The day I heard “Swim”, I realized that I found my anthem. Never before had I heard a song that related to so many aspects of my life. Since I was a child, I had this attitude that everything would work out. I remember being sick in the hospital when I was eight. I was running an ultra-high temperature and was severely dehydrated and my primary care doctors were stumped. I could tell that my parents were worried and upset despite their positive attitudes. I wasn’t told much of what was going on, and I instantly believed that I was dying. I sat next to my mother in waiting room after waiting room as they ran tests on me, and it occured to me that even if I did die, I was alive at that moment and I was going to be happy for the time that I had.

Obviously, I was fine, but twelve years later I still hold this philosophy and I believe that “Swim” is about that intense optimism and ability to hold your head up high above all else. It rings true today in two very different aspects of my life.

First, I am engaged to a wonderful man. We have been together for quite a few years now, but we have unfortunately had to deal with a long-distance relationship after initially meeting on the ‘net. Some days, the distance just seems impossible. I have had a rough year, and it’s painful when I just need a hug or a shoulder to cry on, but that person is 200 miles away and I won’t be able to see him for a month. Even something as simple as falling asleep without him is very difficult at times. I know that my situation may not be perfect, but as “Swim” states – “the currents will pull you away from your love, just keep your head above”. And I have. Whenever I feel helpless in my situation, I plug in my headphones and let my mind escape into this song and, particularly, this line of this song.

More recently and more importantly, though, this song has brought me hope. Recently, a family member was diagnosed with cancer. When I heard this news, I felt helpless. I didn’t have the answers for once and there didn’t feel like I could do anything at all. As I listened to this song for the first time after the diagnosis, a big weight was lifted off of me because it occured that I don’t have to just sit there and wait for bad news to unfold. I was reminded of why the song was likely written – Andrew’s own battle with cancer – and that he did not just sit to the side and play victim to cancer. I was already registered under Team Jack’s Mannequin for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night walk, but up until that date I didn’t take it as seriously as I should have. The revelation that “Swim” gave me allowed me to not only raise about $500, but also to be the captain of my leg of the team. Five of us raised over $2000.

So really, “Swim” is everything to me. It’s the light at the end of the tunnel and the reminder that there is always hope and happiness even in what seem to be the dimmest situations.

Swim to me means Persevere. Nothing less, Nothing more

I think Swim is a clever metaphor that Andrew through together to have dual meanings. It means whatever the listener interprets it as. To me it represents facing the current off life and overcoming an struggles in the way. I also wonder if it has anything to do with his tattoo, “The river is everywhere,” and furthermore how it ties into River Apparel

Swim to me, means to fight. No matter what, you have to fight to survive. I used to swim competitively, and the pain associated with long distances it brutal, just like some experiences in life are extremely painful. However, you must go on, or “Swim” If you quit swimming, life is over. Even when you are not sure you will survive, as in the case of Andrew, he never gave up. He kept swimming, and fighting, just as the rest of us should.

Swim to me just means to never give up, no matter what the circumstances might be. Even when the world throws you a couple curve balls, its just swimming, and striving toward your goal, whether it be survival or overcoming a fear, its the journey you take to reach where you want to be. While for Andrew his personal battle with cancer inspired swim, swim isn’t just for people facing death it’s a way to size up your life when you have difficult choices to make and their are mountains in your way. You just gotta swim…

Swim. Find a way through–through the calm waters and the rough, through quiet streams and roaring rivers. Just keep your head above. You don’t have to be a hero. You don’t have to be unaffected by hardship. You just have to not let the hardships overcome your will to survive, because the will to survive is stronger than anything else.

As someone who suffers from depression, I am amazed at the power a single song can have on a person’s life. The first time I heard Swim, I was blown away. Here was someone who knew what I needed to hear. Finally someone–someone who didn’t even know me or my situation–was telling me exactly what I needed to hear:

“Just keep your head above.” I didn’t have to be a superhero and magically cure myself of this illness. I just had to make it day by day, and not let myself drown in misery, even though it would be the easier way out.

“Find the horizon, I promise you it’s not as far as you think.” There is something better coming. I know there are infinite interpretations of this line for others, but for me it promises me that there will come a day when I will heal, and will find someone to love me unconditionally, flaws and all. A time will come when I am happy with myself and my life, and it’s worth fighting the currents now to get that time.

This song gives me such hope, and has pushed me to strive for a better life for myself, one where I can love myself and let others love me as well. I haven’t reached it, but “I’m not giving in. I swim.”

“Swim.” It’s a song that has a quality that not many songs have nowadays, which is that it’s timeless. It could be heard one hundred years ago or a hundred years into the future and its ideas would remain just as relevant as it does today. Whether or not you’ve heard Andrew’s story, we’ve all had a point of turmoil that has broken us physically or emotionally. “Swim” musically and lyrically lifts spirits in a manner I have never felt before. There is no such thing as losing all hope with this song. While we are being constantly shot down by the demons of our past and present this song pushes us to never quit. No matter what life throws at you, you’ve got to believe that you’re stronger than you know. It’s easy to appreciate and respect what Andrew has created with the song “Swim,” as it conveys ideas that speak to you when you need it most. The images formed throughout this song are a perfect metaphor to the message. No matter what losses we’ve had that seem pull us down, what we’ve got left is still good enough stay above water. We could still get through even if the odds seem against us. It’s the encouragement helping us to move forward to reach the end of a journey. “Swim” encompasses the pure idea of living life. It’s worth fighting for. I’ve had Andrew’s music in my life for almost a decade. Yet it isn’t necessary to have followed his discography to be uplifted by his words and passion. It’s a song that I’ve recommended to people who have never heard of Andrew and its effect on people is always the same. They feel connected to this stranger letting us know that we’re all fighting some sort of battle and that we are not alone. As the song slowly ends, I always find myself breathing easier. It has that effect on me. And it probably has that effect on a lot of people. You feel extraordinary as if you’ve been given the embrace you’ve been waiting for. We are human, indecisive and doubtful, yet “Swim” gets us back on our feet, ready for anything. And from that moment on, you remember that you’re stronger than you know. We all are.

Who won this..