Living Dead
Marina and the daimonds Lyrics


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Everyday I feel the same
Stuck and I could never change
Sucked into a black balloon
Spat into an empty room

Was it really worth it?
Did I really deserve it?
It happens when you're hurtin'
And cut me at the surface of my heart
Of my heart

I'm living dead, dead, dead, dead
Only alive, live, live, live
When I pretend, tend, tend, tend
That I have died, died, died, died, died, died

I haven't lived life, I haven't lived love
Just bird's-eye view from the sky above
I'm dead, dead, dead, dead
I'm living dead, dead, dead, dead
Dead

Got bubble wrap around my heart
Waiting for my life to start
But everyday it never comes
Permanently at square one

When it's late at night
I'm so dissatisfied
The weight of an empty life
Will lessen in the moonlight
In the light
In the light, light, light

I'm living dead, dead, dead, dead
Only alive, live, live, live
When I pretend, tend, tend, tend
That I have died, died, died, died, died, died

I haven't lived life, I haven't lived love
Just bird's-eye view from the sky above
I'm dead, dead, dead, dead
I'm living dead, dead, dead, dead
Dead

I lay back in a glittering mist, and I
I think of all the men I, I could've kissed
I haven't lived my life, I haven't lived love
It's just a bird's-eye view from, from up above

I'm living dead, dead, dead, dead
Only alive, live, live, live
When I pretend, tend, tend, tend
That I have died, died, died, died, died, died

I haven't lived life, I haven't lived love
Just bird's-eye view from the sky above
I'm dead, dead, dead, dead
I'm living dead, dead, dead, dead
Dead

Dead, dead, dead, dead
Only alive, live, live, live
I'm living dead, dead, dead, dead
Only alive, live, live, live
I'm living dead, dead, dead, dead
Only alive, live, live, live
I'm living dead, dead, dead, dead




I'm living dead, dead, dead, dead
Dead

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Marina and the Diamonds's "Living Dead" speak to the feelings of emptiness and dissatisfaction that can accompany a stagnant or unfulfilling existence. The singer of the song feels stuck in a cycle of sameness, unable to change or break free from the monotony. The metaphor of being "sucked into a black balloon" and "spat into an empty room" suggests a sense of isolation and hopelessness. The chorus captures the idea of existing without truly living, and the feeling of being "living dead." The singer can only feel alive when pretending to have died, which is a poignant commentary on the impact of depression and mental health struggles.


The idea of feeling like a "living dead" is something that resonates with many listeners, making the song a relatable and emotionally impactful track. Marina's use of imagery, such as being wrapped in bubble wrap or looking down on one's life from above, adds to the song's dreamlike, dissociative tone. The final verse, which touches on missed opportunities and the regret that comes with them, adds another layer to the song's emotional impact.


Line by Line Meaning

Everyday I feel the same
Every day I experience the exact similar emotions and thoughts.


Stuck and I could never change
I'm trapped in my current state of mind and I can never change it.


Sucked into a black balloon
I feel trapped in a colorless, soundless, and lifeless and emotionless situation.


Spat into an empty room
My life feels meaningless and alone amidst a vast and empty space.


Was it really worth it?
Was the struggles and hardships that I faced, worth it?


Did I really deserve it?
Do I really deserve the life that I currently have?


It happens when you're hurtin'
People feel this way when they are hurt, depressed or anxious.


And cut me at the surface of my heart of my heart
People's negative emotional state impairs their self-esteem and emotional well-being.


I'm living dead, dead, dead, dead
I'm alive, but I lack passion, purpose, and enthusiasm for life.


Only alive, live, live, live
I only feel that I'm living when I engage in superficial and pretend activities.


When I pretend, tend, tend, tend
When I pretend everything is alright, I feel like I'm taking care of myself.


That I have died, died, died, died, died, died
I feel like I have already died even though I'm alive.


I haven't lived life, I haven't lived love
I haven't experienced life and love in a fulfilling way.


Just bird's-eye view from the sky above
I'm detached from my life, observing it as an outsider; being alive but not living.


Got bubble wrap around my heart
I'm protecting myself from any hurt by building a tough exterior and concealing my true emotions and self.


Waiting for my life to start
I'm waiting to be inspired, to find passion and purpose before I begin living.


But everyday it never comes
I'm still waiting even though every day that I wait, I feel more dead and less alive.


Permanently at square one
I'm stuck in the same emotional and mental state, unable to progress or move forward.


