The Dandy Warhols are strongly influenced by The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Velvet Underground, The Beach Boys, Simon and Garfunkel, The Beatles, The Shadows and The Rolling Stones. They also include implicit musical references to My Bloody Valentine in some songs. Frontman Courtney Taylor-Taylor describes the band's beginning as a group of friends who "needed music to drink to".
Godless
The Dandy Warhols Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It seems like you're a soulless friend
As thoughtless as you were back then
I swear that you are godless
Hey, I guess you're lonely when
I gave you all it took so then
Stranger than it's ever been
Oh wait, it seems, that lonely I will be
I beg, I plead, but this is all that I have gotten
Hey, as for the day my friend
To hope that you could ever bend
I swear you are, I swear you are
Oh, I swear that you are godless
Hey, I said you're godless man
Hey, and you're a soulless friend
Hey, I said you're thoughtless
And I swear, I swear
You're godless, you're godless
God, you're godless
The Dandy Warhols's song Godless is a commentary on the loss of spirituality and morality in contemporary society. The lyrics suggest that people have become disconnected from their faith and higher purpose, instead, pursuing selfish desires at the expense of others. The song presents a harsh criticism of those who have abandoned their beliefs and values, describing them as soulless, thoughtless, and godless.
In the first stanza, the singer accuses the subject of being godless and soulless, indicating that they lack a connection to anything greater than themselves. The repetition of the word "godless" emphasizes the severity of this accusation and reinforces the idea that the subject is morally bankrupt. The second stanza describes the singer's attempt to reach out to the subject and offer them support, only to be rejected and left feeling lonely. The third stanza repeats the accusation of godlessness, but this time with a sense of resignation and finality.
The song's title "Godless" speaks to what the band sees as society's abandonment of religious belief or a sense of a higher power, which has left people with an absence of morality and purpose. The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and despair at this loss of spirituality and suggest that it has led people to become more selfish and callous. The repetitive use of "Hey" throughout the chorus gives the song a confrontational tone, emphasizing the singer's efforts to call out the subject's godlessness.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, I said you're godless and
I am accusing you of lacking any belief in a higher power or moral code, and furthermore...
It seems like you're a soulless friend
...you also lack any sense of empathy or compassion as a human being, especially when it comes to our friendship.
As thoughtless as you were back then
You continue to be just as inconsiderate and uncaring as the last time we interacted.
I swear that you are godless
I am reinforcing my belief that you have a complete disregard for any kind of spiritual or ethical principles.
Hey, I guess you're lonely when
I am acknowledging that, despite your apparent lack of emotions or compassion, you are still capable of feeling isolated and alone.
I gave you all it took so then
I provided you with everything and anything that I had to offer, but it wasn't enough for you to...
Stranger than it's ever been
...return the favor or act as anything other than a distant stranger.
I guess, it's what you wanted
I am speculating that this is how you prefer to live your life and interact with others, despite the negative impact it has on those around you.
Oh wait, it seems, that lonely I will be
I am realizing that your cold, uncaring nature means that I am likely to be alone and unsupported if I continue to associate with you.
I beg, I plead, but this is all that I have gotten
Despite my attempts to appeal to your humanity and request a more meaningful friendship, this is the only response or behavior that I have received from you.
Hey, as for the day my friend
When it comes down to it, I am still trying to hold on to the hope that we can ever be true friends...
To hope that you could ever bend
...even though I recognize that it may be impossible for you to change or become more compassionate.
I swear you are, I swear you are
Nonetheless, I am convinced that you are a godless and heartless creature, because...
Oh, I swear that you are godless
...you continue to exhibit behavior that is devoid of any spiritual or ethical principles.
Hey, I said you're godless man
I am making the point again that you are completely lacking in any kind of belief in a higher power or moral code.
Hey, and you're a soulless friend
I am also reiterating that you are incapable of feeling empathy or caring for others, especially our friendship.
Hey, I said you're thoughtless
I am pointing out that your behavior is often rude, inconsiderate, and oblivious to the needs of others.
And I swear, I swear
I am emphasizing the truth of what I am saying, because it is a deeply held belief and my honest assessment of who you are as a person.
You're godless, you're godless
Again, I am making the central point that you are lacking in any kind of spiritual or ethical principles that guide your behavior.
God, you're godless
I am expressing my frustration and outrage at your lack of humanity and disregard for others, which is deeply offensive to me on a personal and moral level.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Courtney Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dougtull4594
The Dandy always makes me simultaneously happy and sad. Their music is the perfect blend of joy and melancholia. I always see the Dandys when they come to town.
@karlmorris-xz6iq
if you like this you might like my brothers music. His name is Stu Morris
@fienvanbrabant747
me too ! grtz from Belgium
@michaelredfearn9125
Super nostalgic
@donaldgallacher6998
They give me what I call 'Buddha tears'...
@brutallyremastered4255
Never thought of their stuff that way: makes sense...
@twiggyh4x
This song makes me feel happy, free, safe, warm, cold, sad, broken, loved, lost, fulfilled and empty all at the same time. It's a good feeling though. Not many songs can do this to you... I am blessed with the Dandy Warhols music being a part of my life.
@kenkovar2647
yep
@bienvenus.n4072
let's say thanks to minor chords hhhhh
@jimmytheradical
The mystery of the kick this song has goes beyond the chords