Dave subsequently penned a couple of tracks on Depeche Mode's next album, the 2005 effort Playing the Angel. The latter half of 2007 saw the release of his second solo LP, Hourglass, which saw a dirtier, more electronic, groove-orientated sound come through in his solo work. It was decided that he would not tour to promote the album's release, instead concentrating on his day job: the recording of the next Depeche Mode effort, Sounds of the Universe released in April 2009. The album sees more of his songs released under the DM brand, as well as a co-write with main songwriter, Martin L. Gore on the B-side Oh Well.
Bottle Living
Dave Gahan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He wears it like a clown
Watch him disappear
I wish he would come down
So call before you drown
I won't always be around
*Living for the bottle
He's living for the bottle*
He's a ship without a sail
He's not listening when you speak
Living for the bottle
He'll be sitting there all week
So call before you drown
I won't always be around
Living for the bottle
Living for the bottle
There's no light on in his eyes
How heavy are the lies
Just jumped right out his skin
He'll take you for a ride
Living for the bottle
Living for the bottle
So call before you drown
I won't always be around
He's a dog without a bite
Still looking for a fight
All in black
He won't be home tonight, yeah
*There's no light on in his eyes
How heavy are the lies
Just jumped right out his skin
He'll take you for a ride
Living for the bottle
He's living for the bottle
I won't always be around
So call before you drown*
The lyrics to Dave Gahan's song "Bottle Living" describe someone who is struggling with an addiction to alcohol as they are "living for the bottle". The persona in the song is portrayed as being lost and disconnected from reality, with no direction in life. Like a king without a crown, he is wearing a façade and is not facing his problems head-on. The second stanza describes the character as being like a ship without a sail, suggesting that they are adrift and going nowhere, and not receptive to anyone's help. The lyric "He's not listening when you speak" highlights this disconnect with those around him, as he prioritizes his addiction over anything and anyone else.
The chorus of the song, in which Gahan repeats "Living for the bottle", further emphasizes how deeply ingrained this addiction has become for the character, bringing to light the difficulties of an addiction in real-life. The persona is portrayed as losing touch with reality and spiraling out of control as the addiction takes over, "There's no light on in his eyes. How heavy are the lies. Just jumped right out his skin. He'll take you for a ride." This verse highlights how the character is no longer himself, with the lies weighing down on him and the addiction taking control.
Overall, Dave Gahan's song "Bottle Living" effectively and poignantly portrays the destructive nature of addiction, its consequences, and how it's possible to lose oneself when consumed by it.
Line by Line Meaning
He's like a king without a crown
He feels important, but has no real authority
He wears it like a clown
He appears foolish to those who know him
Watch him disappear
He has a tendency to avoid responsibility
I wish he would come down
I hope he becomes more grounded and responsible
So call before you drown
Reach out for help before it's too late
I won't always be around
I may not be available to help forever
He's a ship without a sail
He lacks direction and purpose
He's not listening when you speak
He is indifferent to others' opinions or advice
Living for the bottle
He is dependent on alcohol for happiness
He'll be sitting there all week
He will waste time and neglect responsibilities
There's no light on in his eyes
He is emotionally detached and distant
How heavy are the lies
He feels burdened by his own deceptions
Just jumped right out his skin
He is easily agitated and reactive
He'll take you for a ride
He is manipulative and deceitful
He's a dog without a bite
He appears tough, but lacks strength and resolve
Still looking for a fight
He is confrontational and argumentative
All in black
He is mourning or in a dark place emotionally
He won't be home tonight, yeah
He is avoiding responsibility
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVID GAHAN, KNOX CHANDLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Giannola Rachel
He's like a King without a crown
He wears it like a clown
Watch him disappear
I wish he would come down
So call before you drown
I won't always be around
He's a ship without a sail
He's not listening when you speak
Living for the bottle
He'll be sitting there all week
So call before you drown
I won't always be around
Living for the bottle
Living for the bottle
There's no light on in his eyes
How heavy are the lies
Just jumped right out his skin
He'll take you for a ride
Living for the bottle
Living for the bottle
So call before you drown
I won't always be around
He's a dog without a bite
Still looking for a fight
All in black
He won't be home tonight
Tolmalion
Such a underappreciated song!
Hirnlego999
Very underrated song.
Ikigai Sakurai
I love his voice!
Giannola Rachel
He's like a King without a crown
He wears it like a clown
Watch him disappear
I wish he would come down
So call before you drown
I won't always be around
He's a ship without a sail
He's not listening when you speak
Living for the bottle
He'll be sitting there all week
So call before you drown
I won't always be around
Living for the bottle
Living for the bottle
There's no light on in his eyes
How heavy are the lies
Just jumped right out his skin
He'll take you for a ride
Living for the bottle
Living for the bottle
So call before you drown
I won't always be around
He's a dog without a bite
Still looking for a fight
All in black
He won't be home tonight
Steve R
Those lyrics go with my alcoholicm.
kellycol1000
Wow I can imagine Dave collaborating with Muse, how amazing would it sound. Goosebumps everywhere. 😁😊👏🏻
FABIO VERON
Uau! Que massa esse vídeo! É o melhor mesmo!
klistarf
Dave is fuckin' awesome! And so are Depeche Mode! This is so DM. And how can that possibly be a bad thing! Loving this. Nice one, Dave... \m/ (:o)
katherine joaquim
wrong. Depeche mode would never do a song like this. that's why dave went solo for a few years. if you think this is classic Depeche mode, then give me a reference to a song that remotely cases this song. you'll never find it. never come anywhere close. btw dave is talking about martin in this vid
Lone Wolf
starting with "playing the angel" DM albums feature dave songs as well... btw you want songs? in your room, rush, clean