Beating Like A Drum
Eskimo Joe Lyrics

This room is like the belly of a ghost
The room is empty and lifeless, as if it were haunted by a ghost.

Swaying to the rhythm of a heart that is now lost
The emptiness of the room feels like it is pulsating, almost as if the ghost that haunts it had a beating heart, which is now gone.

So tell me that I'm wrong
The singer is asking for confirmation that they are incorrect about something.

Tell me that there's a consequence
The artist is questioning if there are any repercussions to their actions.

Or do you still remember me alive
The artist is asking if their presence is still remembered after they have departed.

Beating like a drum
The singer is comparing their memory to the sound of a beating drum, alive and vibrant.

I had a lot to drink last night
The singer is admitting that they have been indulging in alcohol recently.

Now I'm feeling old
The artist is experiencing a negative physical response due to their recent alcohol consumption.

Is there anything that I can buy
The artist is asking if there is some sort of material possession that they can acquire to fulfill something they feel is missing.

That I have not sold
The artist is questioning if they have sold out their values or soul for material gain in the past.

Do you still remember me alive
The singer is once again questioning if they are remembered in a positive light when they are not present.

Do you still remember me alive
The artist is asking once again if their memory is still vibrant and present, like a beating drum.

Beating like a...
The singer does not finish the sentence, leaving the listener to imagine and interpret what the drum signifies.

Drum that beats upon the floor
The singer is elaborating on what the drum could be, a percussive instrument that creates vibrations on surfaces.

A shadow underneath the door
The singer is painting a visual of the shadow that the drum creates underneath a closed door, emphasizing the strength and power of the sound.

I don't want to shoot this gun
The artist is admitting to possess or have access to a firearm, but does not want to use it in a violent manner.

But everything just stops
The artist is uncertain about what to do, as if they feel stuck in a situation or have reached a dead end.

Like the beat of a drum
The singer compares their feeling of stuckness to the sudden stop of the sound created by a drumbeat.

So tell me that I'm wrong
The singer is asking for validation that they are incorrect in their thinking.

Tell me that there's a consequence
The artist is uncertain if their actions will yield negative consequences or not, and is seeking assurance one way or another.

Or do you still remember me alive
The artist is asking if they are still present in the minds of others, despite feeling stuck and uncertain themselves.

Beating like a drum
The artist reiterates their earlier comparison of their memory to the beating of a drum, emphasizing its significance and vibrancy.