The narrator sits on the dock of the bay, watching ships come and go, feeling like nothing will change despite their efforts. They express a sense of resignation to their current circumstances, wasting time and feeling lonely.

Meaning of "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" by Michael Bolton

The lyrics of "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" by Michael Bolton convey a profound sense of resignation and loneliness. The narrator, feeling lost and purposeless, sits on the dock watching the tide roll away, symbolizing time slipping by with no real change. The repetition of feeling stuck and wasting time reflects a sense of powerlessness and an inability to break free from the cycle of monotony. The reference to being unable to conform to what others expect, and choosing to remain true to oneself despite feeling isolated, adds depth to the theme of personal struggle and inner conflict. The image of sitting on the dock, a place of transition between land and sea, mirrors the narrator's own feelings of being in limbo, neither moving forward nor backward. Overall, the lyrics paint a poignant picture of a person grappling with their own sense of purpose and direction in life.