“When you’re drowning, you don’t say ‘I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,’ you just scream.”
- October 9, 1940 – December 8, 1980
- British
- Musician, Songwriter, Peace Activist, Founding Member of The Beatles
table of contents
Quote
“When you’re drowning, you don’t say ‘I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,’ you just scream.”
Explanation
John Lennon uses a vivid metaphor to illustrate the urgency and rawness of genuine emotion, particularly in moments of crisis. His point is that when people are truly suffering, they don’t have the luxury of politeness, composure, or eloquence—they respond instinctively, with desperation and honesty. The act of “screaming” symbolizes a direct, unfiltered expression of need, bypassing social conventions and expectations.
This quote reflects Lennon’s broader view on authentic communication and emotional truth. Whether in art, activism, or personal life, he believed that real feeling demands real expression, not carefully edited words meant to please others. It’s also a critique of societal pressures to remain calm or dignified in the face of distress, which can invalidate or silence those in pain.
In today’s context, Lennon’s words resonate in discussions around mental health, protest, and vulnerability. They affirm that urgency and suffering deserve recognition, even when expressed chaotically or uncomfortably. His quote reminds us that the human response to crisis is not always elegant—but it is real, and it must be heard.
Would you like to share your impressions or related stories about this quote in the comments section?
