“When we met, Lucy and Phoebe and I were in similar places in our lives and our musical endeavours, but also had similar attitudes toward music that engendered an immediate affinity”, says Baker. “Lucy and Phoebe are incredibly gifted performers, and I am a fan of their art outside of being their friends, but they are also both very wise, discerning and kind people whom I look up to in character as much as in talent."
On January 18, 2023, the trio announced their debut album the record and released three singles: "$20", "Emily I'm Sorry", and "True Blue", followed by the single "Not Strong Enough" on March 1. the record was released on March 31. the record was followed by their third EP, the rest, released on October 13, 2023.
Anti-Curse
Boygenius Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm out of my depth at a public beach
I never listened, I had to see for myself
It's coming in waves
Shoots through my mind like a pinball straight
Friendly fire, point blank
Salt in my lungs
Making peace with my inevitable death
I guess I did alright, considering
Tried to be a halfway decent friend
Wound up a bad comedian
An honest fool with more bad habits than you can count
There we were
Was anyone ever so young?
Breaking curfew with illegal fireworks
Unpacking God in the suburbs
I'm swimming back
See, you don't have to make it bad
Just 'cause you know how
Writing the words
To the worst love song you've ever heard
Sounding out the foreign characters
An incantation like an anti-curse
Or even a blessing
The lyrics of Boygenius's song "Anti-Curse" explore themes of self-reflection, mortality, friendships, and the complexities of growing up. The opening lines, "Getting deep, I'm out of my depth at a public beach," signify the singer venturing into unfamiliar territory, both literally and metaphorically. They are seeking to gain personal understanding and experience by going beyond their comfort zone.
The line "Shoots through my mind like a pinball straight, friendly fire, point blank" conveys the overwhelming nature of their thoughts, suggesting a sense of confusion and inner turmoil. The use of "friendly fire" suggests self-inflicted harm or mental struggles that are difficult to manage.
The lyrics also touch upon mortality with the lines "Salt in my lungs, holding my breath, making peace with my inevitable death." Here, the singer reflects on the fragility of life and their acceptance of the inevitable. This introspection may have been triggered by their experiences and explorations.
The verse about being a "halfway decent friend" but ending up as a "bad comedian" and an "honest fool with more bad habits" speaks to the complexity of their character. It portrays the singer's struggle to balance their intentions with their actions, suggesting that they may have made mistakes along the way.
The mention of breaking curfew with illegal fireworks and unpacking God in the suburbs adds a nostalgic and rebellious tone. It hints at the singer's youth and the sense of adventure and exploration that was once a part of their life. This juxtaposition of innocence and rebellion reflects their growth and transformation.
Overall, "Anti-Curse" delves into the internal battles faced when seeking self-understanding and navigating relationships, while also addressing themes of mortality and the passage of time.
Line by Line Meaning
Getting deep
Delving into profound thoughts and emotions
I'm out of my depth at a public beach
Feeling overwhelmed and uncertain in a seemingly ordinary situation
I never listened, I had to see for myself
Ignoring advice and needing personal experience to truly understand
It's coming in waves
Emotions and thoughts are hitting intensely and repeatedly
Shoots through my mind like a pinball straight
Thoughts racing through the mind with great force and velocity
Friendly fire, point blank
Causing harm to oneself unintentionally and directly
Salt in my lungs
Feeling the pain and discomfort of a challenging situation
Holding my breath
Anticipating and preparing for something difficult or unpleasant
Making peace with my inevitable death
Accepting mortality and finding inner calm amidst the uncertainties of life
I guess I did alright, considering
Evaluating one's actions and finding some level of satisfaction despite the circumstances
Tried to be a halfway decent friend
Making an effort to be a reasonably good companion
Wound up a bad comedian
Unfortunately becoming someone who fails at making others laugh
An honest fool with more bad habits than you can count
Being a sincere but foolish person burdened with numerous undesirable behaviors
There we were
At that moment, we existed
Was anyone ever so young?
Expressing nostalgia and wonder at the innocence of youth
Breaking curfew with illegal fireworks
Defying rules and engaging in thrilling but prohibited activities
Unpacking God in the suburbs
Exploring the concept of spirituality and higher powers in ordinary, mundane settings
I'm swimming back
Returning to a previous state, perhaps seeking familiarity or safety
See, you don't have to make it bad
Understanding that one has the choice to avoid making a situation worse
Just 'cause you know how
Simply because you possess the knowledge or capability
Writing the words
Putting thoughts and emotions into written form
To the worst love song you've ever heard
Creating a deeply flawed and unimpressive romantic composition
Sounding out the foreign characters
Pronouncing unfamiliar symbols or letters aloud, symbolizing a struggle to comprehend
An incantation like an anti-curse
A chant or spell that serves as a counteraction against negativity
Or even a blessing
Possibly even a form of divine favor or protection
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Julien Baker, Lucy Dacus, Phoebe Bridgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ingridgantt
[Verse 1: Baker]
Gettin' deep
I'm out of my depth at a public beach
I never listened, I had to see for myself
It's comin' in waves
Shoots through my mind like a pinball strayed
Friendly fire, point-blank
[Pre-Chorus: Baker]
Salt in my lungs
Holdin' my breath
Makin' peace with my inevitable
[Chorus: All, Baker]
I guess I did alright considering
Tried to be a halfway decent friend
Wound up a bad comedian
An honest fool with more bad habits
Than you can count
[Verse 2: All, Baker]
There we were
Was anyone ever so young?
Breakin' curfew with illegal fireworks
Unpackin' God in the suburbs
[Bridge: Baker, All]
I'm swimmin' back
See, you don't havе to make it bad
Just 'cause you know how
[Outro: Baker]
Writin' the words
To thе worst love song you've ever heard
Soundin' out the foreign characters
An incantation like an anti-curse
Or even a blessing
@dallasbear4706
And now I am in the "Which boygenius member is my favorite" swamp of fuckery. I love them all, but Julien is my favorite. Until Phoebe is, again. And then Lucy. Again. After that I will go through several cycles of loving the record and hating the record. I am in a relationship with this record. (No, not a parasocial relationship with the band collectively or individually; the music not the people who made it.)
Like, falling deeper in love with this record. Getting angry at the 3 members because they made a different musical choice than I would have, but at the same time loving them for making a different musical choice than I would have ever imagined, and it's brilliant.
Since it has come out this album has gotten under my skin and into my dreams.
Once again, not the 3 artists who created the music, but the music itself. Basically, in my book this is up there with Radiohead, Kate Bush, Blonde Redhead, Curve, Nothing, New Order.
My heart, they have stolen it.
@omrideutsch4624
As soon as I've heard that guitar I knew it was juliens song
@comradehermit9320
Just devastating. Whenever Julien starts a song, she lights it like a fuse and it when it blows, the whole world lights up for just a second. And it is just devastating.
@anfisachern8570
i’ve yet to hear “i’m SWIMMING BACK” and not cry
@HolaWorld
My favorite song on the album. It instantly grabbed me. The yearning melody, the sound, the simple yet perfect guitar, the vocals, the lyrics... I find this song deeply moving.
@JimInAnthem
d I t t o . . . .
@Blackroses189
This and satanist
@IIshABanana
best song on the record, imo. the imagery is so powerful and moving.
@kelsey6749
most underrated song on the record <3
@analysiswitch6095
When that guitar hit at about 2 minutes 10 seconds in, my brain exploded
@HazelHabeck
for real 💫