Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Thirsty Dog


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I know you've heard it all before
But I'm sorry for this three year war
For the setting up of camps
and wire and trenches
I'm sorry for the other night
I know sorry it don't make it right
I'm sorry for things I can't even mention

I'm sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry
I'm sitting feeling sorry in the Thirsty Dog
I'm sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry
I'm feeling very sorry in the Thirsty Dog

You keep nailing me back into my box
I'm sorry I keep popping back up
With my crazy mouth
and jangling jester's cap
I'm sorry I ever wrote that book
I'm sorry for the way I look
But there ain't a lot that
I can do about that

I'm sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry
I'm sitting feeling sorry in the Thirsty Dog
I'm sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry
I'm feeling very sorry in the Thirsty Dog

I'm sorry about the hospital
Some things are unforgivable
That things simply cannot be forgiven
I was not equipped to know how to care
Amnd on the occassions I came up for air
I saw my life and wondered
what the hell I had been living

I'm sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry
I'm sitting feeling sorry in the Thirsty Dog
I'm sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry
I'm feeling very very sorry in the Thirsty Dog

I'm sorry about all your friends
I hope they'll speak to me again
I said before I'd pay for all the damages
I'm sorry it's just rotten luck
I'm sorry I've forgotten how to fuck
It's just that I think my heart
and soul are kind of famished

I'm sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry
I'm sitting feeling sorry in the Thirsty Dog
I'm sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry
I'm feeling very sorry in the Thirsty Dog

Forgive me, baby but don't worry
Love is always having to
say you're sorry
And I am, from my head
down to my shoes
I'm sorry that I'm always pissed
I'm sorry that I exist
And when I look into your eyes
I can see you're sorry too

I'm sorry, sorry, sorry
I'm sitting feeling sorry in the Thirsty Dog
I'm sorry, sorry, sorry
I'm feeling very sorry in the Thirsty Dog

I'm sorry, sorry, sorry
I'm feeling very thirsty in the Sorry Dog
I'm sorry, sorry, sorry
I'm feeling very sorry in the Thirsty Dog


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Thirsty Dog song meanings
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5 Comments

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  • +2
    General CommentAwesome song.

    It's an apology (obviously) but what hasn't been mentioned is the role of alcohol.

    It seems pretty clear to me that the apologist is a hopeless alcoholic (I'm sorry that I'm always pissed, I'm sorry that I exist, And when I look into your eyes, I can see you're sorry too ... classic!). It's not just those lines that lead me to think that way, the whole song seems to be about self destruction that is almost beyond the apologist's control.

    Even the apology itself is kinda half hearted ... it's like the guy wants to be sincere, but he's done it all before, and he knows he's gonna do it all again, so there's no point putting too much effort into it

    And the solution? Go and sit in the pub, presumably getting drunk again. A true reflection of life as an alcoholic, and the effect it has on the alcoholic's loved one. That's how I see it anyway.
    Rooboyon March 17, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Commentanother one of Nick's rockier songs, I can personally relate to this song. The opening few lines are brilliant i love the way he compares a relationship to war.

    The chorus and song title Thirsty Dog is in the song the nameof a pub where the protagonist of the song sits, drinks presumably and feels sorry for himself and for all that he has done.

    Its a very insincere apology and imo reflects the nature of the relationship that nick is trying to describe where the protagonist just feels restricted by his lover and has to constantly apoligise just for living his life the way he does.
    Dressed2Depresson June 27, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Commenta bitter apology.
    velvetsisteron July 29, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Commenthes sorry he is who he is and he keeps fucking up but he wishes to be left alone, hes worn out He loves her but he cant change, i know how it feels to love someone but just be tired of it all, drugs or alcohol are infinetly preferable to a nagging voice.
    the line 'im sorry ive forgotten how to fuck" really resonates with me, hes tired of the sordidness and muck and dirt and wants to be out of his head
    becfazon March 26, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General CommentReminds me of a batterer repeatedly apologizing to his victim.
    Lidzzon September 16, 2013   Link

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