Waves Edit

"Mr. Probz - Waves - Robin Schulz Radio Edit" explores the profound and painful experience of a slowly dissolving relationship. At its core, the song uses the extended metaphor of the ocean to articulate feelings of loss, helplessness, and emotional distance. The narrator feels like they are drowning, with their "face above the water" but feet unable to "touch the ground," symbolizing a desperate struggle to maintain control and emotional stability while feeling completely unmoored. This feeling is directly triggered by the absence of a loved one, suggesting that the relationship was their anchor. The recurring line, "slowly drifting away, wave after wave," powerfully illustrates the gradual, relentless, and seemingly unstoppable nature of the separation. Each "wave" can be interpreted as a conflict, misunderstanding, or moment of emotional distance that pushes the couple further apart. The lyrics convey a sense of resignation and deep sadness, as the narrator acknowledges they are "pulling against the stream"—a futile effort to fight the inevitable. Mr. Probz himself stated that the song is about the growing distance between two people and that its honesty is why so many listeners can relate to it.

The narrative unfolds from the perspective of someone in a state of emotional limbo, using the powerful metaphor of being lost at sea. The feeling is one of being ungrounded and overwhelmed, as expressed in the line, "My face above the water, my feet can't touch the ground." This opening image immediately establishes a sense of struggle and instability. The protagonist is just barely managing to survive, to keep their head above the metaphorical water, but they lack any solid footing or control over their situation.

This sense of powerlessness is directly linked to the absence of a loved one. The lyrics clarify that the feeling of being lost and seeing a distant, unreachable shore—"I can see the sands on the horizon"—intensifies whenever this person is not around. It's a clear depiction of emotional dependency, where the other person's presence provides stability and their absence brings on a crisis.

The core of the song revolves around the recurring motif of "drifting away, wave after wave." This phrase is not just a literal image of being carried by the ocean currents but a profound metaphor for a relationship that is slowly and inexorably falling apart. Each "wave" could represent a new argument, a period of silence, or a small disappointment that pushes the two people further apart. The process is gradual but relentless, creating a sense of inevitable separation. The feeling is described as being akin to "drowning" and "pulling against the stream," highlighting the exhausting and ultimately futile fight to resist this emotional drift and hold the relationship together.

There's a deep sense of vulnerability and a plea for understanding in the lines, "I wish I could make it easy, easy to love me." This reveals an internal conflict and self-awareness. The speaker recognizes their own complexities or flaws might be contributing to the relationship's decay. They are caught in a difficult position, "stuck here in between," unable to find the right words or actions to mend the growing distance. They are actively "looking for the right words to say," but the search feels hopeless as they continue to drift apart, carried by forces beyond their complete control. The repetition of these themes throughout the song emphasizes the cyclical and inescapable nature of their emotional struggle, painting a vivid picture of love being lost to the relentless, overwhelming tides of time and distance.

The journey of "Waves" is a tale of two distinct creations. The original version was a soulful, acoustic guitar ballad written and produced by Dutch artist Dennis Princewell Stehr, professionally known as Mr. Probz. He wrote the song shortly after getting a guitar for his birthday; it was the first thing he taught himself to play, and the song came to him almost instantly. The song's creation was deeply personal, written after a period of immense hardship for Mr. Probz, which included being shot in 2010 and losing his home and studio in a fire in late 2013. He salvaged his laptop, which contained the recordings, and performed the song on Dutch television shortly after the fire, leading to its initial success in the Netherlands in 2013.

The song gained massive international recognition through the 2014 remix by German DJ and producer Robin Schulz. As the original track gained traction, numerous unofficial bootlegs and remixes appeared online. Mr. Probz's team noticed that the remix by Schulz was consistently the most popular. After listening to it, they agreed it was the right version to release officially. Robin Schulz transformed the melancholic ballad into an upbeat, tropical house track, adding a distinctive electronic beat, a soft kick-drum, congas, and hi-hats, while retaining the emotional weight of Mr. Probz's vocals and the original guitar hook. This remixed version, released on February 4, 2014, became a global phenomenon, topping charts in over 50 countries, including the UK and Germany, and earning a Grammy nomination for Best Remixed Recording.

The song's structure is relatively simple, allowing the emotional weight of the lyrics and the rhythm to take center stage. The rhyme scheme is not strictly consistent but often follows patterns like AABB or ABCB in the verses, such as "ground" rhyming with "around." The focus is less on complex rhymes and more on the rhythmic flow of the words. The lyrical rhythm is conversational and syncopated, fitting naturally over the steady, mid-tempo beat of the remix. Robin Schulz sets the track to a classic house beat at approximately 120 BPM, creating a steady pulse that is easy to dance to. This rhythmic foundation is constant, while the melody and vocals provide the emotional dynamics. The interplay between the melancholic, flowing vocal melody and the persistent, upbeat rhythm is central to the song's appeal. The repetition of the chorus creates a hypnotic effect, mirroring the feeling of being caught in a relentless cycle, much like the ebb and flow of waves.

