They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
“Dead” is the fifth track of lyrically eccentric alt rock duo They Might Be Giants' breakout 1990 record, Flood. D.X. Ferris of Rolling Stone Magazine describes it as “one of TMBG’s most abstract and personal songs.”
The song describes a surreal hypothetical in which the narrator reincarnates into...
[Verse 1]
I returned a bag of groceries
Accidentally taken off the shelf
Before the expiration date
I came back as a bag of groceries
Accidentally taken off the shelf
Before the date stamped on myself
[Chorus]
Did a large procession wave their (did a)
Torches as my head fell in the basket, (large procession)
And was everybody dancing on the casket? (dance?)
Now it's over, I'm dead, and I haven't (now it's)
Done anything that I want (over)
Or, I'm still alive and there's nothing I want to do
[Verse 2]
I will never say the word "Procrastinate" again
I'll never see myself in the mirror with my eyes closed
I didn't apologize for when I was eight and I made my younger
Brother have to be my personal slave
[Chorus]
Did a large procession wave their (did a)
Torches as my head fell in the basket, (large procession)
And was everybody dancing on the casket? (dance?)
Now it's over, I'm dead, and I haven't (now it's)
Done anything that I want (over)
Or, I'm still alive and there's nothing I want to do
[Bridge]
So I won't sit at home anymore
And you won't see my head in the window
And I won't be around ever anymore
And I'll be up there on the wall at the store
[Verse 1]
I returned a bag of groceries
Accidentally taken off the shelf
Before the expiration date
I came back as a bag of groceries
Accidentally taken off the shelf
Before the date stamped on myself
[Chorus]
Did a large procession wave their (did a)
Torches as my head fell in the basket, (large procession)
And was everybody dancing on the casket? (dance?)
Now it's over, I'm dead, and I haven't (now it's)
Done anything that I want (over)
Or, I'm still alive and there's nothing I want to do
Now it's over, I'm dead, and I haven't (now it's)
Done anything that I want (over)
Or, I'm still alive and there's nothing I want to do
Dead was written by John Linnell & John Flansburgh.
Dead was produced by They Might Be Giants.
They Might Be Giants released Dead on Mon Jan 15 1990.
John Linnell:
I think I ripped the vocal interplay off from the Proclaimers.