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The Afterlife
Electric Six Lyrics


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Permanent smiles
Like two reptiles eating flies
Turning up dials
Like audiophiles hearing with their eyes

Reading and writing and ultimate fighting
When you lay down with dogs, you lay with my dogs
Scratching and biting is oh so exciting
When you lay down with dogs, you lay with my dogs

There is no exodus in the afterlife [the afterlife]
There is no point to this in the afterlife [the afterlife]

[Life]
[Music]
[Life]

De-materialize and hide your greatest failing
Open up your eyes and fantasize you're sailing away

Cleaning and scrubbing will greatly improve this
When you lay down with dogs, you lay with my dogs
Bouncing and clubbing’s the new kind of hubris
When you lay down with dogs, you lay with my dogs

There is no consequence in the afterlife [the afterlife]
There is no border fence in the afterlife [the afterlife]
There is no consequence in the afterlife [the afterlife]
There is no border fence in the afterlife [the afterlife]

Overall Meaning

The song The Afterlife by Electric Six showcases the band's unique style of combining catchy pop rock beats with dark and twisted lyrics. The song seems to be exploring the concept of the afterlife, but it is done in a way that is both absurd and humorous. The opening lines of the song describe permanent smiles, which are likened to the way reptiles consume flies. The song then goes on to describe the act of turning up dials, as if one is hearing with their eyes like audiophiles. The lyrics seem to be invoking the sense of the duality of life, where life can be both beautiful and hideous at the same time.


The middle portion of the song seems to suggest that one's actions in life will have consequences even in the afterlife. Lines like "when you lay down with dogs, you lay with my dogs" seem to imply that one's association with others can have implications in life and even in the afterlife. The song suggests that one can hide their "greatest failing" by de-materializing, but ultimately the consequence of their actions will catch up to them. The chorus of the song echoes the futility of the afterlife, where there is no point or consequence to it.


Line by Line Meaning

Permanent smiles
People in the afterlife have permanent smiles on their faces.


Like two reptiles eating flies
These permanent smiles are like those of reptiles consuming flies.


Turning up dials
In the afterlife, people turn up dials to experience more sensations.


Like audiophiles hearing with their eyes
This increase in sensation is similar to audiophiles who experience sound with their eyes closed.


Reading and writing and ultimate fighting
Activities such as reading, writing, and fighting have no importance in the afterlife.


When you lay down with dogs, you lay with my dogs
The phrase 'lay down with dogs' means associating with bad people, and in the afterlife, people will associate with the singer's 'dogs' - i.e., bad people.


Scratching and biting is oh so exciting
Actions that are seen as aggressive or violent in the real world are exciting and encouraged in the afterlife.


There is no exodus in the afterlife [the afterlife]
There is no exit or escape from the afterlife.


There is no point to this in the afterlife [the afterlife]
This life is pointless in comparison to the afterlife.


De-materialize and hide your greatest failing
People can shed their past mistakes and failings by de-materializing them in the afterlife.


Open up your eyes and fantasize you're sailing away
People can create their own reality in the afterlife and escape to a peaceful place by simply imagining it.


Cleaning and scrubbing will greatly improve this
In the afterlife, cleaning and scrubbing have a positive impact on people's lives.


Bouncing and clubbing’s the new kind of hubris
Actions that are seen as arrogant or prideful in the real world are celebrated and praised in the afterlife.


There is no consequence in the afterlife [the afterlife]
There are no repercussions for actions taken in the afterlife.


There is no border fence in the afterlife [the afterlife]
There are no borders or limitations in the afterlife.


[Life]
The song briefly acknowledges that life exists before and after death.


[Music]
The song exists as a form of commentary on the afterlife.


[Life]
The song briefly acknowledges that life exists before and after death.




Contributed by Jacob I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Eelco J. van Kampen

Such a great sounding song. Sounds like classics such as:: The Future Is In The Future, Transatlantic Flight, White Eyes and Synthesizer; just amazing stuff :)

TheUnassembled

Electric Six can sing about anything and make it sound delicious.

Arg0n01

+TheUnassembled Or make a song about nothing and still be entertaining as hell.

Bubberoon

One of my favourites... ❤️

Adolph Oliver Bush

by far my fave on this album

The Great Muchacho

This is the shit. And it need more Recognition.

Des bisous de France !

Podcast Fan

Recognizing? From whom..? They would not get it anyway. You are recognized in this feeling of how significant this song & band is. Guess you & fans of E6 are capable of understanding how significant it is where as many wouldn't understand.

Podcast Fan

Open your eyes...& fantasize your sailing.

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