Travis – Driftwood

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  General Comment:I realise this seems to have more than one interpretation to more than one person.. But for me it also hints on letting go of someone. Example: Like someone who thinks the world of someone, but they got dumped and months later is still hung up on them. So the person that left could be seen as the driftwood, and the person that got dumped is finally able to move on. You know how the person that leaves a relationship for whatever reason still lingers in the other person's life and still wants them to be jealous of their life etc? Maybe the person left behind is finally moving on and gave up caring so the one that left "really didn't think it could happen".. That they are merely driftwood in their eyes now.
  
  Hadn't listened to this song since my ex left a few months back, and that's how I feel about her now - guess that's why I had this new look on the song.
  
  Just another way to look at it :)

  Flag Yucalion April 19, 2012   Link

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  Song Meaning:my interpretation:
  
  Everything is open ... - you are moving on and I am okay with it
  CHORUS
  You're driftwood floating underwater - you are moving along at a steady pace
  Breaking into pieces, pieces, pieces - you have left a piece of yourself with me
  Just driftwood hollow and of no use
  Waterfalls will find you, bind you, grind you - the world will change you
  
  Nobody is an island - you are saying goodbye but you will find someone else to share life with
  
  And you really didn't think it would happen
  But it really is the end of the line - its the end
  So I'm sorry that you turned to driftwood - im sorry how this ended
  But you've been drifting for a long long time - you were drifting away for a while and now its reached a point where we cant turn back
  
  Everywhere there's trouble
  ...
  The path you wish to go - your path is different from mine and I am not resentful that you are leaving
  Drifting now forever
  And forever more
  Until you reach your shore - i wish you all the best in life
  

  Flag muushyon June 04, 2011   Link

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  Song Meaning:
  My ex wanted a break, (possibly having an affair) and six months later wanted me back.
  I put this song on repeat while she argued with me.
  I turned up the volume at the point of these lyrics,
  'Home is where the heart is
  But your heart had to roam'
  
  After six months, my heart had healed, It was nice to say that I was sorry that she had turned to driftwood, especially after devoting...wasting ten years of my life to her.
  I believe that she expected me to welcome her back with open arms,
  I felt a little bad for turning her down, but my trust for her had gone.
  
  'And you really didn't think it would happen
  But it really is the end of the line
  So I'm sorry that you turned to driftwood
  But you've been drifting for a long long time'
  
  

  Flag jaydbon March 24, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:I recall and interview about 1o years ago regarding this song. Fran from Travis got the term and title of the song "Driftwood" from an episode of US Comedy Cheers. Cliff turned to Norm whilst sat at the bar and said something along the lines of " Norm, you and I are just pieces of Driftwood".

  Flag Darzeton January 15, 2010   Link

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  My Interpretation:Although this song has a sweet tune , it has quite unpleasant lyrics - it is about being hurt and deserted by someone. I think it is about a failed relationship where the singer appears to be expressing "sour grapes" at the other party's perceived rejection of him and he is in parts nastily attacking the person who is not with him. The singer does not like the fact that the subject of the song has chosen not to be with him - "frozen you have chosen the path you wish to go"..."you heart had to roam"....The singer states that the subject has thereby condemned themselves. He seems to be very judgemental and has an inflated sense of self importance - as a result of this choice, the singer sweepingly predicts a dire and grim future for the subject of the song who will be "Breaking into pieces, pieces, pieces...Waterfalls will find you, bind you, grind you"and the person will drift until they die (reach their shore).."drifting now forever, and forever more, until you reach you shore..".What a sweeping condemnation of this person's choices and of the person themselves. What a scathing and unpleasant line to describe a person as "hollow and of no use" ! It is very hard to comprehend if the singer ever really truly cared about the subject of the song. However, I suppose when one is hurt, then the natural reaction is to attack as this perversely makes one feel better to some small degree and that would explain it.Not my favourite Travis song - prefer the more upbeat "Sing" myself as life is too short to be nasty and mope!

  Flag enamorataon September 25, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:one can also interpret this song as a person who hides their true emotions ("you're a driftwood floating underwater, breaking into pieces"). that person is constantly affected by their environment ("waterfalls will find you, bind you, grind you") and you could say that it's opinions and expectations (of themselves and others) that get them down. that person isn't able to embrace who they are (because they're afraid or lack the confidence to do so), so they try to fit in however others will accept them... the song is ultimately criticizing taking that route in life, because "everywhere there's trouble, nowhere's safe to go". it's up to you to take risks and embody who you want to become. don't let others, not even your own doubts, get in the way.

  Flag seamoraineon January 14, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:story of my life right now pretty much ^_~ having moved to new and unfamiliar places throughout my life (and leaving little pieces of memories along the way), and now in a completely different country as a freshman in university, i feel my future is this continuous and often aimless journey. even though you would think that being settled in post-secondary education would make you sure or any more motivated towards your future - i think that ninety percent of the time, it's really not the case. i think this song is powerful in conveying that feeling of not knowing you who are, who you really love, and where you belong (whether it be country, social group, etc.). easily one of my favourites by travis (wasn't the video amazing as well?? come to think of it, travis have quite the skill with making incredible videos)

  Flag seamoraineon January 14, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:I don't know how I found this song but it's okay. I actually like the simplicity of it and I like that part that goes "So I'm sorry that you turned to driftwood / But you've been drifting for a long long time". Emotional line. What I do not like in this song is the part that goes "Waterfalls will find you, bind you, grind you"...too moanyish for my taste.

  Flag zeventighton February 19, 2007   Link

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  General Comment:I've watched the entire concert of their DVD "More than us", and before playing Driftwood Francis explain it's about those mates you surely have. They have so much potencial, he says, but they're wasting it playing play station while smoking, and talking shit.

  Flag ramirinnnon February 10, 2007   Link

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  General Comment:Good song.

  Flag Zeusofmusicon July 16, 2006   Link

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