Sink or Swim

from Deep in the Fade by Blue J

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about

The track "Sink or Swim" is a song about caring so deeply about someone who’s struggling that you abandon yourself. I’ve had some of the closest people in my life suffering from addictions and eating disorders which can take their toll on surrounding people. The chorus leads to a grief ladened admittance of “I thought that I had control / that I could help you work it out / but I’m sadly mistaken”. It’s a reflection on how my interference with someone else's struggle, although coming from an earnest place, can cause more harm than good.

lyrics

You came to me in the night
With surrender in your eyes
On the front porch in the cold
Standing barefoot in a robe
Telling me no one can know
How the Oxy's taken hold
Kept a secret hard to bare
You knew I’d keep it because I care

And I tried to fix you up but it’s never enough
To stick
Then I tried to lighten up using all of my useless tricks

I thought that I had control
That I could help you work it out
But I’m sadly mistaken, mistaken
And everything that I put in
Didn’t make you want to live again
And I’m tired of breakin’, breakin’
Have to let you sink or swim
Have to let you sink or swim

All the years kept rolling by
Had to let you die and die
Have you ever grieved someone
Who’s still alive and having fun?
Now every ounce of weight
That you put on I hope it takes
You are worthy of your love
You are worthy of your space

And I tried to fix you up but it’s never enough
To stick
Then I tried to lighten up using all of my useless tricks

I thought that I had control
That I could help you work it out
But I’m sadly mistaken, mistaken
And everything that I put in
Didn’t make you want to live again
And I’m tired of breakin’, breakin’
Have to let you sink or swim
Have to let you sink or swim
Have to let you sink or swim

credits

from Deep in the Fade, track released March 10, 2023

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about

Blue J Vancouver, British Columbia

Blue J may or may not be a reference to a baseball team, a melancholic person who's name begins with the letter J, the loquacious bird, a comic book character from The Justice League or simply a blue coloured J.

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