Get Flash to see this player.
Description
Another location song. We moved to the isolated south coast of NSW in '79, courtesy of the government - planned to stay 3 years but got hooked by the sea and the bush.
When I was a kid, my mother was always concerned about me drowning, and always told me to be "careful of the undertow". Even when I was a teenager, she used to say it when I was going out to parties, the pub or (still) the beach.
I began to interpret that as a warning about becoming seduced: drugs, women, the surfing culture etc.
This song is about getting seduced by a place. 25 years later we are still here, loving all sorts of things about it - the surf and the sometimes heavy weather made it to the song.
I love doing this stuff. OK so its a bit 70s, but so am I!
Hope you enjoy it.
When I was a kid, my mother was always concerned about me drowning, and always told me to be "careful of the undertow". Even when I was a teenager, she used to say it when I was going out to parties, the pub or (still) the beach.
I began to interpret that as a warning about becoming seduced: drugs, women, the surfing culture etc.
This song is about getting seduced by a place. 25 years later we are still here, loving all sorts of things about it - the surf and the sometimes heavy weather made it to the song.
I love doing this stuff. OK so its a bit 70s, but so am I!
Hope you enjoy it.
Leave a Comment
You must be registered and logged-in to comment.
Lyrics
Careful Of The Undertow
© Neil Porter 2005
Headed south to address some consequences
Thought we’d stay here for a while
You move away and you lose your best defences
Take a card and look out for the undertow
Mama said “beware of the undertow”
Big swell coming from the south
Tide is getting low
There’s action at the River Mouth
Paddle hard and look out for the undertow
Mama said “beware of the undertow”
Chorus
Loving each day
Living the coastal life
We’ve been here for quite a while
Someone said “beware of the dolce vita”
Mama said “beware of the undertow”
Going down with a smile in the undertow
Heavy weather in the air last night
Lightning sheeting ‘cross the bay
Red sky morning was a perfect sight
Stay on guard look out for the undertow
Mama said “beware of the undertow”
Not much hope of leaving Hotel California
Haven’t checked out for a while
City life has become inconsequential
Mama said “beware of the undertow”
Going down with a smile in the undertow
Chorus
Loving each day
Living the coastal life
We’ve been here for quite a while
Someone said “beware of the dolce vita”
Mama said “beware of the undertow”
Going down with a smile in the undertow
© Neil Porter 2005
Headed south to address some consequences
Thought we’d stay here for a while
You move away and you lose your best defences
Take a card and look out for the undertow
Mama said “beware of the undertow”
Big swell coming from the south
Tide is getting low
There’s action at the River Mouth
Paddle hard and look out for the undertow
Mama said “beware of the undertow”
Chorus
Loving each day
Living the coastal life
We’ve been here for quite a while
Someone said “beware of the dolce vita”
Mama said “beware of the undertow”
Going down with a smile in the undertow
Heavy weather in the air last night
Lightning sheeting ‘cross the bay
Red sky morning was a perfect sight
Stay on guard look out for the undertow
Mama said “beware of the undertow”
Not much hope of leaving Hotel California
Haven’t checked out for a while
City life has become inconsequential
Mama said “beware of the undertow”
Going down with a smile in the undertow
Chorus
Loving each day
Living the coastal life
We’ve been here for quite a while
Someone said “beware of the dolce vita”
Mama said “beware of the undertow”
Going down with a smile in the undertow
Tadashi Togawa
Your mother was correct.
Your vernal years, and, then, grew up.
And, this song was made now.
dear 70s.
Vernal years of hopes and fears.
Beautiful melody.
The wave surges.
And, it turns back.