Dead Snares is one of many names used by guitarist/ songwriter Jeffrey Cain… Read Full Bio ↴Dead Snares is one of many names used by guitarist/ songwriter Jeffrey Cain {born Jeffrey Cain Thompson on 19 February, 1972}.
He was/is a member of the rock band Remy Zero who formed in Birmingham, Alabama in the early 90's.
Other releases by Jeffrey Cain include:

Isidore {with Steve Kilbey, vocalist of The Church}
Sleepwell {with artist/percussionist Gregory Slay}
O+S {with Cedric Lemoyne and Orenda Fink of Azure Ray
the theme to Nip/Tuck {with The Engine Room}

"Speak The Language" by Dead Snares
was written and recorded by Jeffrey Cain in Los Angeles, Ca. in 2007. Performed by Cedric Lemoyne, Gregory Slay, Leslie Van Trease, and Jebin Bruni.
The album was mixed by Darrell Thorp {Beck, Air, Radiohead}
The album is currently available on Limited Edition Vinyl.
POPANTIPOP will release digital and cd formats in October 2010.

These Dirty Streets
Dead Snares Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(J. Cain)

Deep in a southern state
Beneath some shady trees
We had to lose our hats
And hang out in the breeze

I never sleep much

I don't have time to rest my head
Worn out my welcome
Now the locals want me dead
{I should have stayed in bed}

The downbeat
The dirty street
Then one day the strangers meet
And heaven is right before your eyes

Down on the ocean floor
You don't have time to think
And if you cannot swim
Well I guess you're gonna sink
Or just drink
Drink
Drink

The downbeat
The dirty street
Then one day the strangers meet
And heaven is right before your eyes

Right before our eyes

Deep in southern state
Beneath some shady trees
We had to lose our hats
And hang out in the breeze

{Would someone get that please}

The downbeat
The dirty streets
Then one day the strangers meet

And heaven is right before your eyes
Heaven, heaven is right before your eyes

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "These Dirty Streets" by Dead Snare narrate the story of the lead singer going on a trip through a southern state. The singer and his group are outdoors in a shady area without their hats and they seem to be restless. The singer mentions his inability to sleep and the locals’ continual hostility towards him which prompts him to wish he had stayed in bed. The chorus of the song emphasizes the theme of the song - although the streets may be dirty and downbeat, one day, suddenly strangers meet, and before your eyes, heaven appears. The song seems to suggest that even in the midst of a difficult and challenging environment, there is always the possibility of encountering something precious and wondrous.

The middle section of the song has an allegory of being beneath the ocean floor, emphasizing the importance of quick decision-making or just let oneself float and drink, which can be interpreted as drinking in the surroundings, embracing the moment instead of succumbing to the challenges.

The song's atmosphere is enhanced by the singer's pensive tone as it exudes a sense of nostalgia and yearning. It illustrates that even in the midst of turbulent surroundings, it is possible to uncover beauty, truth, and depth, which embody the meaning of the song.

Line by Line Meaning

Deep in a southern state
We were located in a southern region.

Beneath some shady trees
We were surrounded by trees that provided shade.

We had to lose our hats
We had to remove our hats due to the heat.

And hang out in the breeze
We relaxed in the cool wind.

I never sleep much
I am constantly awake.

I don't have time to rest my head
I don't have time to rest at all.

Worn out my welcome
I've overstayed my welcome.

Now the locals want me dead
The locals are hostile towards me.

I should have stayed in bed
I should have stayed at home and avoided this situation.

The downbeat
The depressing and monotonous rhythm.

The dirty street
The unclean and unpleasant surroundings.