Head Underwater

Album: The Voyager (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Jenny Lewis wrote this song about a bout of insomnia that brought her to breaking point. "I had a meltdown, It's true," she told The Sun. "I couldn't speak and after two days lost my mind from sleep deprivation and then I spiraled about."

    "It was hard. I wasn't myself," she continued. "I was hypnotized as sleeping pills had the opposite effect on me and kept me awake at night. And I had counseling, but I didn't want any drugs. Now I'm older, I believe you have to deal with things, and not take pills."

    "'Head Underwater' is a song where I'm talking about this," Lewis concluded. "It's for any people who go through the same struggle with sleep."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jon Foreman of Switchfoot

Jon Foreman of SwitchfootSongwriter Interviews

Switchfoot's frontman and main songwriter on what inspires the songs and how he got the freedom to say exactly what he means.

Adele

AdeleFact or Fiction

Despite her reticent personality, Adele's life and music are filled with intrigue. See if you can spot the true tales.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Dave Edmunds

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.