Deadweight
Beck Lyrics
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You're so alone today
Like a ghost town I've found
There's no relief, no salt in the sea
Is it true what they say
You can't behave
You gamble your soul away
Measuring your dreams of this life seems
Don't let the sun catch ya crying
Don't let the sun catch ya crying
Like an nice age nice days
On your way sipping the golden dregs
On a rip tide freaks ride
Sleep inside a parasite's appetite
Oh say can't ya see the chemistry
The parasites, the cleanup fee
Death leather hands recycled cans
Get well cards to the hostage vans
Don't let the sun catch ya crying
Don't let the sun catch ya crying
You're a dead weight right straight
On your way sunk in the midnight shade
Skies burn eyes turn
Learning to counterfeit their disease
In this town where we roam
We bluff our souls on canteen patios
Drink the greatest draft
The music drags the music drags the music drags
Don't let the sun catch ya crying
Don't let the sun catch ya crying
The opening lines of the song, "On a highway unpaved going my way, you're so alone today," sets the scene for the rest of the song, in which Beck describes the feeling of being lost and isolated. The imagery of a "ghost town" and "no relief, no salt in the sea" further emphasize this sense of emptiness and desolation. The line "Is it true what they say, you can't behave, you gamble your soul away" suggests that the singer is at a moral crossroads and may have chosen a destructive path. The phrase "measuring your dreams of this life seems like the gristle of loneliness" evokes a sense of hopelessness and despair.
The chorus, "Don't let the sun catch ya crying," serves as a reminder to not let one's vulnerability show, to put on a brave face and soldier on. The second verse continues the theme of feeling lost and disconnected, with lines like "sleep inside a parasite's appetite" and "the parasites, the cleanup fee." The mention of "death leather hands recycled cans" creates a vivid image of a bleak and desolate environment.
Overall, "Deadweight" is a song about the feeling of being lost and disconnected in a harsh and unforgiving world, and the struggle to maintain a facade of strength and resilience.
Line by Line Meaning
On a highway unpaved going my way
Starting a journey on a rough and unsettled path, moving towards a personal destination
You're so alone today
Feeling isolated and disconnected from others in the present moment
Like a ghost town I've found
Discovering a desolate and empty place, without any signs of life or energy
There's no relief, no salt in the sea
Experiencing a lack of comfort and satisfaction, with no hope for improvement
Is it true what they say
Questioning a commonly held belief or assumption
You can't behave
Struggling to conform to societal expectations or personal boundaries
You gamble your soul away
Taking risky actions or making questionable decisions that compromise personal values or integrity
Measuring your dreams of this life seems
Assessing personal aspirations and goals, trying to make sense of their relevance or value
Like the gristle of loneliness
Feeling the tough and undesirable parts of being alone, without any relief or satisfaction
Don't let the sun catch ya crying
Urging someone to overcome their sadness or despair, and not let it affect their appearance or demeanor
On a nice age nice days
Recalling a past time or era with pleasant memories and positive emotions
On your way sipping the golden dregs
Enjoying the remnants or leftover pleasures of life, without experiencing anything truly meaningful or fulfilling
On a rip tide freaks ride
Being caught in a dangerous and overwhelming situation, with no control over the outcome
Sleep inside a parasite's appetite
Indulging in the unhealthy desires or actions of others, without regard for personal well-being or safety
Oh say can't ya see the chemistry
Noticing or recognizing a connection or attraction between two people or forces
The parasites, the cleanup fee
Dealing with negative consequences or burdens caused by others' actions or behaviors
Death leather hands recycled cans
Describing a bleak and desolate landscape, with no signs of life or hope
Get well cards to the hostage vans
Sending messages of comfort or support to those trapped or confined against their will
You're a dead weight right straight
Being a burden or hindrance to oneself, and lacking any sense of direction or purpose
On your way sunk in the midnight shade
Moving forward in a dark and lonely place, without any sense of hope or direction
Skies burn eyes turn
Experiencing a painful or overwhelming sensation, caused by external forces or conditions
Learning to counterfeit their disease
Becoming skilled at imitating or replicating others' negative behaviors or attitudes, without any true understanding or empathy
In this town where we roam
Living in a place without any clear identity or sense of community
We bluff our souls on canteen patios
Pretending or hiding one's true feelings or motivations, in order to fit in or be accepted
Drink the greatest draft
Indulging in the best or most desirable experiences or pleasures of life
The music drags the music drags
Feeling weighed down or exhausted by external forces or influences
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BECK HANSEN, JOHN ROBERT KING, MICHAEL S. SIMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@averyellis
A shadow dragging the man is one of the best ideas i've seen (either Beck or Gondry) do.
@averyellis
plus that guitar tone at 3:35 HAS to be an homage to Os Mutantes.
@BB-te8tc
"The music drags, the music drags" as Beck is literally dragged. I love it.
@mbrad2002
Becks music, this song , this Video, is sheer genius!! I am 65 years old and am so thankful that I lived to experience his music!! There is only one other artist in my life that made music that impressed me sooooooooooooo much and that was Jimi Hendrix!! Beck is more human than humanly possible!! I considered jumping off a 12 story building recently and started listening to his music and watching his Videos. His music saved my life. I will never meet you Beck but from all that is in me, thank you!! I will never let the Sun catch me crying again and if I am caught crying it it will be tears of gratitude not sadness.
@getitstandswithukraine6637
So glad that you are still with us Michael! Thanks for sharing your experience with becks music :) I agree he is great and so diverse!
@joaquinarturodolerarosa
hope you doing well :)!
@drewcamero1489
Hey MB, stick around for the third act. You'll be glad you did.
@user-ju6zx3rm8d
wow, that's a great post. thanks for your story, and glad you found Beck
@robbiesilverwolf
He reminds me of the talking heads
@NikCarterNYC
One of my fave Beck songs, you can never pin down that dudes style, he's all over the place, one day he's Dylan, next day he's Prince. He's beyond bad ass.