A song for the deaf, that is, for you

Nobody's coming down the hall
Nobody echoes in my head
Broken reflection, outta luck
Nobody ever needed it

I got what was
I want to take what's left
(Ready now)

Beautiful senses are gone
Canary in a gilded cage
Singin'
Sweet, soft and low
I will poison you all
Come closer, racin' to your tongue

I got what was
Want to take what's left
No talk will cure
What's lost, or save what's left
(For the deaf)

The blind can go get fucked
Lie beside the ditch
This halo 'round my neck
Has torn out every stitch

Who are you hiding? Is it safe for the deaf?
Beautiful cancer, infiltrate then forget
Yeah, I saw you coming and I heard not a thing
A mistake not to listen
When I knew where you'd been

And I got what was
I want to take what's left
No talk will cure
What's lost, or save what's left
(For the deaf)

You're listening to W.A.n.t.
The high desert wonder valley favorite radio station
S'been a good night
Dave Catching here
Not saying goodnight
Just saying

Ha ha ha ha ha ha haaaa
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haaa
Ha ha ha ha, ha ha ha ha, hah hah haaah
Ha ha ha ha ha


Lyrics submitted by ikari, edited by Per_Killer

A Song for the Deaf Lyrics as written by Mark William Lanegan Josh Homme

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

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A Song For The Deaf song meanings
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25 Comments

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  • +4
    General Comment

    I have very little idea what this song is about, but I'll take a stab at it anyway.

    I think Homme is trying to say that you have to sometimes let stubborn people be stubborn. You can't waste your time constantly preaching to someone or trying to make them see things your way. In the end, it's like talking to the deaf. I especially sense this message in the chorus. He's speaking as someone who understands himself and the world, and doesn't care about other people's perceptions ("Broken reflection...nobody ever needed it").

    I also believe that he's comparing deafness to blindness in the "blind can go get fucked" verse, with the latter being a metaphor for ignorance. It's one thing to acknowledge a circumstance, and not allow it to change your views or ideals. It's another thing to be in denial. Stubborness and ignorance are not one and the same, in his eyes.

    drtre62688on January 16, 2011   Link

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