DEAD OR ALIVE
Risk Lyrics


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You look out, you see
A man on his knees
Sick of his life
High on crack
Just a wreck dead

You get out, you see
A man's misery
Cracked up his mind
One more mad
One more dead
Dead or alive

Downtown connection
You've got to choose
A deal with hell
Dead or alive

It will burn you out
It wants to smash you down
Caught in trouble, caught in pain
Undercover murderer kills you certainly

Not me, I'll win the fight
Not me, I'll stay alive
Not me, I'll do it right
I can't help myself
Dead or alive
Help me God
Help me please




Help me out
Please don't let me die

Overall Meaning

In the opening lines of Risk's song "Dead or Alive," we are presented with a vivid picture of a man whose life has been destroyed by drug addiction. The lyrics depict him as being on his knees and high on crack, with no hope for the future. The second verse continues this bleak portrayal, as we see a man whose mind has been shattered by addiction, leaving him a wreck and ultimately dead. The chorus repeats the phrase "Dead or alive," creating a sense of urgency and desperation as the singer faces a choice between life and death.


The lyrics suggest that this choice is not an easy one, as the singer is presented with a "deal with hell" when faced with the downtown connection. The song goes on to warn of the dangers of addiction and the toll it can take on one's life. It speaks of being "caught in trouble, caught in pain," and ends with a plea for help from God, as the singer struggles to stay alive in the face of overwhelming circumstances.


Overall, the lyrics of "Dead or Alive" cast a harsh light on the destructive power of addiction, and the difficult choices that those who are struggling with it must face. The song is a powerful warning and a plea for help that speaks to anyone who has been touched by addiction.


Line by Line Meaning

You look out, you see
As you glance around, your attention is drawn towards


A man on his knees
An individual is collapsed on the ground, hunched over


Sick of his life
Desperate and exhausted by existence, ready to escape the pain


High on crack
Drugged up on a potent stimulant known for its intensity and danger


Just a wreck dead
This person is beyond repair, and will soon be gone from the world


You get out, you see
Once you leave your current location, you notice


A man's misery
The sorrowful and painful condition of the same person from earlier


Cracked up his mind
This individual's thoughts have shattered and lost all coherence


One more mad
Another person driven crazy by circumstances


One more dead
Another human being who has succumbed to despair and addiction


Dead or alive
A choice must be made- between life or death, hope or surrender


Downtown connection
The location is an urban city center with its own set of rules and problems


You've got to choose
There's no way to evade the decision you must make


A deal with hell
You are offered a choice that is evil or corrupt


Dead or alive
Once more, the decision is between life and death


It will burn you out
This path of darkness and destruction will slowly destroy your soul


It wants to smash you down
This malevolent force seeks to destroy you entirely, crushing any hope or joy in its wake


Caught in trouble, caught in pain
You are trapped in a cycle of misfortune, caught in a web of suffering


Undercover murderer kills you certainly
The cause of your demise is insidious, hidden beneath the surface


Not me, I'll win the fight
The artist feels confident in their ability to overcome these obstacles


Not me, I'll stay alive
The singer is determined to survive and thrive


Not me, I'll do it right
The individual is resolved to make the right choices and be moral


I can't help myself
Despite their best intentions, the singer feels helpless at times


Dead or alive
Once again, the choice looms


Help me God
The singer appeals to a higher power for support and guidance


Help me please
The individual begs for assistance and relief from their troubles


Help me out
A request for support and aid


Please don't let me die
The singer pleads to survive and overcome the challenges they face




Contributed by Dominic E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Stefan Haga


on Välkommen Hem Till Oss

How can I change the picture and info ? So it is the real Risk and not that German trash band. Risk from Sweden is not risk from Germany .

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