ever did was push them away.

    Till one day she found a little bit of something she used to drown.
    the line: 'She said "I'm alive and I am free, but you see I have control over me."'
    she found this substance that help her get away the pain and it makes her feel alive and it make her feel as if she has control of something because she is getting abused.

    'will you draw the line'
    when will she say enough is enough, it shows that the singer has a strong relationship with this person weather it be a friend or even a sister and cares very deeply for this person and she trying to help and she doesn't understand how she could get to the point of throwing her life away by abusing alcohol and drugs. when will she really take a hold of her life and listen to the ones around her.
    Flag laurenanne12345on July 14, 2010   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:I love this song :) Can totally relate.
    Flag artyartaon March 13, 2010   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:I can see how this song can be taken as being about an anorexic, as they are really concerned with control, not just in their weight. But I personally think it's a girl, maybe young, about 16, or someone that's not matured. The girl had a bad upbringing, or things are bad now, "I'll find a way", "It'll be okay". She turns to alcohol/drugs, and, as many addicts think, believes she is in control of her usage. Her friends/family try to help, but she refuses it.
    Flag StuffandNonsenseon December 26, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:when i heard this. i was touched. i love it. amazing song. to me, i think it may be a girl who is dealing with some form of self destructive behavior. especially because she says

    "Katie was a little girl who said "I'll find a way".
    Katie was a little girl who said "it'll be ok".
    Till one day she found a little bit of something she used to drown.
    She said "I'm alive and I am free, but you see I have control over me."

    so maybe she's referring to the fact that possibly someone confronted "katie" about her behavior. she's telling them that she could stop whenever she could and that she has control over it and not the other way around.

    but then you get the lyrics

    "Katie was a little girl who never found the way.
    Katie was a little girl who never was ok.
    Cause one day she found a little bit of something she used to drown.
    She said "I'm alive and I am free, but you see I have control over me."

    and i think that possibly the behavior whatever it may be (cutting, anorexia, bulemia, etc.) actually took over her and ended up taking her life.

    or it could be about having some mental illness like bipolar disorder or depression. and when someone told her about getting help, she said she was fine and that she could control it. but in the end she ended letting the "illness" get the best of her and she couldn't take it anymore and she committed suicide.


    and the lyrics

    "But will you draw the line?
    Turn a blind eye to all the faces that you know?
    And she said, "go".

    maybe she's saying that "Katie" isolated herslef from her loved ones and that ended up being the demise of er. she pushed them away even when they were trying to help.

    that's what i thought anyways
    Flag xoazraelxoon December 22, 2009   Link

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