In 2008 the band won a prestigious Ivor Novello award for ‘People Help The People’, a recognition of Simon Aldred’s evocative songwriting.
The band have supported Amy Winehouse, Doves, crowded house, and Smog
Dead Man's Suit
Cherry Ghost Lyrics
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It was ever in one piece before tonight
Paradise is poison in my veins
Winter runs its fingers through the vapors that remain
Burn your books in the car, fix your eyes on a star
And imagine you can handle the loss
Of a beautiful girl wrapped in black icy curls
[Chorus]
None of these roads ever lead, ever gonna lead to your door
God knows I've been here before and
I don't need no long walk home down a loveless parade
Seems I was born in a dead man's suit
I was born in a dead man's suit
Drunken old Olympian in the blocks
Lousy on the trigger and his eye ain't on the clock
Feed me like a monkey and I'll swing
Deep inside the canopy where fire and ice are king
Burn your books in the car, fix your eyes on a star
And imagine you can handle the loss
Of a beautiful girl wrapped in black icy curls
Though your thoughts are like broken glass dragging you down
[Chorus]
Sister quick pull the cord, there's a horse on the ward
With a mouthful of diamonds for teeth
In a dusty old cape stands a man in its wake
Singing I got a woman that loves like an ocean and
[Chorus]
I was born in a dead man's suit
Under trees that bear no fruit
The lyrics of Cherry Ghost's song Dead Man's Suit are rich with imagery and emotion. The opening lines, "My heart ain't broken 'cause that implies, It was ever in one piece before tonight" reveal a sense of cynicism and world-weariness that continues throughout the song. The singer seems to have experienced many disappointments in love and life, and now finds himself unable to believe in the possibility of happiness or fulfillment.
The repeated lines, "Burn your books in the car, fix your eyes on a star, and imagine you can handle the loss, of a beautiful girl wrapped in black icy curls, though your thoughts are like broken glass dragging you down," highlight the idea of escapism and the power of imagination. The singer wants to believe that he can escape the pain of his broken heart and the disappointments of life by turning his attention towards the stars and by imagining a different reality.
The chorus, "None of these roads ever lead, ever gonna lead to your door, God knows I've been here before and, I don't need no long walk home down a loveless parade" emphasizes the theme of hopelessness and despair. The singer feels trapped and alone, searching for a way out of his pain but unable to find it.
Overall, Dead Man's Suit is a powerful and poignant expression of the emotional struggles and existential crises that many people face in life.
Line by Line Meaning
My heart ain't broken 'cause that implies
My heart was never whole to start with
It was ever in one piece before tonight
I am experiencing pain that has broken my heart
Paradise is poison in my veins
The idea of paradise is detrimental to me
Winter runs its fingers through the vapors that remain
Winter compounds my desolation
Burn your books in the car, fix your eyes on a star
Forget everything you know and focus on one point of hope
And imagine you can handle the loss
Delude yourself into thinking you can cope with the pain
Of a beautiful girl wrapped in black icy curls
The loss of a beautiful girl is suffocating
Though your thoughts are like broken glass dragging you down
Your thoughts are destructive and harmful
None of these roads ever lead, ever gonna lead to your door
None of my actions will lead me to you
God knows I've been here before and
I am not new to this kind of pain
I don't need no long walk home down a loveless parade
I do not want to endure a meaningless journey back to emptiness
Seems I was born in a dead man's suit
I seem to be destined for a life of numbness and despair
Drunken old Olympian in the blocks
A fallen, powerful being ready for action
Lousy on the trigger and his eye ain't on the clock
Unable to execute effectively and indifferent to time
Feed me like a monkey and I'll swing
I am capable of great things if motivated properly
Deep inside the canopy where fire and ice are king
A dark, volatile place where opposing elements collide
Sister quick pull the cord, there's a horse on the ward
Take action immediately, danger is imminent
With a mouthful of diamonds for teeth
A dangerous force is approaching
In a dusty old cape stands a man in its wake
A mysterious, powerful figure awaits
Singing I got a woman that loves like an ocean and
Boasting of a love that is all-consuming
I was born in a dead man's suit
Destined for death and despair
Under trees that bear no fruit
In a barren, fruitless environment
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind