The song at #18 on my list of 100 Best Songs of the 2010s is “I Feel Like I’m Drowning” by Two Feet. I was blown away the moment I first heard the dark and sultry song in early spring 2018, and quickly became a devoted fan of the New York City-based singer-songwriter and producer. Born Zachary William “Bill” Dess, he’s one of the finest blues guitarists making music today, in my opinion. His incredible guitar work, combined with his seductive yet vulnerable vocals, make for music that’s both affecting and appealing. His songs are slow burns, characterized by soulful, smoldering vocals, intense, bluesy riffs, cool jazz and hip-hop undertones, and booming synth bass grooves that cut straight to our cores. He also writes brutally honest and compelling lyrics that deeply resonate with his fans. As another writer so beautifully stated: “his songs are the soundtrack for staying up late into the night, aching to figure out how to remedy heartbreak, anxiety, and uncertainty.”
Two Feet records and performs his music with the assistance of his longtime keyboardist/drummer Geoffrey Hufford (aka Huff), who is adept at delivering the deep, floor-rattling synthesized bass that gives his music such incredible power and depth. He first gained notoriety in 2017 when the video for his first single “Go Fuck Yourself” went viral. “I Feel Like I’m Drowning” is about drowning in a toxic relationship, but could have also described his own mental state during the summer of 2018 as the pressures of fame and professional commitments took their toll on his emotional well-being. The song was later included on his debut album A 20 Something Fuck, and reached #1 on the Billboard Alternative chart.
You keep dreaming and dark scheming Yeah, you do You’re a poison and I know that is the truth All my friends think you’re vicious And they say you’re suspicious You keep dreaming and dark scheming Yeah, you do
I feel like I’m drowning (I’m drowning) You’re holding me down and (holding me down) You’re killing me slow (so slow, oh no) I feel like I’m drowning (I’m drowning)
You’re so plastic and that’s tragic Just for you I don’t know what the hell you gonna do When your looks start depleting And your friends all start leaving You’re so plastic and that’s tragic Just for you
I feel like I’m drowning (I’m drowning) You’re holding me down and (holding me down) You’re killing me slow (so slow, oh no) I feel like I’m drowning (I’m drowning)
(My life’s okay) Yeah, just when you’re not around me (My life’s okay) Just when you’re not around me (My life’s okay) Just when you’re not around me (My life’s okay)
I feel like I’m drowning (I’m drowning) You’re holding me down and (holding me down) You’re killing me slow (so slow, oh no) I feel like I’m drowning (I’m drowning)
The erotic black and white video for the song was directed by fellow musician Absofacto and produced by Alexander Norton.
I had the pleasure of seeing Two Feet perform in Los Angeles in November 2018 (you can read my review of that concert here).
1. HALLUCINOGENICS – Matt Maeson (2)
2. BLACK & WHITE LOVE – Beating Hearts Club (3)
3. HOW WILL I REST IN PEACE IF I’M BURIED BY A HIGHWAY?// – Kenny Hoopla (1)
4. HONEYBEE – The Head and the Heart (5)
5. PSYCH FILM – Strangely Alright (7)
6. SOMEONE ELSE – Rezz & Grabbitz (8)
7. CARDIGAN – Taylor Swift (10)
8. FIRE – Black Pumas (11)
9. IF NOT FOR THE FIRE – The Million Reasons (4) 20th week on list
10. MONSTERS – All Time Low featuring blackbear (14)
11. HELL N BACK – Bakar (6)
12. LIVING IN A GHOST TOWN – The Rolling Stones (9)
13. HEAVEN IS HEART – Jaded Jane (15)
14. NOT OK! – Chaz Cardigan (18)
15. STRANGERS – Mt. Joy (13)
16. SWIMMING CLOSER – HAZY (19)
17. IT’S YOU – The Frontier (20)
18. LEVEL OF CONCERN – twenty one pilots (12)
19. MY OWN SOUL’S WARNING – The Killers (21)
20. CAN I CALL YOU TONIGHT? – Dayglow (22)
21. MARIA – Two Feet (16) 20th week on list
22. DON’T LET ME DOWN – Milky Chance featuring Jack Johnson (17)
23. DOWNS – Roadkeeper (27)
24. ZEN – X Ambassadors, K.Flay & grandson (29)
25. WATERMELON SUGAR – Harry Styles (N)
26. MY FUTURE – Billie Eilish (N)
27. LEMON DROP – Absofacto (23) 20th week on list
28. BACK TO HIM – Soricah (30)
29. REAL LONG TIME – White Reaper (24)
30. HOODIE UP – MISSIO (N)
1. HOW WILL I REST IN PEACE IF I’M BURIED BY A HIGHWAY?// – Kenny Hoopla (1)
2. HALLUCINOGENICS – Matt Maeson (3)
3. BLACK & WHITE LOVE – Beating Hearts Club (4)
4. IF NOT FOR THE FIRE – The Million Reasons (2)
5. HONEYBEE – The Head and the Heart (6)
6. HELL N BACK – Bakar (5)
7. PSYCH FILM – Strangely Alright (8)
8. SOMEONE ELSE – Rezz & Grabbitz (9)
9. LIVING IN A GHOST TOWN – The Rolling Stones (10)
10. CARDIGAN – Taylor Swift (N)
11. FIRE – Black Pumas (13)
12. LEVEL OF CONCERN – twenty one pilots (7)
13. STRANGERS – Mt. Joy (12)
14. MONSTERS – All Time Low featuring blackbear (14)
15. HEAVEN IS HEART – Jaded Jane (15)
16. MARIA – Two Feet (11)
17. DON’T LET ME DOWN – Milky Chance featuring Jack Johnson (18)
18. NOT OK! – Chaz Cardigan (19)
19. SWIMMING CLOSER – HAZY (20)
20. IT’S YOU – The Frontier (21)
21. MY OWN SOUL’S WARNING – The Killers (23)
22. CAN I CALL YOU TONIGHT? – Dayglow (27)
23. LEMON DROP – Absofacto (16)
24. REAL LONG TIME – White Reaper (17)
25. MAYDAY!!! FIESTA FEVER – AWOLNATION featuring Alex Ebert (24)
26. WOLVES – MISSIO (28)
27. DOWNS – Roadkeeper (30)
28. LAY YOUR HEAD ON ME – Major Lazer featuring Marcus Mumford (22)
29. ZEN – X Ambassadors, K.Flay & grandson (N)
30. BACK TO HIM – Soricah (N)
ECLECTIC MUSIC LOVER 