Deadbeat
Between You & Me Lyrics

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Born of a woman, raised by a machine
I spent my whole damn youth in front of TV screens
While you got drunk, fooled around on mom
And we were glad when you were gone
Now you walk back into my life
With your brand-new kids and your brand-new wife
You're still a deadbeat but I wish instead
That you were just plain dead

Why did you desert me?
Leaving mom to support me
Say that you wanna be my friend
'Cause the step you're at says that you should make amends

You're a deadbeat, deadbeat, deadbeat dad
Deadbeat, deadbeat, deadbeat dad
Deadbeat, deadbeat, deadbeat dad
You're a deadbeat, deadbeat dad

Deadbeat, deadbeat, deadbeat dad
Deadbeat, deadbeat, deadbeat dad

Deadbeat, deadbeat, deadbeat dad
You're a deadbeat, deadbeat dad

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Deadbeat" by Between You & Me address the complex and painful emotions that arise from growing up with an absent father figure. The opening lines, "Born of a woman, raised by a machine, I spent my whole damn youth in front of TV screens," set the stage for the singer's bleak and lonely childhood. The phrase "raised by a machine" metaphorically suggests that the absence of a father made the singer reliant on technology and escapism to fill the void.

The song further highlights the resentment and bitterness the singer feels towards their father, who abandoned their family and now tries to re-enter their life. The mention of the father getting drunk and being unfaithful to the singer's mother implies a lack of responsibility and commitment. When the father reappears with a new family, the singer sarcastically comments on the father's role as a "deadbeat," someone who neglects their parental duties.

The chorus continues to emphasize the singer's feelings of abandonment and anger towards their father. The repetition of the phrase "deadbeat dad" serves as a cathartic release of pent-up frustration and disappointment. The longing for the father to be "just plain dead" suggests the depth of pain and desire for closure that the singer experiences.

Overall, "Deadbeat" delves into the emotional complexities of growing up without a father figure and the lasting effects it can have on a person's sense of self-worth and relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

Born of a woman, raised by a machine
I was brought into this world by a mother, but she was left alone to take care of me as you were absent and emotionally unavailable.

I spent my whole damn youth in front of TV screens
I had to find solace in television because I lacked a proper father figure to guide and nurture me.

While you got drunk, fooled around on mom
While you were busy indulging in alcohol and being unfaithful to mom, I was left to witness the pain and chaos it caused.

And we were glad when you were gone
Your absence brought a sense of relief and stability to our lives, as it meant escaping the negative influence you had on us.

Now you walk back into my life
After being absent for so long, you suddenly reappear in my life.

With your brand-new kids and your brand-new wife
You have moved on, starting a new family with new children and a new wife, while neglecting the responsibilities you left behind.

You're still a deadbeat but I wish instead
Despite your return, you continue to be an irresponsible and neglectful father, causing me to harbor resentment towards you.

That you were just plain dead
Instead of existing in my life as a constant reminder of your shortcomings, I would rather you not be alive at all.

Why did you desert me?
Why did you abandon me and leave me feeling abandoned and unsupported?

Leaving mom to support me
You left the burden of providing for me solely on my mother's shoulders.

Say that you wanna be my friend
You claim that you want to establish a friendly relationship with me now.

'Cause the step you're at says that you should make amends
You believe that it is appropriate for you to reconcile with me because it is the right step to take.

You're a deadbeat, deadbeat, deadbeat dad
You are a negligent and irresponsible father, continuously failing to fulfill your parental duties.

Deadbeat, deadbeat, deadbeat dad
You are a deadbeat father, constantly neglecting and letting down your responsibilities.

Deadbeat, deadbeat, deadbeat dad
You continue to be a deadbeat dad, displaying a consistent pattern of irresponsibility and neglect towards your role as a father.

You're a deadbeat, deadbeat dad
You are simply a deadbeat dad, failing to live up to the expectations and responsibilities of being a father.

Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Chris Baltrus, Matt Kurz

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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