Dead Flowers
Earle Steve & The Dukes Lyrics


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Well, when you're sitting there
In your silk upholstered chair
Talking to some rich folk that you know
Well, I hope you won't see me
In my ragged company
You know I could never be alone

Take me down, little Susie, take me down
I know you think you're the queen of the underground
And you can send me dead flowers every morning
Send me dead flowers by the mail
Send me dead flowers to my wedding
And I won't forget to put roses on your grave

Well, when you're sitting back
In your rose pink Cadillac
Making bets on Kentucky Derby Day
I'll be in my basement room
With a needle and a spoon
And another girl to take my pain away

Take me down, little Susie, take me down
I know you think you're the queen of the underground
And you can send me dead flowers every morning
Send me dead flowers by the mail
Send me dead flowers to my wedding
And I won't forget to put roses on your grave

Take me down, little Susie, take me down
I know you think you're the queen of the underground
And you can send me dead flowers every morning
Send me dead flowers by the US mail
Say it with dead flowers at my wedding




And I won't forget to put roses on your grave
No, I won't forget to put roses on your grave

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Steve Earle & The Dukes' song "Dead Flowers" highlight the stark differences between two individuals - one is rich, privileged and living a lavish life, while the other person is struggling to make ends meet and is seeking solace in drugs. The first person is shown sitting in a silk upholstered chair, surrounded by wealthy acquaintances, whereas the second person exists in a state of utter destitution. The singer expresses a desire that the first person never sees them in their current state, as the two lives are worlds apart.


The chorus of the song features a woman called Susie, who is portrayed as the queen of the underground. The singer implores her to take them down, referring to the life of poverty and addiction that they are trapped in. The imagery of dead flowers is used to illustrate the hopelessness and bleakness of the singer's existence. The flowers that are sent to them are not fresh and vibrant, but dead and withered. The lyrics also suggest an underlying desire for revenge as the singer promises to put roses on Susie's grave.


Overall, "Dead Flowers" is a song about desperation and the stark contrast between the lives of two people. It is a dark and haunting portrayal of the underbelly of society and the lengths that people will go to in order to escape their painful realities.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, when you're sitting there
When you are comfortably seated and feeling good about yourself


In your silk upholstered chair
Relaxed and feeling posh


Talking to some rich folk that you know
Communicating with wealthy associates


Well, I hope you won't see me
I hope to avoid being seen by you


In my ragged company
In the company of impoverished individuals


You know I could never be alone
I always have my fellow destitute companions with me


Take me down, little Susie, take me down
Lead me to a rougher lifestyle, Susie


I know you think you're the queen of the underground
You may believe yourself to be the ruler of the counterculture scene


And you can send me dead flowers every morning
Feel free to send me flowers that are already deceased on a daily basis


Send me dead flowers by the mail
Deliver the dead blooms through the postal service


Send me dead flowers to my wedding
Use these expired blooms as a gift for my nuptials


And I won't forget to put roses on your grave
I will remember to adorn your grave with roses


Well, when you're sitting back
When you are relaxing in luxury


In your rose pink Cadillac
Cruising in your magnificent pink vehicle


Making bets on Kentucky Derby Day
Engaging in horse racing wagers on Derby Day


I'll be in my basement room
I will be in the cellar of my dwelling


With a needle and a spoon
Using a needle and spoon to indulge in drug abuse


And another girl to take my pain away
I have a different woman to help relieve my suffering


Say it with dead flowers at my wedding
Use dead flowers to express your feelings at my marriage ceremony


And I won't forget to put roses on your grave
I won't fail to place roses on your final resting place




Lyrics © Abkco Music, Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jaggers

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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