Switchfoot - Saltwater Heart Lyrics
Lyrics
Talking to myself in a land locked parking lot
Cough drop dripping from my mouth like a long shot
My writers block ink, oh
Sick of all the small talk dripping non-stop
From the open mouth graves of the faux-hawk cinderblock malls
My blood clot pen, oh
Maybe I could break clean
Maybe I could break clean
When I'm on your shore again
I can feel the ocean
I can feel your open arms
Like pure emotion
I'm finally free again
Like my own explosion
When I'm on your shore again
I can feel the ocean
Saltwater running through my veins like a blind spot,
Like I got caught, saltwater like a tear drop
With a saltwater heart, oh
It's an abstract thought but I've been thinking non-stop
About the fact that my body's made most out of rain drops
With a saltwater heart, oh
Maybe I could wash clean
Maybe I could wash clean
All land locked dreams
Maybe I could believe
I can feel the ocean
Video
Switchfoot - Saltwater Heart [Official Audio]
Meaning & Inspiration
Switchfoot released "Saltwater Heart" on January 16, 2014, a track that immediately feels like standing at the edge of something vast and perhaps overwhelming. The song delves into a poignant exploration of the human condition, particularly the places within us that feel raw, wounded, and exposed to the elements, much like something weathered by the constant ebb and flow of the sea. It captures a sense of being shaped, perhaps painfully, by life's harsh realities and deep emotions, suggesting that this vulnerability, this "saltwater heart," is not merely a point of weakness but a state profoundly known by God.
The core idea woven through the song seems to be that the heart, in its journey through suffering and sorrow, is fundamentally changed, becoming saturated with the experiences represented by saltwater – tears, the vastness of uncaring waves, perhaps even the sting of purification. It speaks to the process of navigating difficult seasons where the heart feels exposed to forces beyond its control, leading to a state of brokenness or weariness. Yet, the song doesn't dwell in despair but hints at the profound significance of this state, implying a recognition from a higher power that understands and engages with this very condition.
This concept resonates deeply with Scriptural truths about the human heart and God's relationship to it. The Bible speaks of a broken spirit and a contrite heart as sacrifices acceptable to God, as seen in Psalm 51:17. Rather than requiring us to have it all together, God is described in Psalm 34:18 as being near to the brokenhearted. The "saltwater heart" could be seen as this broken, exposed place within us, a place God does not recoil from but actively approaches. Furthermore, the imagery of water is potent in Scripture, often representing overwhelming trials (Psalm 69:1-2) but also cleansing and renewal. Titus 3:5 speaks of salvation coming through the "washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit," suggesting that transformative experiences can involve a kind of spiritual cleansing, much like being washed clean by water, even if that water initially feels harsh or painful like saltwater.
The song carries an atmosphere of gentle acceptance of this broken state, finding a strange beauty or sacredness in it. It points toward a divine understanding that goes beyond human comprehension, reflecting the promise that God collects our tears (Psalm 56:8) and knows the depths of our sorrow. This divine perspective transforms the "saltwater heart" from a symbol of mere hardship into a testament of a life lived authentically before God, marked by both pain and the hope of ultimate healing. The endurance implied by something shaped by the constant action of the sea also echoes the biblical call to perseverance through trials, knowing that suffering can produce endurance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3-4).
Ultimately, "Saltwater Heart" serves as a comforting reminder that our most vulnerable places are not hidden from God but are precisely where His presence is most intimately felt. It’s an anthem for anyone carrying the weight of life's storms, acknowledging the reality of internal woundedness while pointing toward a divine love that understands and ultimately redeems our fragile, saltwater-washed hearts, preparing them for a future where every tear will be wiped away (Revelation 21:4).