Scared Of Chaka released a number of full lengths, 7" EPs, and split records throughout their career for labels like 702 Records, Empty Records, Dirtnap Records and Hopeless Records spin off Sub City Records. With the release of 2001's Crossing with Switchblades the band called it quits. David Hernandez now plays bass for The Shins.
Dead Afterwards
Scared Of Chaka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've found out your alibi is crystal clear
No one understands and no one says a thing
Shake your dumb and lock you in a soothing green
There's no way they'll know when you're dead
City bus and angel dust the king is dead
Out of sight and out of mind your job is done
All alone and drunk and shouting with a gun
You're the one who decides how the nights really gonna end
Six o'clock on the dot when they stop and you knock on your stupid friend
The lyrics of Scared Of Chaka's song Dead Afterwards depict a person who is experiencing intense feelings of alienation and detachment from the world around them. The opening lines, "Joking 'bout the way that no one needs to hear" suggest that this person is struggling to communicate their feelings to others and may even feel that their experiences are not important enough to be heard. As the song progresses, we see that this person has become disillusioned with society and is contemplating suicide, as represented by the line "There's no way they'll know when you're dead".
The second verse of the song takes on a darker tone, as the person seems to be contemplating violence as a way to deal with their pain. The reference to "angel dust" suggests drug use and the line "All alone and drunk and shouting with a gun" paints a disturbing picture. The final lines of the verse, "You're the one who decides how the nights really gonna end / Six o'clock on the dot when they stop and you knock on your stupid friend" suggest that this person may be planning to take out their feelings on someone else.
Overall, the lyrics of Dead Afterwards paint a bleak picture of a person who feels completely disconnected from the world around them and is struggling to find meaning and purpose in their life. Whether this person ultimately chooses to take their own life or lash out at others remains unclear, but the underlying message is that untreated emotional pain can lead to dangerous and destructive behavior.
Line by Line Meaning
Joking 'bout the way that no one needs to hear
Making light of a serious situation, while no one wants to hear or deal with it.
You've found out your alibi is crystal clear
You've discovered that your excuse for your actions is believable and difficult to disprove.
No one understands and no one says a thing
You feel no one can relate to or comprehend your situation, and no one will speak up or help you.
Shake your dumb and lock you in a soothing green
You try to shake off your confusion and anxiety, and block out reality by getting high or drunk.
There's no way they'll know when you're dead
You feel like no one will notice or care when you're gone, and you may even contemplate suicide.
City bus and angel dust the king is dead
Your environment and drug use contribute to your distorted perception of reality, leading you to believe that someone in power or control is no longer alive.
Swarming blackness coming like a burning bed
A sense of doom or darkness is rapidly closing in on you, overwhelming you like fire or suffocation.
Out of sight and out of mind your job is done
You're trying to escape your problems and responsibilities by avoiding them, but deep down you know you're not solving anything.
All alone and drunk and shouting with a gun
You feel isolated, intoxicated, and angry, to the point of acting out violently with a weapon.
You're the one who decides how the nights really gonna end
You have the power to control your own destiny and make choices that affect your own life, even if they may have negative consequences.
Six o'clock on the dot when they stop and you knock on your stupid friend
You may cling to people in your life who you feel are not helping or supporting you, while pushing away those who care about you most.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BigSkySubRosa
Thanks for the feedback- I'm glad to finally be able to spread this around. ...Kinda surprised it wasn't on youtube already! I just uploaded some more lesser-heard Scared of Chaka stuff, check it out when you get the time. (Do It Again! Holy shit!)
Who Are You? Suka!
Saw them play with dillinger 4 and the explosion, they headlined. This was in 97 or 98
cheng
holy shit this is amazing
Matt Dobbins
THANK YOU so much for uploading this. God Damn Fuck Yes.
louis cypher
I believe when the Turbonegro cameo is back when they did a few shows with them in Norway. This is also, according to them, when they had some of their equipment stolen. I remember them being all excited showing me the latest Turbonegro record, which at the time was Apocalypse Dudes.
Judd Irish Bradley
This is sooo Good! Thank you
e
yes! thanks for the upload!
Brent Lohr
BigSkySubRosa, YOU are my hero. Thank you!
Blonie AMW
"I MUST R-O-C A-L-L D-A-Y!" INDEED!!!!
El Gato Feo 2020
May Fav Cousin Yanul!!!!