Deadman
Karnivool Lyrics


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Changing the tone
Changing my mind
Changing the weather

I feel it at first
A blow from the dark
Take it for better
Still I remind myself
How I define myself

Blacker the bruise
Coming up clear
Vow to get better

Blessed with a curse
Hoping not far
The deeper, the better

I needed
I needed to know
I needed
I needed to know, why

Oh no
This can't be happening
Oh no
This can't be happening

Hate
Is a door
A fever burning for more
A red light
In your mind
That I feed on

You must've been so surprised to see
That you were staring back at me
Caught in a web, now
Out on your own
You've got nothing to stay for
Or so you keep saying

This year it's coming
And guess what we're running from
Too late for running
The stitches are coming undone

Grab your belongings
The exit is near
Making your way through
Indecisiveness

I needed
I needed to know
I needed
I needed to know, why

Oh no
This can't be happening
Oh no
This can't be happening

This myth is meant to die
You're coming blind in this madness
I'll bide all of my time for your love
Come on, crooked man you'll die
Like excuses pouring out a child
Sing: "S.O.S. you saint"
But make room for laughter
No man tried here

This water's dark and cold
God's not where you hoped
In this moment come and gone

It's too late, mayday
Call out: "Mayday!"
While I'm still alive
Hey, no matter

I don't want this to end
I don't want this to end
I don't want this to end
I don't think this will end well

Hey
There goes my love again
No-one's
Coming now
Hey
Out on my own again
Fading face
Broken frown

Hey
I guess I'm fucked up again
No-one
Will find out
Hey
Stare at your feet again
Don't say
You don't know

This water's dark and cold
God's not where you hoped
In this moment come and gone
It's time we all moved on
It's time we all moved on
It's time we all moved on

Away!

Still I remind myself
How I define myself
Still I remind myself
(I needed to know)
How I define myself
(I needed to know)
I needed to know
I needed
I needed to know

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

So if you like the sound of
The glass that breaks against the wall
I'd trade it all for several
Pieces of your anger
I am the interest of your heart
Say: "This would wash away"
I'm climbing this rope, I feel God




Would I care to stare you down?
I portray you in different light

Overall Meaning

The song Deadman by Karnivool is a complex and introspective piece that reflects on the personal journey of the singer as they navigate the twisting path of their own existence. The lyrics speak of shifting perspectives, changing conditions, and the inescapable nature of fate. The opening lines set the tone, with the singer acknowledging the fluidity of their mindset and environment, as though both were subject to uncontrollable forces.


The themes of self-reflection and self-doubt dominate the song, with the singer expressing a need to define themselves in the face of an uncertain future. The chorus is a repetition of the lines "I needed to know, why/Oh no, this can't be happening", which suggest a sense of desperation and urgency. The emotions expressed are raw and unguarded, with the singer grappling with feelings of helplessness and confusion. The use of metaphor and symbolism add depth and complexity to the lyrics, with references to bruises, webs, and darkness alluding to the pain and damage caused by life's hardships.


One of the key strengths of the song is its use of vivid imagery and poetic language. The imagery is often dark and intense, reflecting the singer's inner turmoil and apprehension. The references to hate, burning fever, and red lights all highlight the idea of danger lurking just beneath the surface. The song also displays a great deal of musical nuance, with the instruments and vocals complementing each other to create a rich and textured soundscape.


Line by Line Meaning

Changing the tone
Shifting the mood


Changing my mind
Altering my perspective


Changing the weather
Manipulating the atmosphere


I feel it at first
I sense something initially


A blow from the dark
A hit from the unknown


Take it for better
Accept it for improvement


Still I remind myself
I continue to recall


How I define myself
What makes me who I am


Blacker the bruise
The darker the mark


Coming up clear
Becoming more evident


Vow to get better
Pledge to improve


Blessed with a curse
Favored with a burden


Hoping not far
Anticipating with nothing far away


The deeper, the better
The more challenging, the more rewarding


I needed
I had to have it


I needed to know
I desired to understand


This can't be happening
I can't believe this is occurring


Hate
Intense dislike


Is a door
Serves as a gateway


A fever burning for more
A passion for increasing intensity


A red light
A warning sign


In your mind
Internalized


That I feed on
That sustains me


You must've been so surprised to see
You didn't expect to see


That you were staring back at me
I was the reflection you saw


Caught in a web, now
Trapped in a situation


Out on your own
All alone


You've got nothing to stay for
No reason to remain


Or so you keep saying
At least that's what you claim


This year it's coming
It's approaching this year


And guess what we're running from
We're trying to escape


Too late for running
Escaping is no longer an option


The stitches are coming undone
The repairs are failing


Grab your belongings
Take your possessions


The exit is near
The way out is close


Making your way through
Navigating through


Indecisiveness
The inability to make a decision


This myth is meant to die
This fiction has to come to an end


You're coming blind in this madness
You're approaching this chaos without foresight


I'll bide all of my time for your love
I'll wait endlessly for your affection


Come on, crooked man you'll die
You'll perish, devious person


Like excuses pouring out a child
Like justifications from an immature person


Sing: "S.O.S. you saint"
Sing a cry for help


But make room for laughter
Do not forget to find humor


No man tried here
No one attempted to help


This water's dark and cold
This liquid is murky and chilly


God's not where you hoped
The divine being is not present


In this moment come and gone
This fleeting instant


It's too late, mayday
It's too late, an emergency signal


Call out: "Mayday!"
Yell for help


While I'm still alive
While I'm still breathing


I don't want this to end
I dread the conclusion


I don't think this will end well
I have doubts it will finish positively


There goes my love again
My adoration is disappearing


No-one's coming now
Nobody is coming to assist


Out on my own again
Back to being alone


Fading face
Disappearing expression


Broken frown
Cracked scowl


I guess I'm fucked up again
I must be messed up once again


No-one will find out
Nobody will discover


Stare at your feet again
Glare downward once more


Don't say you don't know
Don't deny understanding


It's time we all moved on
We all need to advance


Away!
Leave!


(I needed to know)
(I had to have it)


(I needed to know)
(I had to understand)


Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Vocalization


So if you like the sound of
If you appreciate the noise of


The glass that breaks against the wall
Shattering glass hitting the wall


I'd trade it all for several
I would surrender all of it for numerous


Pieces of your anger
Parts of your fury


I am the interest of your heart
I am the focus of your affection


Say: "This would wash away"
Declare: "This would disappear"


I'm climbing this rope, I feel God
Ascending with this rope, I sense a divine being


Would I care to stare you down?
Do I agree to confront you?


I portray you in different light
I depict you in a contrasting manner




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDREW GODDARD, IAN KENNY, JONATHAN STOCKMAN, MARK HOSKING, STEPHEN JUDD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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