Rocking Horse
The_Dead_Weather Lyrics
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Shook evil hands
I've done some bad things
And they get easier to do
Then I wrote a nasty letter
And I sent it to the Lord
I said don't you dare come
I had a good friend
I could only destroy
And lovers I loved less
Than anybody could afford
Yes but this old rocking horse
Just nods his head
And he's gonna rock back and forth
The way that he always did
Baby don't you bother
Tasting the water
And, baby don't you bother
Coming closer to me
Yes when you see my eyes?
They're half the size
And I'm not able
To look at you
No, no, oh oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh,
Oh, oh, oh oh
The Dead Weather's song Rocking Horse is a reflection on the singer's personal struggles and bad decisions that led them to where they are today. With lines like "I drank some dirty water" and "shook evil hands," the song suggests that the singer has been involved in unsavory activities that may have tainted their soul. They admit to having done some bad things, and even worse, these actions have become easier to do with time. The singer also speaks of a friend they have destroyed and relationships they have been unable to maintain, suggesting that their actions have had negative consequences on those around them.
The second verse reveals that the singer has written a letter to the Lord, saying they do not want to be bothered by Him anymore. This could be interpreted in a few ways, but it seems that the singer may be coming to terms with their actions and feeling unworthy of God's love and forgiveness. In the chorus, the rocking horse serves as a metaphor for the singer's present situation. They may feel stuck, unable to move forward from their mistakes and the consequences that have come with them. The song ends with the singer's inability to look the person they're singing to in the eyes, perhaps due to shame or guilt over their past actions.
Line by Line Meaning
I drank some dirty water
I have indulged in things that are not healthy or good for me.
Shook evil hands
I have been in the company of bad people and made questionable decisions.
I've done some bad things
I have committed acts that could be considered immoral or wrong.
And they get easier to do
As I continue to make these bad decisions, they become more natural and almost routine.
Then I wrote a nasty letter
In my anger and frustration, I lashed out and expressed myself in a negative way.
And I sent it to the Lord
I directed my anger towards someone/something that is supposed to represent a higher power or morality.
I said don't you dare come
I demanded that this higher power stay away from me because of my current state.
And bother me no more
I want to be left alone to continue my bad behavior without any judgement or intervention.
I had a good friend
There was someone in my life who was once important to me.
I could only destroy
Unfortunately, I caused harm to this friend and any relationship we had because of my own faults and shortcomings.
And lovers I loved less
I did not properly appreciate or value those I was romantically involved with.
Than anybody could afford
My behavior towards my loved ones was unacceptable and even hurtful beyond what is considered reasonable or acceptable.
Yes but this old rocking horse
Despite all of this negative behavior, this inanimate object remains static and unmoved.
Just nods his head
The rocking horse does not judge or react to my actions, but simply continues to rock back and forth as it always has.
And he's gonna rock back and forth
This pattern of behavior is constant and unchanging, even in the face of everything else that is happening around it.
Baby don't you bother
I am warning my loved one not to try to get too close or be too involved in my current situation.
Tasting the water
They should not involve themselves in the negative things I am doing for their own wellbeing and safety.
Coming closer to me
They should not try to help or intervene in any way because of the danger and negativity surrounding me.
Yes when you see my eyes?
When someone looks into my eyes,
They're half the size
They will notice that my pupils have become dilated, which is often a sign of drug use or excessive drinking.
And I'm not able
I am physically incapable
To look at you
Of maintaining eye contact or being fully present in the moment.
No, no, oh oh, oh
I am expressing my discomfort and disconnection from reality.
Oh, oh, oh,
Oh, oh, oh oh
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: ALISON MOSSHART, JACK WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind