There are many popular songs about drowning, but they’re not all about drowning in water. Some are about drowning in love or hate, and even drowning in the good or bad times. This article will examine the best songs about drowning ever.
“Waves” by Mr. Probz
Song year: 2013
The lyrics to Mr. Probz’s 2013 unexpected hit are literally about drifting away in the waves, drowning while fighting against the current.
But if you listen closely, you’ll catch that it’s more about feeling like it’s hard to be loved. Even though he’s trying to reach for his love, he feels pushed away with waves of emotion.
“Cold Water” by Major Lazer featuring MØ & Justin Bieber
Song year: 2016
When you’re stuck in cold water, sometimes all you need is one lifeline to save you from drowning, which is the mantra of this popular song.
It’s a good reminder to stand behind those you care about, allowing them to get through anything.
“Drowning” by Mick Jenkins featuring BADBADNOTGOOD
Song year: 2016
As a tale of a runaway slave, Mick Jenkins’ strong visuals and powerful lyrics invoke plenty of emotions in this song about drowning.
While there is a literal drowning with water, the song also speaks to the pressure of slavery, racism, and oppression.
“Drowning” by Chris Young
Song year: 2019
Whenever we lose someone too soon, it leaves a gaping hole that can’t be filled. This emotional song from Chris Young speaks loudly to those who have left a hole in our lives.
The song also reminisces about the good memories that some people leave behind. The photos we have, the experiences shared, and the memories that last.
“Drowning” by BANKS
Song year: 2014
When a friend is going through a hard time in a relationship, it fills you with frustration on their behalf. And that’s what inspired this song as Banks described her friend’s trouble.
The song brings out the pain we go through as we watch a partner begin to shift away, even if we’re deeply infatuated, drowning for them despite seeing the betrayal grow.
“Drowning” by The Eden Project
Song year: 2014
Swimming in a bottomless pit of liquor, The Eden Project’s drowning is a tale of alcohol-infused drama. It’s easy to say it’ll be the last time, only to find yourself deep in the bottle again.
Is the story of problems caused by intoxication, or are they reaching for it to deal with the tragedy they’re part of?
“Drowning (Avicii Remix)” by Armin Van Buuren feat. Laura V
Song year: 2010
Whether you listen to the relaxing original or the significantly more popular Avicii Remix version with an upbeat tempo, the lyrics remind you of falling in love.
Floating out into the deep end, letting the tide take over, and bringing the crashing waves into your life with the emotions only love can induce.
“Drowning Lessons” by My Chemical Romance
Song year: 2002
Living through memories is great when they bring you back to a pleasant experience. Unfortunately, this song by My Chemical Romance is about repeatedly saying goodbye to a past lover and learning to do it again daily.
For people that have experienced this repetitive trauma, it’s nice to know you’re not alone.
“Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd
Song year: 2019
Like a lighthouse for boats, sometimes we’re lucky enough to form relationships with people who pull us away from drowning in distraction.
In this insanely catchy tune from The Weeknd, you can grab that feeling of getting free from lost feelings and instead feel at home with someone you trust. The Weeknd mentions drowing in the night multiples times in this song.
“Malibu” by Miley Cyrus
Song year: 2017
Love can take many forms; sometimes, distance is necessary to bring people back together. Miley Cyrus looks into her hardships with Lian Hemsworth, the inspiration behind this song and her 2013 hit “Wrecking Ball.”
Here, she mentions the feelings of drowning when only her love can save her.
“1-800-273-8255” by Logic
Song year: 2017
When despair sweeps over your mind, having access to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the song’s title, is an invaluable source that lets you take another breath after feeling like you’re drowning.
This song is a powerful announcement that suicide is never the answer.
“Easy On Me” by Adele
Song year: 2021
After a six-year hiatus, Adele released this song as a triumphant return.
It is about drowning in silence which could have referenced her time away from the charts but is more specifically about a communication breakdown in a relationship.
Like some of Adele’s best, it’s a story that hits your heart when times are tough with those you care about the most.
“Let Me Love You” by Ariana Grande
Song year: 2016
Getting over a past love can take a team, and this song brings in the Ariana Grande and Lil Wayne duo to help out.
It’s a dark song that’s simultaneously sexy and saddening, focused mainly on trying to love someone that doesn’t return it. But it also transitions to a new partner that rescues them from the depths of despair. This song is undoubtedly among the best songs about overcoming obstacles we face in life.
“In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins
Song year: 1981
As one of Phil Collins’ popular creations, this classic has no shortage of powerful words.
The main storyline is of a relationship of betrayal, and rather than his drowning, he spells out that he wouldn’t save this person even if they were drowning right before him.
“Righteous” by Juice WRLD
Song year: 2020
Addiction is nothing to mess around with, and in this song, Juice WRLD confronts the reality of drowning in mind-altering substances to escape anxiety and other feelings.
It was released as the first posthumous single put out by Juice’s estate and offers a blunt message about the danger a drug overdose poses to us all.
“Drowning” by Backstreet Boys
Song year: 2001
The Backstreet Boys were always tugging at the heartstrings, and this song is no different. When love fills your life, you drown in it every part of it.
Love sweeps you away, pulls you under, and makes catching your breath a challenge.
“Say It Ain’t So” by Weezer
Song year: 1994
In a chart-topping song from the 90s, Weezer strongly warns about alcoholism tearing apart a family.
Not only does diving deep into alcohol damage the individual, but it also makes the entire family drown together.
“Lift Me Up” by Rihanna
Song year: 2022
Rihanna makes a big 2022 comeback with the lead single from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Most of the song focuses on being held tight and secure, avoiding drowning in a bottomless ocean. The anthem-like tone is overall lighthearted and inspiring.
“I Feel Like I’m Drowning” by Two Feet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkVvG4QTO9M
Song year: 2018
Although it’s never specified if the subject of this song is a terrible drug or a negative relationship, one thing that is crystal clear is the awful impact on his life.
Friends see it, he knows it’s holding him down, and it feels like drowning.
It’s a sad, melancholy song. Great for a listen when you need to connect about something holding you back in your life.
“Drowning” by A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie
Song year: 2017
Although many songs about drowning focus on the challenging sides of life, this flips the script entirely.
Instead of drowning in water, A Boogie with a Hoodie is drowning in ice and bling, getting out of the projects and into a life filled with helicopters, jewelry, and paparazzi.
“Vice City” by XXXTentacion
Song year: 2014
We’ve all been there. That helpless feeling washes over, and you feel like there’s no hope for the future, drowning in hopelessness.
And while this song starts with the low point, it slowly and subtly rises, helping you find your footing and continue to move forward.
“Numb” by XXXTentacion
Song year: 2018
Although the title might show indifference without emotion, the lyrics point to a more responsive drowning in tears and sadness.
For XXXTentacion, the numbness, tears, and pain all meld together. In his classic style, he still makes something magical to listen to on repeat.
“The Party & The After Party” by The Weeknd
Song year: 2011
This two-part song is a rollercoaster ride of emotions. What starts as an exciting romantic adventure rapidly turns south.
Eventually, the story goes from drowning in love to drowning in harm. While most songs on this list focus on one side or the other, this example from The Weeknd has them both. No wonder the song is on our list of the best songs of all time.
“Love It If We Made It” by The 1975
Song year: 2018
Although this song by The 1975 has no shortage of reasons to be down, such as a beach of drowning toddlers and the many ways modern society has failed, it’s relentlessly positive.
It’s an anthem of making it in the face of adversity, drowning in problems yet finding a way to breathe.
“GOLD” by BROCKHAMPTON
Song year: 2017
Precious metals attract people from all over the globe. In “GOLD,” the drowning happens from swimming in chains, diamonds, and other extravagant items.
With so many drowning songs focused on pain and difficulty, it’s nice to see the positive use. It also helps that the song is as fly as the words.
Top Songs About Drowning, Final Thoughts
While there’s a lot of sadness and pain throughout this list of songs about drowning, there are also quite a few highlights that remind us of what it’s like to be saturated in the good things in life.
At the end of the day, even the challenging times help us appreciate the times when we can breathe easier.