Rory McKeown on album 'Now Is a Long Time':
"Otzeki - the project of cousins Mike Sharp and Joel Roberts - was born after a semi drunken jam on a partly functioning Yamaha AN200 drum machine and a Fender Jaguar guitar. Taking their name from a misremembered Russian author, their blend of carefully sourced electronics, luscious electric guitar and falsetto vocals has been the longstanding formula of the project which has seen them tour Europe, UK and USA. Vigorously awakening crowds to their contoured sound they are able to create an almost deadly, definitely dangerous live energy..
- The title of electronic-punk duo Otzeki’s new album couldn’t be more pertinent for these strange times.
Inspired by the Truisms of artist Jenny Holzer, the message "Now is a Long Time" was written on a piece of paper and pinned above Mike Sharp’s bed at his Finsbury Park pad as he, along with cousin Joel Roberts, were writing the follow up to 2018’s debut record Binary Childhood.
The message stuck and became the name for album two, culminating in the band spray painting the words across a billboard in Waterloo for its striking album artwork. The statement remained there for four weeks before being painted over.
Mostly written on a laptop on the move, Now is a Long Time saw Otzeki embrace a quicker, more “instantaneous” writing process, resulting in a unique, infectious, and sonically-sprawling electronic effort, including the huge singles Max Wells-Demon and Sweet Sunshine."
ALREADY DEAD
Otzeki Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the place that you expected me to be
in my bed on the second floor
I'm outside your house
I'm closing in on you
and all the times you smiled
you said hello and thought I was ok
I was planning your final struggle
When you wake up I'll be there
when you see me you'll be on your back again
(when you, when you, when you, when you)
know you're already dead
you'll love me too
You will find me here
the place you least expected me to be
breaking through your basement window
I'm outside your room
I can hear you breathe
and all the times you laughed
you shook my hand and thought I was your friend
I was planning your tragic ending
You'll look down on me, with eyes of endless tragedy
try and stop the pain, but there's never closure
find your solace in what you could have been
When they look for me, the evidence is buried deep
try to guide the way into the darkness
Looking down on me through eyes that never stop crying
Looking down on me, will you ever look away?
The lyrics of Otzeki's song "Already Dead" portray a narrative of someone seeking revenge on an individual who they believe has wronged them. The singer is not where the presumed target expects them to be, as they state "You won't find me here, the place that you expected me to be". Instead, the singer is outside their house, observing their every move, and planning their "final struggle" and "tragic ending". The lyrics switch perspectives in the second verse as the singer is now inside their target's home, "breaking through your basement window" and "planning your tragic ending". The target is described as looking down on the singer, with endless tears and tragedy in their eyes, while the singer encourages them to find solace in what could have been.
The lyrics depict a feeling of vengeance and the desire to make someone pay for perceived wrongs. The use of the phrase "already dead" in the chorus may indicate that the singer sees their target as already defeated or doomed, with their fate already sealed. The lyrics also hint at a personal connection between the singer and the target, with lines such as "you shook my hand and thought I was your friend", suggesting a betrayal that has led to the singer's desire for revenge.
Line by Line Meaning
You won't find me here
I am not where you expected me to be
the place that you expected me to be
You had a certain place in mind but I'm not there
in my bed on the second floor
I am not in my usual spot
I'm outside your house
I am outside your home
I'm closing in on you
I am approaching you
and all the times you smiled
Whenever you smiled at me
you said hello and thought I was ok
You greeted me and thought I was doing fine
I was planning your final struggle
I was plotting your ultimate battle
When you wake up I'll be there
I will be there when you wake up
when you see me you'll be on your back again
When you lay eyes on me, you will be powerless
(when you, when you, when you, when you)
Repeating the previous line
know you're already dead
You're already doomed
you'll love me too
You will learn to love me as well
You will find me here
I am actually here
the place you least expected me to be
I'm in the last place you would have thought
breaking through your basement window
I am breaking into your basement
I'm outside your room
I am outside of your bedroom
I can hear you breathe
I can hear you breathing
and all the times you laughed
Whenever you laughed around me
you shook my hand and thought I was your friend
You greeted me warmly and saw me as a friend
I was planning your tragic ending
I was plotting for your tragic demise
You'll look down on me, with eyes of endless tragedy
You will gaze at me with eyes full of grief
try and stop the pain, but there's never closure
You'll try to end the agony, but it can never be over
find your solace in what you could have been
Seek comfort in what you could have become
When they look for me, the evidence is buried deep
If they search for me, the proof is well-hidden
try to guide the way into the darkness
Attempt to lead the way into the abyss
Looking down on me through eyes that never stop crying
Continuously weeping eyes scrutinize me
Looking down on me, will you ever look away?
Will you ever shift your gaze from me?
Contributed by Nicholas K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
otzeki
Already Dead Lyrics
We’re all born in the womb of death
hanging on to our final breath
you can ride that road to heaven
and it’ll hurt like hell
I am the residue
swelling up inside of you
you can try and shoot me down babe
I’m already dead
There are people that believe in truth
who are acting out a lie to you
we all succumb to an unknown fate
did you hear what I said?
I’m already dead
I’m already dead
and this life is but a strangers bed
I’m already dead
I’m already dead
and this life is all in your head
So you you think universal love is mad?
well honey here I am
I’m walking bare foot over broken glass
you’ve got the wrong man
I’m already dead
I’m already dead
and this life is but a strangers bed
I’m already dead
I’m already there
and this lie is but a distant prayer
I’m already dead
I’m already dead
otzeki
Already Dead Lyrics
We’re all born in the womb of death
hanging on to our final breath
you can ride that road to heaven
and it’ll hurt like hell
I am the residue
swelling up inside of you
you can try and shoot me down babe
I’m already dead
There are people that believe in truth
who are acting out a lie to you
we all succumb to an unknown fate
did you hear what I said?
I’m already dead
I’m already dead
and this life is but a strangers bed
I’m already dead
I’m already dead
and this life is all in your head
So you you think universal love is mad?
well honey here I am
I’m walking bare foot over broken glass
you’ve got the wrong man
I’m already dead
I’m already dead
and this life is but a strangers bed
I’m already dead
I’m already there
and this lie is but a distant prayer
I’m already dead
I’m already dead
Rachel MUSIC
My inspiration 💞💞💿💞💞 for my creations 🎧🎤🎸📝📝❤💿❤
Leta Lucy
I have had this song on repeat for two days. And I’m still not sick of it yet. Fuck guys good job. This song is GOOD. Great lyrics too.
Dochbag
the show yesterday was amazing, you both were divine on stage.
just keep on spreeding those perfect vibes, again & again
love from Paris
Jacek Janicki
Great track:) great album which I have on vinyl! There is not too many albums which i like from start till end all tracks. Complete production. I hope you will be famous. Please keep working!
Kurt Thorsten
wow this is a great song, been listening to it for weeks
Léola Tumba
You're simply amazing and your songs are too. Much love from Paris ❣️
otzeki
ah got it ha!
Léola Tumba
Don't worry about that, it's just that I have to go to school the next day and it's my most important year in high school ... I just hope you come back soon to Paris to have the opportunity to see you haha!
otzeki
Ah that's a shame but not to worry. If it's a money thing I'm sure we can put you on the guest list. Otherwise keep an eye on fb for future shows.