The Robin Schulz remix masterfully blends musical and lyrical techniques to create its signature melancholic yet danceable atmosphere.

• Musical Arrangement: Schulz completely recontextualized the original's sparse acoustic sound. He introduced a laid-back, four-on-the-floor kick drum typical of deep house, layered with tropical percussion like congas. A simple, memorable flute-like synth melody was added, which serves as a counterpoint to the vocal line and enhances the track's chill, summery vibe. The tempo is increased from the original ballad, making it suitable for dancefloors while retaining a relaxed feel. Schulz also uses techniques like risers and stereo-delayed effects to build tension and create a wider, more immersive soundscape.
• Vocal Delivery: Mr. Probz's original vocal performance is raw and emotive. In the remix, his voice is placed at the forefront, maintaining its soulful and vulnerable quality. This emotional core provides a stark, effective contrast to the upbeat instrumentation, which is a key element of the tropical house genre.
• Lyrical Repetition (Anaphora): The repetition of phrases like "Wave after wave" and "drifting away" acts as a lyrical hook that is both catchy and thematically significant. It mimics the relentless nature of ocean waves and drills the central theme of unstoppable separation into the listener's mind.
• Juxtaposition: The song's primary stylistic achievement is the juxtaposition of sad, introspective lyrics with a bright, warm, and rhythmic musical arrangement. This contrast is what gives the song its unique emotional complexity; it's a track that can be danced to on a sunny day, yet it carries a heavy weight of longing and loss.

The Robin Schulz remix of "Waves" had a monumental cultural impact, becoming one of the defining songs of 2014 and a cornerstone of the burgeoning tropical house genre. The song was a massive commercial success, reaching number one in numerous countries including the UK, Germany, Sweden, and Austria. In the UK, it was the fourth best-selling song of 2014. Its success helped propel both Mr. Probz and Robin Schulz to international stardom and earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical.

The track's blend of melancholic vocals with a relaxed, danceable beat became a blueprint for the tropical house sound that dominated pop and electronic music in the mid-2010s. Spotify even published a case study on the song, titled “Anatomy of a Hit,” detailing how its organic spread on the platform helped popularize music streaming itself. The song remains a staple on summer and chill-out playlists, and its influence can be heard in the work of many subsequent artists. The official music video has garnered over 660 million views on YouTube, cementing its status as an enduring hit. An alternate version featuring rappers T.I. and Chris Brown was also released, further extending its reach.

The song is built around a central, powerful metaphor: the ocean as a representation of a failing relationship and the emotional turmoil it causes.

• Drowning and Drifting: The primary imagery is of being lost at sea. Lines like "My feet can't touch the ground" and "it feels like I'm drowning" symbolize a complete loss of control and the overwhelming feeling of being consumed by sadness and despair. The act of "slowly drifting away, wave after wave" is a metaphor for the gradual, inexorable process of emotional separation. It’s not a sudden breakup, but a slow, painful erosion of connection.
• Waves: The titular "waves" symbolize the recurring problems, arguments, or painful moments that batter the relationship. Each wave pushes the narrator further from their partner and closer to the point of being completely submerged by their sorrow. The repetition reinforces the feeling of helplessness against these relentless forces.
• The Horizon: The line "I can see the sands on the horizon" represents a glimmer of hope, stability, or a past state of happiness that is now visible but unreachable. This mirage-like image appears "every time you are not around," highlighting that the distance and the longing for what's lost are most acute in moments of loneliness.
• Pulling Against the Stream: This phrase captures the narrator's struggle to save the relationship. It's an active but exhausting and ultimately losing battle against the powerful current of separation, emphasizing the futility and pain of the situation.

The song's structure and meaning are heavily reliant on a few key recurring phrases and motifs that create a powerful, cohesive message.

• "Wave after wave": This is the central motif of the song. Its constant repetition in the chorus transforms it into a mantra of loss. It perfectly captures the feeling of being relentlessly worn down by emotional hardship, with each repetition signifying another step in the slow, painful process of the relationship's end. Its recurrence makes the feeling of being overwhelmed palpable for the listener.
• "Slowly drifting (drifting away)": This phrase, often paired with "wave after wave," is the narrative's core action. It emphasizes the passivity and lack of control the narrator feels. They are not actively leaving, but are being carried away by forces beyond their control. The repetition highlights the slow, agonizing nature of this emotional journey into isolation.
• "My feet can't touch the ground": This line, appearing in the verses, establishes the foundational feeling of instability. It's a recurring reminder of the narrator's vulnerability and lack of an emotional anchor, directly contrasting with the moments when they could feel grounded in the relationship.
• Musical Motif: Musically, the simple, memorable guitar riff from the original song is a recurring motif in the remix. It's the song's melodic anchor, tying the dance-oriented remix back to the raw, emotional core of Mr. Probz's original composition. The gentle, repeating riff provides a sense of continuity amidst the emotional turmoil described in the lyrics.