When it's late at night
When it's quiet and I'm alone with my thoughts.


I'm so dissatisfied
I'm not satisfied with my life, my relationships, my accomplishments, or myself.


The wait of an empty life
The weight of living an unfulfilled and meaningless life is heavy on me.


Will lessen in the moonlight
I feel some comfort and peace in the beauty and serenity of the nighttime.


In the light
I feel more alive and positive during the day, but my true emotions are still masked.


I lay back in a glittering mist, and I
I'm in a dreamlike state, fantasizing about a more desirable life.


I think of all the men I, I could've kissed
I regret not experiencing more love and relationships in my life.


I haven't lived my life, I haven't lived love
I haven't fully experienced or embraced all that life and love have to offer.


Dead, dead, dead, dead
I feel dead on the inside, void of purpose and passion.


Only alive, live, live, live
I feel alive when I try to convince myself that everything is okay and that I'm living.


I'm living dead, dead, dead, dead
I'm alive, yet emotionally and mentally dead.


Only alive, live, live, live
The only time I feel alive is when I pretend that everything is okay and that I'm living.


I'm living dead, dead, dead, dead
I'm alive, yet I feel like I'm dead.


Dead
I feel emotionally and mentally dead.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Marina Lambrini Diamandis, Greg Kurstin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Super Nova

Lyrics
Everyday I feel the same
Stuck and I could never change
Sucked into a black balloon
Spat into an empty room

Was it really worth it?
Did I really deserve it?
It happens when you're hurtin'
And cut me at the surface of my heart
Of my heart

I'm living dead, dead, dead, dead
Only alive, live, live, live
When I pretend, tend, tend, tend
That I have died, died, died, died, died, died

I haven't lived life, I haven't lived love
Just bird's-eye view from the sky above
I'm dead, dead, dead, dead
I'm living dead, dead, dead, dead
Dead

Got bubble wrap around my heart
Waiting for my life to start
But everyday it never comes
Permanently at square one

When it's late at night
I'm so dissatisfied
The weight of an empty life
Will lessen in the moonlight
In the light
In the light, light, light

I'm living dead, dead, dead, dead
Only alive, live, live, live
When I pretend, tend, tend, tend
That I have died, died, died, died, died, died

I haven't lived life, I haven't lived love
Just bird's-eye view from the sky above
I'm dead, dead, dead, dead
I'm living dead, dead, dead, dead
Dead

I lay back in a glittering mist, and I
I think of all the men I, I could've kissed
I haven't lived my life, I haven't lived love
It's just a bird's-eye view from, from up above

I'm living dead, dead, dead, dead
Only alive, live, live, live
When I pretend, tend, tend, tend
That I have died, died, died, died, died, died

I haven't lived life, I haven't lived love
Just bird's-eye view from the sky above
I'm dead, dead, dead, dead
I'm living dead, dead, dead, dead
Dead

Dead, dead, dead, dead
Only alive, live, live, live
I'm living dead, dead, dead, dead
Only alive, live, live, live
I'm living dead, dead, dead, dead
Only alive, live, live, live
I'm living dead, dead, dead, dead
I'm living dead, dead, dead, dead
Dead



All comments from YouTube:

ZombieXCorn

Deserved to be available world wide 💅🏻

cosmic girl

I had such a strong connection to this song when it was released because the lyrics describes sooo perfectly how I was feeling about my life. It sucks that a considerable time has passed and I still feel the same sometimes. :(

NaTe Garrido

same

vanna mej

I feel you. I’ve been a fan of Marina since 2014 and I feel the same way.

Bella

@cosmic girl hope things are better now 🤍

1 More Replies...

Antonia Desormeaux

Marina is a talented singer, but what impresses me most is that she is intelligent and deep as well as courageous enough to make these her songs, instead of confining herself only to light and shallow, safe themes. Primadonna when she feels like it, but not afraid to take you to the bottom of the ocean of human nature, to view ourselves as Savages. Well fkn done my lovely lady.

Hypnotic Poison

This is, word by word, currently my life and it hurts so bad that I can relate to this song so much. I truly feel I'm not living my life as I should be. I'm just a viewer of it, as it goes by, watching my youth and beauty fade away. I want this to change and I understand I must actively do something in order for it to happen.

Mikann Cookies

OMG ME TOO!

Saeed T.

especially since covid started nothing has felt normal or right

rohan

fun fact: this is the first song marina wrote for electra heart

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