You’ve probably heard it. That slow, haunting guitar intro that feels like it’s being played in a room full of incense and old memories. Tash Sultana has this way of making you feel like you’re eavesdropping on a private conversation with the universe. But when it comes to the tash sultana notion lyrics, things get a little complicated. Most people hear the word "hallelujah" and assume it’s a spiritual anthem. Others think it’s just a breakup song.
Honestly? It’s both and neither.
"Notion" isn't just a track on an EP; it’s a snapshot of a person trying to keep their head above water while the tide is pulling them out to sea. Released back in 2016, this song helped define the "one-woman band" era for Tash, but the words themselves are surprisingly dark if you actually stop to listen to what’s being said.
The Deepest Ocean and Other Metaphors
Let’s talk about that chorus. "I got this notion, in the deepest ocean, calling out my name, screaming out in vain."
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It sounds poetic. It is. But for Tash, the "deepest ocean" isn't some vacation spot. It represents the weight of mental health struggles and the aftermath of a drug-induced psychosis they famously went through at age 17. When you’re in that headspace, everything feels like it’s happening underwater. You’re screaming, but nobody can hear you. You’re singing "hallelujah," but it’s not because you’re happy. It’s because you’re desperate for some kind of relief.
A lot of fans get hung up on the line: "Distance over depth is proven unannounced."
What does that even mean?
In a world where we focus on how far we can go—how many countries we can visit or how many followers we can get—we often ignore the depth of our actual experiences. Tash is pointing out that we’re moving fast but feeling nothing. It’s a critique of shallow living. It’s a realization that comes when you’ve spent months in a "fog haze," as they’ve described their recovery period.
Religion, Lies, and the Search for Truth
There is a massive misconception that Tash is a religious artist because of the biblical imagery. They aren't.
If you look at the lyrics from their wider catalog, like in the song "Salvation," they literally say, "I don’t need your loving for my salvation." In "Notion," the use of "hallelujah" is almost sarcastic—or at least, it’s secular. It’s a cry of release, not a prayer to a deity.
Why the "Ancient Letters" Matter
Some listeners confuse the lyrics of Tash’s "Notion" with the song of the same name by The Rare Occasions. It happens all the time on TikTok. The Rare Occasions song goes: "You think you owned it better believing ancient letters... it’s all a lie." Tash’s song is different. Theirs is more visceral. It’s about the internal "notions" or ideas that plague the mind. Tash sings:
"Tell your mother she don't understand. Tell your mother she's not listening."
This hits home for anyone who has ever tried to explain a mental breakdown to a parent who just wants them to "snap out of it." It’s about the isolation of being misunderstood by the people who are supposed to know you best.
The Raw Power of "Chains Made of String"
One of the most underrated lines in the tash sultana notion lyrics is: "Why don't you tie my heart with chains made of string."
Think about that for a second. Chains are heavy. String is fragile. To tie someone with "chains made of string" is to acknowledge a bond that is both suffocating and incredibly easy to break. It’s a toxic relationship dynamic. You want to leave, but you feel bound by something that shouldn't be strong enough to hold you—yet it does.
Tash has been open about the "bad crowds" they ran with before their music career exploded. This song feels like a final goodbye to those people.
"I won't follow you into the dark."
That’s the turning point. That’s the moment the protagonist of the song decides they aren’t going to let the "notion" win. It’s a rejection of the self-destructive path they were on.
How the Music Changes the Lyrics
You can’t talk about the lyrics without talking about the loop pedal.
When Tash performs "Notion" live, the song builds for minutes before a single word is spoken. By the time the lyrics start, the audience is already in a trance. This is intentional. The repetitive nature of the loops mimics the repetitive nature of intrusive thoughts. The music creates the "ocean" that the lyrics eventually describe.
If you listen to the version on the Notion EP, you’ll notice the vocals are mixed quite low at times. It’s like the voice is struggling to be heard over the instruments. Again, this reinforces the theme of being overwhelmed by one's own mind.
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Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're trying to really "get" what Tash is doing with this track, don't just read the lyrics on a screen. You have to look at the context of their life at that time.
- Watch the Bedroom Recording: Find the original live videos from 2016. You can see the intensity in their face. The lyrics aren't just words; they're a physical release.
- Check the Year: This was written when Tash was transitioning from a street busker in Melbourne to a global star. That "distance over depth" line? It’s about the fear of losing yourself in the industry.
- Listen for the "Wail": Toward the end of the song, the vocals break into a raspy, wordless cry. That’s where the real meaning is. Sometimes words (lyrics) fail, and you just have to scream.
To truly appreciate the tash sultana notion lyrics, you have to stop looking for a happy ending. It’s a song about the middle of the struggle. It’s about being in the deep end and finally realizing you don’t have to follow anyone else’s "dark" anymore.
Start by listening to the "Big Smoke" live versions right after "Notion." It provides the "after" to the "before" that "Notion" represents. You'll hear the evolution from desperation to the "pure form of happiness" Tash eventually found on later albums like Terra Firma.