Dead Man
Jars of Clay Lyrics
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I'm looking at my body through a new spy satellite
Try to lift a finger, but I don't think I can make the call
So tell me if I move, 'cause I don't feel anything at all
So carry me,
I'm just a dead man
Lying on the carpet
Can't find a heartbeat
Make me breathe,
I want to be a new man
Tired of the old one
Out with the old plan
I woke up from a dream about an empty funeral
But is was better than the party full of people I don't really know
They've got hearts to break and burn
Dirty hands to feel the earth
There's something in my veins,
But I can't seem to make it work won't work
So carry me,
I'm just a dead man
Lying on the carpet
Can't find a heartbeat
Make me breathe,
I want to be a new man
Tired of the old one
Out with the old plan
Can you find a beat inside of me?
Any pulse?
Getting worse?
Any pulse?
Getting worse?
Inside of me, can you find a beat?
Carry me,
I'm just a dead man
Lying on the carpet
Can't find a heartbeat
Make me breathe,
I want to be a new man
Tired of the old one
Out with the old plan
Out with the old plan
The song "Dead Man" by Jars of Clay is a melancholic reflection on the emptiness of life and the desire for something more. The lyrics describe a person who feels as though they are already dead, lying on a carpet and unable to feel anything. They long to be carried away and made new, tired of the old life they've been living.
The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, with the singer stating that they have a lot on their mind and looking at their body through a "new spy satellite." This line suggests that the singer feels disconnected from their own body and unable to control it. They try to move, but can't feel anything at all. The chorus repeats the phrase "carry me," emphasizing the singer's desire to be taken away from their current situation.
The second verse adds to the feeling of emptiness by describing a dream about an empty funeral. The singer would rather be alone than surrounded by people they don't really know. The final lines of the song ask if there is any life left in the singer, any pulse left to be found inside of them.
Overall, "Dead Man" is a reflection on the search for meaning and the desire to be made new. The singer feels stuck in their old ways and desires something more, something that will make them feel alive again.
Line by Line Meaning
January One
The beginning of a new year and a new start.
I got a lot of things on my mind
The singer is preoccupied with thoughts and worries.
I'm looking at my body
The singer is introspective and examining themselves.
Through a new spy satellite
Using a metaphor for seeing themselves from a new perspective.
I try to lift a finger
The artist is attempting to move or take action.
But I don't think I can make the call
Feeling unsure or unable to take action.
So tell me if I move
Asking for help or guidance, unsure of their own situation.
'Cause I don't feel anything at all
Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected from their own body.
So carry me
Asking for assistance and support.
I'm just a dead man
Using a metaphor for feeling spiritually or emotionally dead.
Lying on the carpet
Facedown, unable to move or take action.
Can't find a heartbeat
Feeling disconnected from their own body and emotions.
Make me breathe
Asking for help or intervention to revive their spirit or energy.
I wanna be a new man
Expressing the desire for change and transformation.
Tired of the old one
Feeling stagnant or dissatisfied with their current state.
Out with the old plan
Rejecting their old way of life and making a fresh start.
I woke up from a dream
Having a symbolic or metaphorical experience that feels significant.
About an empty funeral
Using a metaphor for feeling alone or isolated.
But it's better than the party
Preferring solitude to superficial social situations or shallow connections.
Full of people I don't really know
Feeling disconnected or alienated from others.
Well, they've got hearts to break and burn
Reflecting on the pain and conflict of human relationships.
Dirty hands to feel the earth
Using a metaphor for the physical and emotional work of life.
There's something in my veins
Feeling a desire or drive to live and connect with others.
But I can't seem to make it work
Feeling stuck or unable to fulfill this desire.
Can you find a beat inside of me?
Asking for someone to help them find their own energy and motivation.
Any pulse, getting worse
Feeling increasingly disconnected or numb inside.
Inside of me, can you find a beat?
Asking for someone to help them find their own internal vitality.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: CHARLIE LOWELL, DAN HASELTINE, MATT ODMARK, STEPHEN DANIEL MASON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind