Leviathan

Album: Rewind, Replay, Rebound (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • A Leviathan is an ancient name for a large sea creature. The name is believed to be from the Hebrew lawo, "to twist, to join," with tan from the Arabic tinin, meaning "dragon." In Psalm 104v26, the word refers to a whale; in Isaiah 27:1 it is a sea serpent.
  • Here, Volbeat's Michael Poulsen sings as the imagination of a young boy who is looking out of his bedroom window. The child can see the ocean and wonders where the Leviathan is.

    Outside my window, I can see
    The ocean where you used to be
    Horns that sprout out from your head
    A glowing light near the surface


    Poulsen explained to Billboard: "He already has a feeling that the world can be an evil place, full of bad people. He wants as a youngster to try to clean up the whole world, but he knows that he can't do that. But he believes that he can contact Leviathan the sea monster, and together they could clean up all the bad things."
  • Mastodon recorded a record in 2004 titled Leviathan. It was a concept album that was based on Herman Melville's novel about the giant white whale, Moby Dick.
  • Directed and animated by Steven Mertens, the song's music video follows the adventures of an underwater beast that forms a connection with a young boy. The clip is based on a painting by Karsten Sand that originally appeared in the Rewind, Replay, Rebound artwork.

Comments: 1

  • Gloria from Red Deer,alberta Xx CanadaLove the song laviathan great song.in fact every song by Volbeat I absolutely love.cant wait for them to start touring again once this virus is over.I would love them to come to Red Deer it's a pretty big city and I know everyone that I know here would definitely go see them as well
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Chris Frantz of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz of Talking HeadsSongwriter Interviews

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz on where the term "new wave" originated, the story of "Naive Melody," and why they never recorded another cover song after "Take Me To The River."

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.