Dead Flowers
Keith Richards/Mick Jagger Lyrics
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Talkin' to some rich folk that you know
Well I hope that you won't see me in my ragged company
You know I could never stand to be alone
Take me down little Susie, take me down
I know you think you're the queen of the underground
And you can send me dead flowers every morning
Send me dead flowers to my wedding
And I won't forget to put roses on your grave
When you're sitting back in your rose pink Cadillac
Making bets on Kentucky Derby Day
Ah, I'll be in my basement room with a needle and a spoon
And another girl to take my pain away
Take me down little Susie, take me down
I know you think you're the queen of the underground
And you can send me dead flowers every morning
Send me dead flowers by the mail
Send me dead flowers to my wedding
And I won't forget to put roses on your grave
Take me down little Susie, won't you take me down
I know you think you're the queen of the underground
And you can send me dead flowers every morning
Send me dead flowers by the U.S. Mail
Send me dead flowers to my wedding
And I won't forget to put roses on your grave
No, I won't forget to put roses on your grave
The song "Dead Flowers" by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger is a melancholic ballad about two contrasting lifestyles: the high society and the underground or low-life society. The lyrics paint the picture of a man who lives a life of misery that comes from his loneliness and drug addiction. He speaks to someone who lives a better life than him, telling them that they won't see him in his pathetic state because he can never stand to be alone. The person he speaks to is comfortably seated in their silk upholstered chair surrounded by rich folks. This stark contrast highlights the divide between the elite and the disadvantaged. The man then asks the person to take him down, probably to the underground, where he feels a sense of belonging that he can't find in the high-life society.
The character "Little Susie" is introduced in the second stanza. She represents someone who thinks she's the queen of the underground, and probably takes part in the same drug culture as the man. The man asks her to send him dead flowers every morning, by mail and even to his wedding. The phrase "dead flowers" is used figuratively, representing the emptiness of his life that makes him feel like he's dead inside even though he's still alive. The song's chorus is repeated three times, and the man says that he won't forget to put roses on Little Susie's grave, highlighting the dangers of the drug culture that leads to death.
Overall, "Dead Flowers" is a song about disconnectedness and melancholy, with vivid imagery that portrays the harsh realities of addiction and social class. It's a reminder of the fragility of life, and the need for connection and empathy.
Line by Line Meaning
Well when you're sitting there in your silk upholstered chair
When you're lounging luxuriously in your cushy armchair
Talkin' to some rich folk that you know
Conversing with your wealthy acquaintances
Well I hope that you won't see me in my ragged company
I hope you don't witness me and my poverty-stricken peers
You know I could never stand to be alone
I can't bear the thought of solitude
Take me down little Susie, take me down
Escort me to a lowly state, Miss Susie
I know you think you're the queen of the underground
I acknowledge that you perceive yourself as being in charge of the shady scene
And you can send me dead flowers every morning
You can dispatch deceased blossoms to me each day
Send me dead flowers by the mail
Send these defunct buds via post
Send me dead flowers to my wedding
Even on my wedding day, I'd welcome this same arrangement
And I won't forget to put roses on your grave
Rest assured, I'll pay my respects to you when the time comes
When you're sitting back in your rose pink Cadillac
When you're comfortably reclining in your flashy car
Making bets on Kentucky Derby Day
Wagering on a horse race
Ah, I'll be in my basement room with a needle and a spoon
Meanwhile, I'll be in my dingy cellar injecting myself with drugs
And another girl to take my pain away
With another companion to ease my discomfort
Take me down little Susie, take me down
Miss Susie, lead me to that destitute state again
I know you think you're the queen of the underground
Once more, I'm cognizant of your perception of dominion over the seedy side of town
And you can send me dead flowers every morning
You may continue to dispatch dead flowers each sunrise
Send me dead flowers by the U.S. Mail
Please use our national postal service to transport your cadaverous flora
Send me dead flowers to my wedding
Even on my wedding day, the same would be appreciated
And I won't forget to put roses on your grave
Again, I will ensure to place roses on your final resting place
No, I won't forget to put roses on your grave
This duty will not slip my mind
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jaggers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind