Meaning of "Waves Know Shores" by James Blake

The lyrics of "Waves Know Shores" by James Blake convey the longing for a deep and profound connection with someone. The repeated phrase "You wanna know me like waves know shores" emphasizes the narrator's desire for understanding and depth in a relationship. Waves and shores are symbolic of a natural and inevitable relationship – waves continuously crash onto the shore, an eternal interaction. By comparing the way waves intimately know shores to the desired level of knowledge from another person, the narrator longs for a connection that goes beyond superficiality.

The lyrics also touch upon the idea of waiting. "And I waited some, and I waited some" implies a sense of patience and expectation. The narrator is waiting to see who has a "mind of gold" – someone who is genuine, authentic, and capable of truly understanding them. Through the repeated phrase "message after message," the narrator may be suggesting their attempts at communication with others, but without finding someone who truly understands them or has experiences that change them. This points to a dissatisfaction with shallow connections and a yearning for something more meaningful.

The repeated line "Like I know my own self's goals" suggests a certain level of self-awareness and understanding. It implies that the narrator has a strong sense of their own desires and aspirations. By comparing this self-knowledge to wanting someone to know them like waves know shores, it further emphasizes the desire for a deep connection where another person is intimately aware of their innermost thoughts and goals.

The final lines of the song, "I suggest you love like love's no loss," offer a perspective on love. The narrator encourages a fearless and open approach to love, suggesting that one should love without fear of loss. It implies a belief in embracing love fully, without reservation or expectation of pain or heartbreak. It is a call to love passionately and without restraint.

Overall, the lyrics of "Waves Know Shores" delve into the longing for a deep connection with another person that goes beyond superficiality. It explores the desire to be truly understood and the frustration in searching for someone who can truly know them. It also suggests an approach to love that is fearless and unrestrained, encouraging the abandonment of fear in order to fully experience the depths of love.