After performing the song at Woodstock ‘94, Perry Farrell claims that the song was written about a time where he risked his life to save his friend out at sea when he was in Tahiti.
(Perry starts telling this story at 29:10 in the video attached below)
My boat's capsized, it's gonna sink to the bottom
I can see the lights on the shore getting farther away
I don't know if I'll make it home tonight
But I know I can swim under the Tahitian moon
I came out here tonight to look for my friend
I don't know if I'll ever get to see him again
I don't know if I'll make it home tonight
But I know I can swim under the Tahitian moon
One last time under the Tahitian moon
The sea is a very easy place to disappear
Drift away, fall asleep or make your peace
I came out here tonight to look for my friend
I don't know if I'll ever get to see him again
I don't know if I'll make it home tonight
But I know I can swim under the Tahitian moon
I can swim under the Tahitian moon
I can swim under the Tahitian moon
I can swim under the Tahitian moon
I can swim
Tahitian Moon was written by Perry Farrell.
Tahitian Moon was produced by Matt Hyde & Thomas Johnson & Perry Farrell.
Porno for Pyros released Tahitian Moon on Tue May 28 1996.