Dressed in Black
Relentless7 Lyrics

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You may be a cheap date
But my therapy's expensive as hell
Then you pay a psychic healer who lets you know
Things aren't really working out so well
Tomorrow's shining off our face
Yesterday's shadow is at our back, at our back
So why must you always dress in black?

People, they don't take advice, they only give it
And the only way you're ever gonna learn is to live it
So what you spent your younger years
Parlaying on the wrong side of the track
Why must you always dress in black?

If you have to lie, do it as quickly
And as thoroughly as you can, as you can
This morning I woke up slow feeling like the shell of a man
Don't blame me for us, you cried!
Oh, cut me some slack (cut me some slack)
And tell me why why must you always dress in black?

She wore high heels, the ones that can pierce your heart, pierce your heart
Just cause you go down in history
Doesn't mean you're really all that smart
Like Robert E. Lee, you're at your best when under attack (under attack)
Why must you always dress in black?

You call in sick on Monday
Tuesday you show up late
Wednesday you left early
Thursday you fight with a boss you hate
Friday you up and quit
Saturday you want your old job back, old job back

Sunday morning you wake up all dressed in black
Why must you always dress in black?

Overall Meaning

In this song, Dressed in Black by Ben Harper and Relentless7, the lyrics talk about the contrast between light and dark, the changing times, and how people cope with stress and disappointment. The first verse talks about the singer's expensive therapy, and how even a psychic healer can't fix everything. The chorus repeats the question, "why must you always dress in black?", referring to someone who seems to only wear black clothes, potentially as a symbol of their sadness or depression.

The second verse starts by saying that people don't take advice, only give it, and that the only way to really learn is through experience. The singer then questions why someone spent their younger years on the wrong side of the track (presumably making questionable choices), and still dresses in black. The third verse lists out the days of the week and how someone is constantly struggling with work, and ends with the question of why they're dressed in black.

Overall, the song seems to be about the struggles of life and how people cope with them. The repeated question of why someone always dresses in black could symbolize a need for change, or a need to let go of the past and move on.

Line by Line Meaning

You may be a cheap date
You might not be very high maintenance

But my therapy's expensive as hell
But I need expensive mental health treatment

Then you pay a psychic healer who lets you know
So you turn to spiritual guidance to fill the void

Things aren't really working out so well
Because life isn't going as planned

Tomorrow's shining off our face
We're optimistic about the future

Yesterday's shadow is at our back, at our back
But we're still haunted by our past

So why must you always dress in black?
Why do you choose to wear dark clothing all the time?

People, they don't take advice, they only give it
Others tend to judge and offer opinions without empathy

And the only way you're ever gonna learn is to live it
Sometimes you need to experience something yourself to truly understand it

So what you spent your younger years
Even if you made mistakes in the past

Parlaying on the wrong side of the track
You were taking risks and living dangerously

Why must you always dress in black?
Why do you still cling to the fashion style of your wild past?

If you have to lie, do it as quickly
If you have to be deceitful, don't let it drag on

And as thoroughly as you can, as you can
Be convincing when you're lying

This morning I woke up slow feeling like the shell of a man
I feel drained and empty today

Don't blame me for us, you cried!
You refused to take responsibility for our problems

Oh, cut me some slack (cut me some slack)
Please give me a break and stop being so critical

And tell me why why must you always dress in black?
And explain why you keep wearing black clothes

She wore high heels, the ones that can pierce your heart, pierce your heart
She was dangerously seductive and alluring

Just cause you go down in history
Even if you're remembered for something significant

Doesn't mean you're really all that smart
It doesn't necessarily make you intelligent or wise

Like Robert E. Lee, you're at your best when under attack (under attack)
You thrive under pressure and adversity

Why must you always dress in black?
Why do you continue to wear dark clothing?

You call in sick on Monday
You start the week with a false excuse

Tuesday you show up late
You're not punctual the next day

Wednesday you left early
You leave work early on Wednesday

Thursday you fight with a boss you hate
You argue with your despised boss on Thursday

Friday you up and quit
You surprisingly resign on Friday

Saturday you want your old job back, old job back
You realize you regret quitting on Saturday

Sunday morning you wake up all dressed in black
You wake up on Sunday wearing your usual black attire

Why must you always dress in black?
Why do you persistently choose dark clothing?

Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: BEN HARPER, JASON MOZERSKY, JESSE INGALLS, JORDAN RICHARDSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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