While at school, Allen featured in a number of school bands, playing drums. On one occasion Jon became the lead singer and realized that he was a natural show off. He later attended the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA) on a songwriting course. Through this he learnt how to become a more self-disciplined writer. After graduating Jon moved to London, after one of his demos received a five-star review in the magazine Making Music. Management offers in London soon followed, prompting Jon to immerse himself in the live music scene and surround himself with like-minded people. Since moving to London, Allen found himself sharing the stage with artists as Emmylou Harris, Mark Knopfler, KT Tunstall and Jose Gonzalez.
After selling more than 20,000 downloads via his website of Going Home Jon is steadily building up a strong and supportive fan base in the UK. In 2009 he released his debut album Dead Mans Suit which featured the singles 'In Your Light', 'Dead Mans Suit', 'When The Morning Comes' and 'Down By The River'.
On May 22nd 2011, Allen released his second album 'Sweet Defeat' through Monologue Records. His first single from the album, 'Joanna' was playlisted on Radio 2.
'Sweet Defeat' was released in the US via OK! Good Records and can be purchased or streamed here:
http://www.okgoodrecords.com/blog/2012/03/13/jon-allen-sweet-defeat/
Dead Man's Suit
Jon Allen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I didn't get no change
I couldn't take it back
For refund or exchange
I thought that it was black
I found out it was blue
Now I'm seeing things
That only dead men do
Well the arms are frayed
And the pocket's burst
Since I got this suit
I got a dead mans curse
Now something's changed
And I can't go back
With this dead mans suit
Still on my back
Well I put it on
I thought that it was silk
It felt so smooth
Like it was lined with milk
Now all I've got
Is this sour taste
Like I've lost something
That can't be replaced
I bought a dead mans suit
I didn't get no change
I couldn't take it back
For refund or exchange
I thought that it was black
I found out it was blue
Now I'm seeing things
That only dead men do
I'm a dead man now
The song "Dead Man's Suit" by Jon Allen is a melancholic ode to a man who has purchased a suit that once belonged to a deceased individual. The lyrics describe the man's regret and sadness over his futile purchase as the suit has a curse on it and has taken over his life. Allen uses vivid imagery to convey the man's experience with the suit, which he thought was black but later found out it was blue, and how it feels like he is seeing and feeling things only dead men do. The song's chorus repeats the lines "I bought a dead man's suit, I didn't get no change, I couldn't take it back for refund or exchange", emphasizing the man's helplessness to change his fate after the purchase.
The song is a commentary on the things we accumulate throughout our lives and how they can take on a life of their own. The dead man's suit in the song represents something the man thought he wanted, but once he had it, he couldn't escape its hold on him. It's a metaphor for how we can be trapped by our own desires and possessions. Jon Allen's powerful utilization of metaphors, dark imagery, and a soulful melody creates an emotional and haunting portrayal of the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
I bought a dead mans suit
I purchased a suit that a deceased person once wore
I didn't get no change
I did not receive any money back from the transaction
I couldn't take it back
I was unable to return the suit
For refund or exchange
I was not offered a refund or an opportunity to swap the item
I thought that it was black
I originally believed the suit was the color black
I found out it was blue
I discovered that the suit was actually blue
Now I'm seeing things
Since wearing the dead man's suit, I am experiencing unusual events
That only dead men do
These occurrences are typically attributed to the deceased
Well the arms are frayed
The sleeves of the jacket are worn and damaged
And the pocket's burst
The pocket of the suit has torn open
Since I got this suit
Ever since I obtained the dead man's suit
I got a dead mans curse
I inherited bad luck or misfortune from the deceased person
Now something's changed
There has been a notable shift or alteration
And I can't go back
I cannot reverse or undo the changes that have occurred
With this dead mans suit
This cursed suit still on my person
Still on my back
I am still wearing the suit, carrying its burden
Well I put it on
I decided to wear the suit
I thought that it was silk
Initially, I believed the fabric was smooth like silk
It felt so smooth
The fabric's texture was pleasing to the touch
Like it was lined with milk
The fabric felt as if it had a creamy layering
Now all I've got
Currently, this is all I possess
Is this sour taste
I am experiencing bitterness or regret
Like I've lost something
It feels as if I have recently been deprived of something valuable
That can't be replaced
This valuable treasure can never be regained
I'm a dead man now
As a result of the curse associated with the suit, I now feel like a deceased person
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
hanzel peeters
I bought a dead mans suit
I didn’t get no change
I couldn’t take it back
For refund or exchange
I thought that it was black
I found out it was blue
Now I’m seeing things
That only dead men do
I’m a dead man now
simply genius lyrics
waadfrelle
Love it! He ended his concert at Pinkpop with it. Love the song, good lines, fun and great music. go Jon!
Mitch Spurlock
heard this on NPR a couple nights ago, this song is so damn catchy and good
capt Midnite
good music, good talent
KostazK
very very very VERY underrated song and artist!
hanzel peeters
I bought a dead mans suit
I didn’t get no change
I couldn’t take it back
For refund or exchange
I thought that it was black
I found out it was blue
Now I’m seeing things
That only dead men do
I’m a dead man now
simply genius lyrics
Jsaint R.I.R
We are all Wearing Em 🙏💚 Exelent Music Sir 💚
Maria Gonzalez Rojo
This is one of the best álbum I came across in my life. And I have just re found it. John. Come to Spain
Thanos Poimen
- Man, I love Bob Dylan but at the same time I am so into Pink Floyd...
- Hey, take the riff from Lucifer Sam and sing along like Dylan. Instant hit!
Nick Poulis
@DrDave953 Hm that about B3 + electric piano sounds to be an interesting thing for experimentation. Also the phasing effect is easy to reproduce. Yet I strongly feel that at 2:57 the B3 is on precussion mode (faster waveform attack) but nothing can be taken for granted. I really enjoy that solo.
Andy Gitarz
Love this vid and of course the song. Like the guy in the grave strumming Lol