Dear Landlord
Joe Cocker Lyrics
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Please don't put a price on my soul
My burden is heavy
My dreams are beyond control
When that steamboat whistle blows
I'm going to give you all I got to give
And I do hope you receive it well
Depending on the way you feel that you live
Dear landlord
Please heed these words that I speak
I know you've suffered much
But in this you are not so unique
All of us, at times we might work too hard
To have it too fast and too much
And anyone can fill his life up
With things he can see but he just cannot touch
Dear landlord
Please don't dismiss my case
I'm not about to argue
I'm not about to move to no other place
Now, each of us has his own special gift
And you know this was meant to be true
And if you don't underestimate me
I won't underestimate you
In Joe Cocker's song "Dear Landlord," the singer addresses his landlord, asking him not to put a price on his soul. The singer complains about his heavy burden and out-of-control dreams, and he tells his landlord that when the steamboat whistle blows, he is going to give him all he has to offer. The singer hopes that the landlord will receive the gift well, but it all depends on the way that he lives.
The singer then tells the landlord to heed his words, stating that he knows the landlord has suffered much but that he is not so unique in his suffering. All of us work too hard at times and accumulate too much, filling our lives with things that we can see but not touch. Then, in the final verse, the singer asks the landlord not to dismiss his case and not to force him to move to a new place. He instead urges the landlord to recognize that each of us has our own unique gift, and if he does not underestimate the singer, the singer will not underestimate him.
The song may be about a literal landlord, but it could also represent larger systems of power in society. The singer might be arguing against the commodification of his soul, the over-accumulation of possessions, or the pressures of capitalism more generally. Through his words, the singer seems to suggest that we should recognize our own gifts and not measure our worth by what we possess, but rather, by the gifts we offer to the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear landlord
Addressing the landlord in a respectful manner, seeking attention
Please don't put a price on my soul
Requesting the landlord to not burden him with unnecessary demands, leaving his soul and inner self untouched by materialism
My burden is heavy
Referencing the difficulties and pressures of life that weigh heavily on him
My dreams are beyond control
Acknowledging his lofty and intangible aspirations that are out of his control to achieve on his own accord
When that steamboat whistle blows
Describing a moment in time when he will give his all in a metaphorical way, when opportunity arises
I'm going to give you all I got to give
Promising to lay everything he has on the line and do his best
And I do hope you receive it well
Expressing hope that the landlord will appreciate and value his efforts
Depending on the way you feel that you live
Noting that the landlord's perspective on life affects how he perceives others and the value he places on them
Please heed these words that I speak
Urging the landlord to listen closely to his message
I know you've suffered much
Acknowledging the landlord's past hardships and tribulations
But in this you are not so unique
Reminding the landlord that everyone undergoes difficult periods of life
All of us, at times we might work too hard
Admitting that he and others may have overworked themselves at times
To have it too fast and too much
Realizing that in the pursuit of materialistic success, individuals may forsake the importance of being present and mindful
And anyone can fill his life up
Acknowledging that a life can be filled with numerous tangible items and possessions
With things he can see but he just cannot touch
Concluding that such things do not bring true fulfillment or happiness
Please don't dismiss my case
Requesting the landlord not to disregard his situation and hear him out
I'm not about to argue
Clarifying that he does not want to bicker or engage in a disagreement
I'm not about to move to no other place
Affirming his desire to remain in his current location
Now, each of us has his own special gift
Recognizing that every individual possesses a unique talent or characteristic that sets them apart
And you know this was meant to be true
Highlighting that this phenomenon is a natural and intended aspect of life
And if you don't underestimate me
Warning the landlord against undervaluing his abilities or potential
I won't underestimate you
Expressing that he will not underestimate the landlord's worth or significance
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind