This is a lyric taken from one of my favourite songs of all time. It's a song by a Californian Piano Rock band called Jack's Mannequin, fronted by Andrew McMahon.
You gotta swim
Swim for your life
Swim for the music that saves you
When you're not so sure you'll survive
You gotta swim
And swim when it hurts
The whole world is watching
You haven't come this far to fall off the earth
The currents will pull you
Away from your love
Just keep your head above
I found a tidal wave begging to tear down the dawn
Memories like bullets they fired at me from a gun
A crack in the armor
I swim for brighter days
Despite the absense of sun
Choking on salt water
I'm not giving in
I swim
You've gotta swim
Through nights that wont end
Swim for your families
Your lovers
Your sisters and brothers
And friends
You've gotta swim
Through wars without cause
Swim for the lost politicians
Who don't see their greed as a flaw
The currents will pull us
Away from our love
Just keep your head above
I found a tidal wave begging to tear down the dawn
Memories like bullets they fired at me from a gun
A crack in the armor
I swim for brighter days
Despite of the absense of sun
Choking on salt water
I'm not giving in
I'm not giving in
I swim
You gotta swim
Swim in the dark
There's no shame in drifting
Feel the tide shifting
And wait for the spark
You've gotta swim
Don't let yourself sink
Just find the horizon
I promise you it's not as far as you think
The currents will drag us
Away from our love
Just keep your head above
Just keep your head above
Swim
Just keep your head above
Swim, swim
Just keep your head above
Swim
Not only are Jack's Mannequin my favourite band, but Andrew McMahon is probably my biggest inspiration in life (along with my Dad and my older Brother). Everyone loves a song with a story behind it, and equally, I think I love Jack's Mannequin that little bit more due to Andrew's personal story. In June 2005, Andrew was diagnosed with Leukaemia, just months before the release of Jack's Mannequin's debut album. The documentary 'Dear Jack' follows his battle with Leukaemia, and throughout 'The Glass Passenger' you're filled with hope and promise knowing that he fought it and survived.
The break-up with Annie tore me apart, and for so long I felt lost, alone and insignificant. I felt like my whole life had fallen apart, that I was a nobody, and that I didn't matter. But this record taught me to keep going and helped me through some rough times. See, when something significant and life-changing happens, sometimes you spend too long looking at the closed door that you fail to realise the window that opened. This song always inspires me to carry on with life, no matter how tough, stressful or demoralising it can be, because there are brighter days ahead. It also encourages me to swim harder for these brighter days because, let's face it, life isn't easy. But with some elbow grease and a good heart, you can go far.
Right now, I'm swimming for brighter days, despite the absence of sun.
Luke
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