An in… Read Full Bio ↴A song about the breakdown of a previously happy relationship.
An interesting musical point to note is that the verses are a “false waltz”. They sound like a waltz, but are not in the ¾ time signature required to formally make it one.
Separate and Ever Deadly
The Last Shadow Puppets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the faces seemed to smile back
And now the pavements
Have nothing to offer
And all the faces seem to need a slap
There's an unfamiliar grip
On an unfamiliar handkerchief
I wouldn't notice
With you no matter how vicious the grief
Her expression was damp and crooked
Grabs onto my throat and won't let go
Won't let go
Won't let go
Won't let go
Save me from
The secateurs
I'll pretend
I didn't hear
Can't you see
I'm the ghost in the wrong coat
Biting butter and crumbs
There's a handsome maverick
You don't talk about to keep me calm
And I can't help
But try create a diversion
Pulls you back onto his arm
Please don't tell me
You don't have to darling I can sense
That he painted you a gushing sunset
And slayed
Their angry panthers in your defense
He stands separate and ever deadly
Clings onto my throat and won't let go
Won't let go
Won't let go
Won't let go
Save me from
The secateurs
I'll pretend
I didn't hear
Can't you see
I'm a ghost
In the wrong coat
Biting butter and crumbs
The lyrics in The Last Shadow Puppets’ song “Separate and Ever Deadly” appear to describe a situation in which the singer has lost someone who they used to walk and share the streets with. They speak of a time when their presence was enough to put smiles on other faces, but now that person is gone and the pavement has nothing to offer. The singer laments the lack of familiarity - an unfamiliar grip, an unfamiliar handkerchief, an unfamiliar location. It seems as though he is struggling to move on as the face of his companion is all he sees, even in the company of others.
The maverick in the singer's life becomes an issue for him as he appears to capture the attention of the singer's former companion. The singer tries to distract from the situation but can't avoid feeling jealousy towards the man. The third verse seems to be a mental battle of the singer trying to convince themselves that they can handle the situation midst uninvited thoughts. The line, “Can’t you see I’m the ghost in the wrong coat biting butter and crumbs” suggests that the singer feels like an outsider in this new reality and can't quite find their place, and all their efforts at self deception and distraction become futile, leaving him vulnerable to unhappy thoughts.
Overall, the song seems to be about grief, jealousy, and a sense of displacement, which is exacerbated when one's reality is turned around after losing someone close. The pain becomes unbearable, to the point where it grips onto the throat and won't let go.
Line by Line Meaning
When we walked the streets together
Life felt full of promise when we were together
All the faces seemed to smile back
Our happiness was contagious and everyone seemed joyous
And now the pavements
But now everything seems dull and lifeless
Have nothing to offer
There's nothing exciting or new on the streets anymore
And all the faces seem to need a slap
People don't seem happy anymore and it's frustrating
There's an unfamiliar grip
Something feels off and uncomfortable
On an unfamiliar handkerchief
Trying to hide their tears with a foreign object
Attending to the tears on cheeks
Trying to dampen the sadness on their face
I wouldn't notice
I'm too caught up in grief to notice anything else
With you no matter how vicious the grief
When we were together, even the worst of times were manageable
Her expression was damp and crooked
She looks sad and defeated
Grabs onto my throat and won't let go
The sadness is overwhelming and suffocating
Won't let go
It feels like the grief will never end
Save me from
Help me escape this emotional pain
The secateurs
The things that cut away at us, causing pain and hurt
I'll pretend
Ignoring my problems is easier than facing them
I didn't hear
I'm purposely avoiding the harsh reality
Can't you see
Don't you understand the depth of my pain?
I'm the ghost in the wrong coat
I feel like a stranger in my own skin, like I don't belong
Biting butter and crumbs
Trying to fill the void with something unsatisfying
There's a handsome maverick
There's another man who's mysterious and alluring
You don't talk about to keep me calm
You avoid mentioning him because you know it will upset me
And I can't help
I'm becoming obsessed with him
But try create a diversion
I'm trying to distract myself from my feelings
Pulls you back onto his arm
He's trying to lure you away from me
Please don't tell me
I don't want to hear the truth
You don't have to darling I can sense
I already know that you're drawn to him
That he painted you a gushing sunset
He's offering you a romantic and breathtaking future
And slayed
He's defeated
Their angry panthers in your defense
He's taken down all your obstacles and protected you
He stands separate and ever deadly
He's distant and untouchable
Cling onto my throat and won't let go
His presence is overwhelming and dangerous
Save me from
Help me escape this dangerous situation
The secateurs
The things that are cutting away at our relationship
I'm a ghost
I feel like I'm fading away and losing grip on reality
In the wrong coat
I'm not who I thought I was
Biting butter and crumbs
Trying to fill the void with something unsatisfying
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALEX TURNER, MILES KANE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind