Dead Finks Don't Talk
Brian Eno Lyrics
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Oh naughty sneaky
You're so perceptive and I wonder how you knew.
But these finks don't walk too well
A bad sense of direction
And so they stumble round in threes
Such a strange collection.
Can those poor teeth take so much kicking?
You're always so charming
As you peck your way up there.
And these finks don't dress too well
No discrimination
To be a zombie all the time
Requires such dedication.
Oh please, sir will you let it go by
'Cause I failed both tests with my legs both tied
In my place the stuff is all there
I've been ever so sad for a very long time
My my they wanted the works can you this and that
I never got a letter back
More fool me bless my soul
More fool me bless my soul.
Oh perfect masters
They thrive on disasters
They all look so harmless
Till they find there way up there.
But dead finks don't talk too well
They've got a shaky sense of diction
It's not so much a living hell
It's just a dying fiction.
The song "Dead Finks Don't Talk" by Brian Eno seems to portray a commentary on society's obsession with success, power, and the lengths at which people go to achieve them. The lyrics begin with a description of an individual who is "cheeky", "naughty", and "perceptive", probably referring to someone who is always on the lookout for an opportunity to get ahead, even if it means resorting to underhanded tactics. The next few lines mention the "finks" who don't walk too well and have a bad sense of direction, which could be interpreted as people who lack the necessary skills or talent to succeed but still try to make their way up the ladder.
The next verse describes a "headless chicken" who is "charming" despite taking a lot of punishment from others. This could be a reference to someone who is always trying to please others, even at their own expense. The following lines mention the "finks" who don't dress too well and don't discriminate, indicating that they are willing to do anything to achieve their goals, even if it means sacrificing their own dignity or self-respect. The chorus of the song seems to be a plea to let things go, to accept one's place in life, and to stop trying to impress others.
The final verse of the song introduces the idea of "perfect masters" who thrive on disasters, referring to those who are successful because of the misfortunes of others. The verse ends with a repeat of the idea that "dead finks don't talk too well", which could mean that those who have achieved success through negative means are unable to articulate their thoughts or justify their actions.
Overall, the song seems to be a commentary on the futility of trying to be successful at all costs, and the emptiness that comes with it. The "finks" mentioned in the song are portrayed as characters who are willing to do anything to succeed, but ultimately don't have the necessary skills or talent to do so.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh cheeky cheeky
Addressing someone who has done something mischievous or playful
Oh naughty sneaky
Addressing someone who has done something sly or deceitful
You're so perceptive and I wonder how you knew.
Complimenting someone's ability to understand things well
But these finks don't walk too well
Referring to people who are not skilled or smart
A bad sense of direction
Being directionally challenged
And so they stumble round in threes
Being clumsy and uncoordinated
Such a strange collection.
Describing the group as odd or peculiar
Oh you headless chicken
Addressing someone who is frantic and unorganized
Can those poor teeth take so much kicking?
Questioning if someone can handle being pushed around
You're always so charming
Complimenting someone's pleasing personality
As you peck your way up there.
Describing someone as slowly and steadily making progress
And these finks don't dress too well
Referring to someone who is not fashionable
No discrimination
Not selective in choosing attire
To be a zombie all the time
Being unenthusiastic about life
Requires such dedication.
Taking effort to maintain a lack of interest in life
Oh please, sir will you let it go by
Asking someone to forgive a mistake
'Cause I failed both tests with my legs both tied
Explaining an inability to succeed due to limitations
In my place the stuff is all there
Not being needed or important
I've been ever so sad for a very long time
Having felt depressed for an extended period
My my they wanted the works can you this and that
Describing someone with unrealistic expectations
I never got a letter back
Not receiving feedback or response
More fool me bless my soul
Admitting to making mistakes and feeling regretful
More fool me bless my soul.
Admitting to making mistakes and feeling regretful
Oh perfect masters
Addressing people who seem skilled or accomplished
They thrive on disasters
Thriving on chaos and disruption
They all look so harmless
Appearing to be innocent and unthreatening
Till they find there way up there.
Until they achieve a position of power or prominence
But dead finks don't talk too well
Referring to people who are no longer around to speak or protest
They've got a shaky sense of diction
Having a weak or uncertain way of expressing oneself
It's not so much a living hell
Describing a situation as not being the worst it could be
It's just a dying fiction.
Acknowledging that a situation is not reality and will soon come to an end
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRIAN ENO, PAUL THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind