"Drink the Water" is a song recorded by Jack Johnson

Jack Johnson (musician)

Jack Johnson was born May 18, 1975 is an American folk rock singer-songwriter, surfer and musician known for his work in the soft rock and acoustic genres. In 2001, he achieved commercial success after the release of his debut album, Brushfire Fairytales. He has since released four more albums, a...

 on the album Brushfire Fairytales

Brushfire Fairytales

Brushfire Fairytales is the name of the debut album by singer-songwriter Jack Johnson. It was released in 2001 through Everloving Recordings. The record achieved a moderate degree of fame for Johnson, who has stated that he never intended to pursue a career in music, already majored in film studies...

released on February 1, 2001 under the Universal

Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...

 label.

It was inspired by an accident during a big surf

Surfing

Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...

 where Jack Johnson wiped out and nearly drowned. He had hit an underwater reef on a fall and cut his head wide open. Jack was the youngest pro-surfer to be invited to the Pipe Masters.

The song also talks about the danger of letting fear set in while surfing

Surfing

Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...

. Jack believes that one has to believe that one can do it or else, no matter how talented one is, that individual will fail.