CHVRCHES & Robert Smith – How Not To Drown Lyrics - Genius

2025, In ReviewFeaturedChartsVideosPromote Your MusicSign Up16How Not To DrownCHVRCHES & Robert SmithProducerCHVRCHESTrack 5 onScreen Violence (Director’s Cut) Jun. 2, 20211 viewer44K views29 ContributorsTranslations

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How Not To Drown Lyrics

“How Not to Drown” is the second single from CHVRCHES' fourth album and features The Cure founder and frontman Robert Smith. The song began under the working title “Piano Drum Ting” after Martin Doherty began… Read More [Verse 1: Lauren Mayberry]I'm writin' a book on how to stay conscious when you drownAnd if the words float up to the surface, I'll keep 'em downThis is the first time I know I don't want the crownYou can take it nowYou promised the world and brought me it hangin' from a stringStuck it in my mouth, into my throat, told me to singThat was the first time I knew you can't kill the kingAnd those who kiss the ring[Chorus: Lauren Mayberry]Tell me howIt's better when the sun goes downWe will never escape this townI wasn't scared when he caught me, look what it taught meTell me howIt's better if I make no soundI will never escape these doubtsI wasn't dead when they found me, watch as they pull me down[Verse 2: Robert Smith]I'm writing a chapter on what to do after they dig you upOn what to do after you grew to hate what you used to loveThat was the first time I knew they were out for bloodAnd they would have your gutsYou might also like[Chorus: Lauren Mayberry & Robert Smith]Tell me howIt's better when the sun goes downWe will never escape this townI wasn't scared when he caught me, look what it taught meTell me howIt's better if I make no soundI will never escape these doubtsI wasn't dead when they found me, watch as they pull me down[Bridge: Lauren Mayberry & Robert Smith]Watch as they pull me downWatch as they pull me downPulling me downDead when they found me, watch as they pull me downWatch as they pull me downWatch as they pull me downPulling me downDead when they found me, watch as they pull me down[Outro: Robert Smith]I'm writing a book on how to stay conscious when you drownAnd if the words float up to the surface, I'll keep them downThis is the first time I know I don't want the crownYou can take it now (You can take it now)You can take it now (You can take it now)Take it now (Take it now)16EmbedCancel

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AboutSong Bio3 contributors

“How Not to Drown” is the second single from CHVRCHES' fourth album and features The Cure founder and frontman Robert Smith. The song began under the working title “Piano Drum Ting” after Martin Doherty began “bashing chords out” on a piano at a venue where the band was scheduled to perform. Lauren Mayberry’s lyrics were inspired by a time she “felt like I was in over my head at the deep end and not sure how to get back” and considered quitting the band.

Meanwhile, the band’s manager made contact with Smith and sent him some of the band’s works in progress. Smith selected “Drown” and emailed the band his vocal contributions for the track “out of the blue” on Halloween, then remained involved in the song’s creation throughout the rest of the process including contributing guitar & bass and being involved with the sound of the finished product.

The track’s music video was filmed during COVID-19 lockdown, so Smith’s parts were filmed separately at his house using a green screen.

“How Not To Drown” peaked at #55 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart and won NME’s “Best Song By A UK Artist” award.

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Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

Ask a questionWhat did CHVRCHES & Robert Smith say about "How Not To Drown"?Verified CommentaryLauren Mayberryvia InstagramGenius Answer1 contributor

“How Not To Drown” is officially out. I still can’t really believe it. We are incredibly grateful to Robert for his kindness and for creating this thing with us. My mind will never stop being blown.

It’s sort of poetic too, how things work out. These lyrics are about a time when I just wanted to disappear, and the only time I ever thought about quitting the band. I felt like I was in over my head at the deep end and not sure how to get back.

But I did get back. And if you’ve felt like that, I hope you find your way back too. This is the chapter on what to do after they dig you up.

I am so lucky to get to make music with my pals (let alone one of our musical heroes), and so grateful that you keep a place for that music in your heart. Thank you.

+21What else have the artists said about the song?Verified CommentaryMartin Dohertyvia Apple MusicGenius Answer1 contributor

I use writing as a coping mechanism to find better balance as I don’t handle the constant moving around very well. We happened to be in a venue with an old beaten-up piano on it. I started playing around, bashing chords out like the way they ended up in the song. Our manager knows what huge fans we are of The Cure, and—without telling us—was trying to get us a support slot. Then he said, “Robert Smith has emailed me, what do we want?” We said, “Let’s send him a bunch of music. The ultimate dream would be for him to sing on this record.” A while later, we got an email out of the blue on Halloween with him singing on this track.

+17What else have the artists said about the song?Verified CommentaryLauren Mayberryvia Apple MusicGenius Answer1 contributor

I’d been reading a lot of Virginia Woolf. She killed herself by drowning herself, which is quite dark. We always talk about how water and water imagery comes up a lot in my lyric writing. It was time to figure out why that was. I feel like it’s all a metaphor for drowning under something. But we’re here and Robert Smith’s on the song, so it’s really good.

+15Who produced “How Not To Drown” by CHVRCHES & Robert Smith?When did CHVRCHES & Robert Smith release “How Not To Drown”?Who wrote “How Not To Drown” by CHVRCHES & Robert Smith?Screen Violence (Director’s Cut) (2021)CHVRCHES

1. 1. Asking for a Friend
2. 2. He Said She Said
3. 3. California
4. 4. Violent Delights
5. 5. How Not To Drown
6. 6. Final Girl
7. 7. Good Girls
8. 8. Lullabies
9. 9. Nightmares
10. 10. Better If You Don’t
11. 11. Killer
12. 12. Screaming
13. 13. Bitter End

Screen Violence (2021)CHVRCHESExpand CreditsReleased onJune 2, 2021ProducerCHVRCHESWritersRobert Smith, Martin Doherty, Lauren Mayberry & Iain CookVocalsRobert Smith & Lauren MayberryHow Not To Drown RemixesHow Not to Drown (Robert Smith Remix) by CHVRCHES & Robert SmithHow Not To Drown TranslationsCHVRCHES - How Not To Drown ft. Robert Smith (Tradução em Português) by Genius Brasil TraduçõesTagsElectronicPopUKScotlandElectronic RockIndependentElectropopSynth-PopIndie RockAlternative RockIndie PopAlternative PopPop RockAlternativeExpand CommentsAdd a commentSign Up And Drop Knowledge 🤓Genius is the ultimate source of music knowledge, created by scholars like you who share facts and insight about the songs and artists they love.Sign Up