Cover art for In Undertow by Alvvays

In Undertow

Jun. 6, 20171 viewer92K views

In Undertow Lyrics

[Verse 1]
You find a wave and try to hold on for as long as you can
You made a mistake you'd like to erase and I understand
"What's left for you and me?" I ask that question rhetorically
Can't buy into astrology, and won't rely on the moon for anything

[Chorus]
No turning, there's no turning
There's no turning back after what's been said
No turning, there's no turning
There's no turning back

[Verse 2]
Meditate, play solitaire, take up self defense
When you get old and faded out, will you want your friends?
What's left for you and me? You respond to my question metaphorically
Don't read into psychology and won't rely on your mood for anything

[Chorus]
No turning, there's no turning
There's no turning back after what was said
No turning, there's no turning
There's no turning back after what's been said

[Verse 3]
You find a wave and try to hold on for as long as you can
You made a mistake you'd like to erase and I understand
What's next for you and me? I'll take suggestions
We toss and turn in undertow, time to let go
[Outro]
There's no turning, there's no turning
There's no turning back after what's transpired
No turning, there's no turning
There's no turning back, it's so uninspired
No turning, there's no turning
There's no turning back, no turning back

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About

This song bio is unreviewed
Genius Annotation

The song detains a conversation between two people about their failed relationship, and if there is any hope of saving it. However, it is clear that one of them (presumably Molly) is ready to move on and leave the relationship behind them.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did Alvvays say about "In Undertow"?
Genius Answer

I was wobbling along a shore picking up stained glass, which is just something I really love. I have many glass bottles of it in my apartment of all different colors and I kind of just came up with the melody. I was trying to synthesize something between Dolly Mixture and Teenage Fanclub and it ended up sounding like Alvvays.

– Molly Rankin, Radio Milwaukee

Is there a live performance video?
Genius Answer

"In Undertow" performed live on KEXP
Credits
Additional Mixing
Background Vocals
Recording Engineer
Mixing Engineer
Mastering Engineer
Percussion
Recorded At
Kingsize Soundlabs - Los Angeles, CA; Tarbox Road Studios - Cassadega, NY; Union Sound Company - Toronto, ON
Release Date
June 6, 2017
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