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A Dead Fish Gains the Power of Observation
The Books Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

a dead fish gains the power of observation
speaks the fish
something's fishy about this dish
why am i so still in dill?
can't stir a gill
or tilt my head
it must be that i am dead

Overall Meaning

The Books' song "A Dead Fish Gains the Power of Observation" is one of the most intriguing and thought-provoking pieces of music. The lyrics of the song explore the idea of eternal life and the perspective of a dead fish that has gained the unusual ability of observation. The song starts with the fish speaking and expressing its confusion about being served as dinner in a dish. The fish is frozen in dill and unable to move as it used to. The fish then realizes that it is dead and that is why it cannot move.


The meaning behind these lyrics is that even though we may not realize it, every living being possesses the ability to observe their surroundings and act accordingly. However, life is fleeting, and once it ends, we are no longer capable of observing our world. The dead fish in this song seems to be envious of the living world and its sense of movement and purpose.


Overall, “A Dead Fish Gains the Power of Observation” by The Books, is an insightful and thought-provoking song that makes the listener question the concept of existence and its limitations.


Line by Line Meaning

a dead fish gains the power of observation
Despite being deceased and unable to move or function, a fish gains the unique ability to finally take in its surroundings.


speaks the fish
In a surreal twist, the dead fish is given a voice to communicate its newly found sensory abilities.


something's fishy about this dish
Metaphorically suggesting that this situation has an underlying deceitful or suspicious nature.


why am i so still in dill?
The fish wonders why it has remained motionless in the herbs and spices meant to flavor it.


can't stir a gill
Unable to even move its gills, the fish remains completely immobilized.


or tilt my head
The fish laments its inability to move any part of its body and is forced to accept its fate as dead.


it must be that i am dead
The fish concludes that its current state is the result of it having passed away, further emphasizing the surreal nature of the episode.




Contributed by Kylie F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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