Horses to Water Lyrics
[Verse]
Do or die, do or die
I forgive, but I still remember
Hold it down, human touch
F*ck a check, f*ck it up on the map
If you hold me close, you can see the light
I can see the city, they done lit a fire
Lace me up, Hermès me up
If they mess me up, I'll go Celsius
I'm in the cut, True Religions
What's it like being that high?
What's it like being that crazy?
Evil coast, waste it up
Light it up, she can see the future
And it's going up, they never show me love
Give me loyalty, I say, "Godspeed"
I'm in the shadе, I'm still burning up
[Chorus]
Carried on my back and it's all in the legs
And it's all in thе legs
Keep it on my shoulder and I feel it every day
Carried on my back and it's all in the legs
And it's all in the legs
They say the water's different, but it all tastes the same
[Outro]
They say the water's different, but it all tastes the same
They say the water's different, but it all tastes the same
They say the water's different, but it all tastes the same
They say the water's different, but it all tastes the same (The same)
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Horses to Water Song Meaning [Joji]
“Horses to Water” is a track from Joji’s fourth studio album "Piss In The Wind", released on February 6, 2026, through Palace Creek and distributed by Virgin Music Group. This album marks a new chapter for Joji, arriving after a multi-year hiatus and his departure from his former label. Piss In The Wind features 21 tracks that explore mood, introspection, and emotional turbulence across R&B and pop-inflected soundscapes, with “Horses to Water” standing out as one of the deeper, more metaphor-laden offerings.
Song Meaning
From the outset, “Horses to Water” places the listener in the midst of an internal struggle — a tension between forgiveness and the burden of memory. The song opens with an almost mantra-like sense of survival and self-preservation, where the narrator reckons with past hurts and the pressure to stay grounded. This section reflects a mindset of resilience, hinting that healing isn’t linear, and that one must carry their history even while moving forward.
Midway, the track pivots into a metaphorical exploration of effort versus outcome. The title imagery evokes the old English proverb about leading a horse to water and not being able to make it drink — a saying about the limits of influence and the agency of others. In Joji’s hands, this idea becomes a lens on personal effort: no matter how much effort one invests in relationships, dreams, or self-improvement, the result may not match the intention.
Sonically and lyrically, the chorus operates as a refrain of weight and perseverance. There’s a visceral sense of carrying life’s demands on the back, suggesting that endurance — more than any single triumph — defines the journey. By repeating this motif, the song reinforces how daily struggle and the repetition of hope shape self-identity.
As the track nears its close, a subtle resignation emerges. The repeated notion that the water’s different, but it all tastes the same becomes an expression of disillusionment tempered with realism: circumstances may change, but fundamental experiences of loss, longing, and effort feel eerily consistent. This perspective is less defeatist than reflective, acknowledging that change does not always equate to fulfillment, even when it seems within reach.
Emotional Core and Themes
At its heart, “Horses to Water” is about agency and acceptance. The emotional core lies in reconciling hope with the realization that not all efforts yield the desired outcomes — whether in love, career, or personal change. The song’s mood is contemplative, with textures that underscore Joji’s signature blend of vulnerability and stoic introspection, turning a simple saying into a meditation on autonomy, persistence, and the limits of control.
Connection with Listeners
For listeners, the song resonates because it captures a universal tension: doing everything within one’s power without guaranteeing reward or reciprocation. Its message aligns with feelings of weary optimism and hard-earned wisdom that many encounter in relationships and life transitions. The use of metaphor — especially through the evocative title — invites personal interpretation, allowing fans to place their own narratives into the emotional frame set by the music.
Conclusion
“Horses to Water” stands as a quietly powerful moment in "Piss In The Wind", marrying introspective songwriting with a motif that grapples with human effort and surrender. Joji uses stark imagery and cyclical phrasing to remind us that while life’s challenges are often repetitive and unpredictable, there is strength in enduring them. This track exemplifies the emotional depth and reflective nuance that have become hallmarks of Joji’s artistic evolution.
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Music Video
Song Details
Song Name: Horses to Water
Artist: Joji
Album: Piss In The Wind
Lyricist: Joji & Isaac Sleator
Producers: Isaac Sleator
Genre: R&B, Pop
Language: English
Label: Palace Creek
Released: February 6, 2026
[Disclaimer: Lyrics are for educational and entertainment purposes only. All rights belong to the original owners.]
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