You Wanted to Be the Shore But Instead You Were the Sea is an album by American-Australian singer-songwriter Natalie D-Napoleon, released in Australia in 2020 and North America and Europe in 2021.

The album debuted on the Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) 100% Independent Chart at number five for the week beginning October 6,[4] reaching number one on the week beginning November 16.

[5] Writing for XPress Magazine, music critic Conor Lochrie said about the album; "This is a raw and honest record and one that clearly values vulnerability.

"[3] Reviewing the album for PopMatters, Scott M. Morrison, said the album "is audacious, assured, disarming, and even vulnerable."

and said of its approach to the subject matter; "It does not idolize or embellish the women whose stories it tells.