Tonight Only The Dead
Ephemeral Journeys: Embracing Life's Edge in 'Tonight Only The Dead'
Lyrics
The tide turned easy it seemed, and pulled the world from my feet. I got some dollars though, burned the house, and took the gold. It was always women first until the second verse, well you see I had this plan, drive out west with my calendar lass. I know the ocean is cold and everywhere you been there before, and if you would just face the facts, death’s waiting for you and the deck is stacked. She puts those Ray-Bans on, bumps in the car to the radio song, concrete thoughts now a powdered dust to settle like the sun I can feel it come down.
The speaker describes a significant change, possibly in fortune, and a decision to leave, burning a house and taking valuables. Women were a priority until a plan involving a calendar girl emerged.
Tonight only the dead are safe and sound
Emphasizes that safety and security are only for the dead tonight.
Tonight only the dead are safe and sound
Reiterates that safety is exclusive to the deceased for the night.
Take me if you want me you’re allowed.
An invitation or permission to be taken if desired.
Tonight only the dead are safe and sound
Restates the theme that only the dead are safe and sound tonight.
It all came easy it seemed. We never get what we need: Sunsets and liquor fights, your Cadillac driving through the summer night. Blurry and blue eyed in the starlight, you were faking when I came and all these things worth giving up, burn it in your spine you were one of us. I know the wind blows cold and every city looks like your own, you said, “See I have this plan, leave and love every town with a gun in my hand.” So I put the record on as your hand feathers along. Your first was rock n roll, but my champagne heart needs a little soul.
Reflects on life's ease, the absence of getting what is needed, and experiences involving sunsets, liquor fights, and driving a Cadillac through summer nights.
Tonight only the dead are safe and sound
Reiterates that safety and soundness are limited to the dead for the night.
Tonight only the dead are safe and sound
Restates the theme that only the dead are safe and sound tonight.
Take me if you want me you’re allowed.
Reaffirms the invitation or permission to be taken if desired.
Tonight only the dead are safe and sound
Emphasizes that safety and security are only for the dead tonight.
So take me if you want me we came here alone.
Expresses a willingness to be taken if desired and the acknowledgment of arriving alone.
Or set me up in fire we came here alone, I came here alone.
Suggests a choice between being taken or consumed by fire, emphasizing solitude.
Bloody knuckles on concrete right? In the sand where we come to life. Connects right on to our bones. You’re too high as we stumble home. Give up give in for the kicks; touch me this is where we begin and end and end and end and end.
Describes physical struggles and the intertwining of life with the environment, emphasizing surrender for pleasure.
Tonight only the dead are safe and sound
Reiterates that safety and soundness are limited to the dead for the night.
Tonight only the dead are safe and sound
Restates the theme that only the dead are safe and sound tonight.
Take me if you want me you’re allowed.
Reaffirms the invitation or permission to be taken if desired.
Tonight only the dead are safe and sound
Emphasizes that safety and security are only for the dead tonight.
So take me if you want me we came here alone.
Expresses a willingness to be taken if desired and the acknowledgment of arriving alone.
Or set me up in fire we came here alone, I came here alone.
Suggests a choice between being taken or consumed by fire, emphasizing solitude.
I know the ocean is cold and everywhere you been there before.
Reiterates the coldness of the ocean and the familiarity of all places, urging acknowledgment of the inevitable presence of death.
If you would just face the facts, death’s waiting for you and the deck is stacked.
Highlights the inevitability of death and the idea that the odds are against us.
But she puts those Ray-Bans on, just like the night we will settle at dawn.
Describes an action of putting on Ray-Bans, signaling a transition or preparation for dawn.
‘Till then live to let go the starlight will guide us home.
Encourages living freely until dawn with the guidance of starlight.
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