Swallowed Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Warm sun, feed me up
And I'm leery, loaded up
Loathing for a change
And I slip some, boil away
[Chorus]
Swallowed, followed
Heavy about everything but my love
Swallowed, sorrowed
I'm with everyone and yet not
I'm with everyone and yet not
I'm with everyone and yet
[Verse 2]
Just wanted to be myself
Hey, you said you would love to try some
Hey, you said you would love to die some
In the middle of a world on a fish hook
You're the wave, you're the wave, you're the wave
[Chorus]
Swallowed, borrowed
Heavy about everything but my love
Swallowed, hollowed
Sharp about everyone but yourself
Swallowed, I'll know
I'm with everyone and yet not
I'm with everyone and you're not
I'm with everyone and you're not
I'm with everyone and yet
[Verse 3]
Piss on self-esteem
And I'm forward, busted knee
Sick head, blackened lungs
And I'm a simple selfish son
[Chorus]
Swallowed, followed
Heavy about everything but my love
Swallowed, oh no
I'm with everyone and yet not
I'm with everyone and yet not
I'm with everyone and yet not
[Outro]
Got to get away from here
Got to get away from here
Got to get away from here
Got to get away from here
I miss the one that I love a lot
I miss the one that I love a lot
I miss the one that I love a lot
_______________ End _______________
Swallowed Song Meaning (Bush)
Background and Context
Released on October 15, 1996, as the lead single from Bush’s second studio album "Razorblade Suitcase", "Swallowed" marked a turning point for the band. Gavin Rossdale has said the song was written in the aftermath of their long struggle to break through and then encountering the seismic shift of success—massive success after failing for years. The album was crafted under Steve Albini’s raw production, and Rossdale wrote much of it while his personal life and the band’s status were in flux, creating a period full of pressure, uncertainty, and self-questioning.
Meaning and Lyrical Themes
From the opening lines in the first verse—“Warm sun, feed me up / And I’m leery, loaded up”—the song evokes a disorienting mix of being overfed on exposure yet uneasy and unmoored. The chorus plea “Swallowed, followed / Heavy about everything but my love” suggests a person engulfed by external forces such as fame, expectation, and change, still holding a core of love or authenticity that feels neglected. The repeated line “I’m with everyone and yet not” underlines alienation: being physically present in a world of people but emotionally disconnected.
The second verse deepens this feeling. “Just wanted to be myself / Hey, you said you would love to try some… to die some…” paints a picture of betrayal, risk-taking, and the seductive pull of self-destruction. The “fish hook” metaphor signals the feeling of being caught in something—success, addiction, or image—that is not entirely voluntary.
In the third verse, the self-awareness sharpens. “Piss on self-esteem / And I’m forward, busted knee / Sick head, blackened lungs / And I’m a simple selfish son.” Here Rossdale acknowledges vulnerability, physical or emotional damage, and self-critique. He once described that moment as a snapshot of losing oneself and being swallowed by everything happening around him.
The outro—“Got to get away from here… I miss the one that I love a lot”—returns to longing and regret. Amid all the chaos and noise, the core relationships and genuine feelings are left behind. The “swallowed” metaphor stands for being consumed: by ambition, fame, or internal contradictions of identity.
How It Connects to the Artist and Audience
For Rossdale and Bush, Swallowed bridged their grunge-rooted early identity and a more mature, introspective phase. It captures the moment of triumph coupled with disorientation—you make it, but you don’t feel safe. It speaks to anyone who has experienced the unsettling combination of success and emptiness, of being seen by everyone but truly known by no one.
For listeners, the song resonates as an anthem of emotional isolation—being surrounded yet feeling apart, achieving goals yet losing clarity. It isn’t a celebration of fame; it’s a reflection on what’s lost along the way. The honesty in its confusion makes it timeless and deeply human.
Conclusion
"Swallowed" stands out not only for its soaring melody and raw production but also for its emotional truth. It offers no easy resolution—only an acknowledgment of the inner struggle between identity, love, and the cost of success. Rossdale doesn’t escape his demons; he confronts them. And through that confrontation, he connects with listeners who have ever felt overwhelmed by their own circumstances.
This song remains a haunting reminder that sometimes the greatest challenge is not reaching the top but staying true to yourself once you’re there.
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FAQ Section
Who sung the song "Swallowed" by Bush?
The song "Swallowed" was sung by Bush.
Who wrote the song "Swallowed" by Bush?
Gavin Rossdale.
Who produced the song "Swallowed" by Bush?
Steve Albini.
Music Video
Song Details
Artist: Bush
Album: Razorblade Suitcase
Genre: Rock
Language: English
Released: October 15, 1996
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