Jeremy Messersmith is an American indie pop musician, based in Minneapolis.… Read Full Bio ↴Jeremy Messersmith is an American indie pop musician, based in Minneapolis.

Messersmith is not only a musician is half-truth, but also a storyteller. His first full-length release The Alcatraz Kid is a moving collection of acoustic-driven lullabies with titles like “Novocain” and “Beautiful Children” that innocently question the purpose of things to come. The integrity of these delicate songs immediately struck a chord with critics and fans alike, and captured the attention of Semisonic’s Dan Wilson, who offered to produce Messersmith’s follow-up album, The Silver City.

The Silver City was a natural progression in sound and reflection: the compositions grew fuller and more dynamic with a classic-pop feel inspired by the Beach Boys and Beatles: While the topics focused on midlife struggles with tracks like “Dead End Job” and “Miracles.” Local and national attention soon followed with NPR and college stations around the country, followed by U.S. tours and sold-out shows in New York, Chicago and Minneapolis.

The Reluctant Graveyard bookends this trilogy of lifelong (ahem, literary) observations with songs like “Lazy Bones” and “Organ Donor,” and sonically continues on the ’60s chamber pop path Messersmith set out with his sophomore release. He continues to share stages with notables such as Sondre Lechre and The Watson Twins, and has been featured on MTV and Ugly Betty.

Deathbed Salesman
Jeremy Messersmith Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can tell you've got taste
You shouldn't have to settle
You deserve the best
So why not rest in style?
What's that you say? You're feeling fine?
Well, if you want my opinion
In this line of work
It never hurts to plan

This is how it has to end
So love somebody while you can

No, you don't need to pack
You've got a reservation
But you don't have to wait
If you don't want to
And you won't feel a thing
All your friends are there already
Once you're gone
You'll never long to live again

This is how it has to end
So love somebody while you can

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jeremy Messersmith's "Deathbed Salesman" speak about a man who is trying to convince someone that they deserve the best, even in death. The singer, who is likely a salesman for a funeral or burial company, informs the person that they can rest in style and not have to settle for less than they deserve. He encourages them to plan, saying that it never hurts to be prepared, and suggests that they love someone while they still can, as death is inevitable.

The salesman assures the person that they don't need to pack because a reservation has been made for them. He also tells them that they don't need to wait to die, as they won't feel any pain, and all of their friends are already there waiting for them. The song's repeated refrain reminds the listener that this is how it has to end, and encourages them to love somebody while they still have time.

Overall, the song's lyrics reflect upon the inevitability of death and the importance of cherishing the time we have with loved ones. The deathbed salesman serves as a reminder that death is a part of life, and that we should make the most of the time we have before we pass on.

Line by Line Meaning

I can tell you've got taste
I can see that you have good taste in choosing how you want to spend your final moments

You shouldn't have to settle
You shouldn't have to compromise on how you want to leave the world

You deserve the best
You deserve the best final moments that anyone can offer

So why not rest in style?
Why not rest in a way that suits your style and preference?

What's that you say? You're feeling fine?
Even if you're feeling fine, it’s still wise to plan for the inevitable

Well, if you want my opinion
As an experienced deathbed salesman, I strongly recommend you plan ahead for the end

In this line of work
As a deathbed salesman, I've seen it all

It never hurts to plan
It's always better to have a plan for your final moments

No, you don't need to pack
You don't need any possessions to go on this journey

You've got a reservation
You've already booked your passage to the other side

But you don't have to wait
You don't have to wait for it to come – it will arrive when it's time