Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: emo
Song Meaning of “Dirty Water” by Real Friends
Real Friends’ single, “Dirty Water” depicts a story of a relationship in its final stage. It discusses the pain and difficulty of having to accept that love is gone, and it is time to let go. The song begins with the lyrics “I heard you moved away, somewhere down south. You find a love that’s gone,
cover it with a pout.” These lines may represent a lack of acceptance of the situation as the narrator hears of the other person’s departure. The narrator is likely having difficulty accepting this even though he (or she) already knows it is the right thing to do.
The chorus describes being surrounded by “dirty water”, metaphorically representing the feelings of pain, sorrow and regret, of what could have been. The lines “We can talk about mistakes, regrets, and what we can’t forget, but in the end, you will,” suggest the narrator accepting that there is nothing left to do but move on. The chorus also includes the line “Dirty water, you can’t pull me in, just wash away the memories.” Here, the storyteller is trying to push away the painful memories of the relationship, while at the same time also wishing it still remains.
The second verse refers to the memories of the past, while also accepting the new reality of not having that person in their life anymore. The sentiment is further illustrated when the narrator reflects on prior events “Ahh, I remember that day. We laughed and drank away the pain, but now I’m here alone.” The song ends on a much more hopeful note as the storyteller is willing to accept that there is a reason behind the life’s changes, in the lines “Everything happens for a reason, it’s time to start agreeing.”
The song provides a raw and honest outlook on the emotions of a lingering love, the sadness of accepting its loss, and the hope of a new beginning. “Dirty Water” speaks of the beauty of accepting heartbreak and finding the courage to move forward.