The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I stood alone, upon the platform in vain
The Puerto Ricans they were playing me salsa in the rain
With open doors and manual locks
In fast-food parking lots
I headed West, I was a man on the move
New York had lied to me, I needed the truth
Oh, I need somebody, I needed someone I could trust
I don't gamble, but if I did I would bet on us
Like the Dead Sea
You told me I was like the Dead Sea
You'll never sink when you are with me
Oh Lord, like the Dead Sea
Whoa, I'm like the Dead Sea
Finest words you ever said to me
Honey, can't you see?
I was born to be, be your Dead Sea
You told me you were good at running away
Domestic life, it never suited you like a suitcase
You left with just the clothes on your back
Took the rest when you took a nap
Yes, there are times we live for somebody else
Your father died and you decided to live
It for yourself, you felt, you just felt it was time
And I'm glad, 'cause you with cats, that's just not right
Like the Dead Sea
You told me I was like the Dead Sea
You'll never sink when you are with me
Oh Lord, I'm your Dead Sea
Whoa, I'm like the Dead Sea (dead sea)
The nicest words you ever said to me (said to me)
Honey, can't you see?
I was born to be, be your Dead Sea
I've been down, I've been defeated
You're the message I was heeding
Would you stay
Would you stay the night? Ooh
Dead Sea
Told me I was like the Dead Sea
Never sink when you are with me
Oh Lord, I'm your Dead Sea
Whoa, I'm like the Dead Sea (dead sea)
The nicest words you ever said to me (said to me)
Honey, can't you see?
I was born to be your Dead Sea
The Puerto Ricans they were playing me salsa in the rain
With open doors and manual locks
In fast-food parking lots
I headed West, I was a man on the move
New York had lied to me, I needed the truth
Oh, I need somebody, I needed someone I could trust
I don't gamble, but if I did I would bet on us
Like the Dead Sea
You told me I was like the Dead Sea
You'll never sink when you are with me
Oh Lord, like the Dead Sea
Whoa, I'm like the Dead Sea
Finest words you ever said to me
Honey, can't you see?
I was born to be, be your Dead Sea
You told me you were good at running away
Domestic life, it never suited you like a suitcase
You left with just the clothes on your back
Took the rest when you took a nap
Yes, there are times we live for somebody else
Your father died and you decided to live
It for yourself, you felt, you just felt it was time
And I'm glad, 'cause you with cats, that's just not right
Like the Dead Sea
You told me I was like the Dead Sea
You'll never sink when you are with me
Oh Lord, I'm your Dead Sea
Whoa, I'm like the Dead Sea (dead sea)
The nicest words you ever said to me (said to me)
Honey, can't you see?
I was born to be, be your Dead Sea
I've been down, I've been defeated
You're the message I was heeding
Would you stay
Would you stay the night? Ooh
Dead Sea
Told me I was like the Dead Sea
Never sink when you are with me
Oh Lord, I'm your Dead Sea
Whoa, I'm like the Dead Sea (dead sea)
The nicest words you ever said to me (said to me)
Honey, can't you see?
I was born to be your Dead Sea
Lyrics submitted by dmakita, edited by swagswagswag69
Dead Sea Lyrics as written by Wesley Schultz Jeremy Fraites
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Wes (lead vocals) said he wrote this song about what Jer's (drums, vocals) girlfriend said to him once, how he's her "Dead Sea" because she'd never sink when she's with him.
I think the meaning of that is, the Dead Sea is so salty you'd actually float in the water instead of sink. Which is an oddly sweet, and creative way to tell someone they're special to you and that you consider them an exception.
The word "dead" and the sad tone of the music makes this song sound gloomy. But in reality, this song is uplifting. The high salt content of the dead sea makes it so that people float more easily. The artist is saying that he is so happy because he was made to keep her afloat. He's been down but she brings him right up and he does the same thing for her. It's a beautiful and quirky way to tell someone that you will be there for them.
I really do love your interpretation, "Izzy," but that has not been my personal experience. I have this person who thinks I wanna be a computer-mate to her. When she's down, she wants me online. When she's up, she's out the door and with someone else. I think I'll stick with the Lumineers, but not with the crap I've been fed for so long.
I think you're right but I believe it to have a more literal meaning as well. The band originally included Wesley and Jeremiah who lived near New York city decided to pick up and move out west to "I headed West, I was a man on the move<br /> New York had lied to me, I needed the truth" <br /> <br /> They say in their bio they left with just a few suitcases <br /> <br /> "You left with just the clothes on your back<br /> You took the rest when you took the map"
The basic meaning of this song is pretty simple and obvious-- there's a girl who is grateful for a guy she is able to depend on. This sounds like an uplifting starting point for the song, but there's a little more to it that is hinted at. I interpret it as the girl is grateful for the guy, but sees it as no more than that, whereas the guy has some feelings for her but just doesn't tell her because he knows she doesn't want a real relationship. The girl doesn't like "domestic life," so she doesn't really want a relationship. The "nicest thing" she has ever said to him is how he's like a "dead sea," not the most romantic metaphor ever. He is there for her and she appreciates it, but he wishes she saw him as more than that. He has held on to the compliment... this happens to me some times. If I like someone and they say the slightest nice thing to me, I'll over analyze their words and hold on to them. He has asked her to stay the night, but she just can't see him like that. It's sort of defeat, but he is at least happy that he is able to be helpful to her and be in her life. It's bittersweet. I could go on and on, but overall this is a refreshing and nice song. It's a realistic situation that we can all find ourselves in at one point or another, and its tone just gives the feeling that life goes on.
One of the best, freshest songs I have heard in a while, totally made me hooked on them.
This is a beautiful song. Just as people can float easily on the dead sea, this boy is a "dead sea" to this girl, something that kept her spirits up and didn't let her sink. and she tells him so. Their relationship might not last because she isn't suited to domestic life and sticking around, but for a while he's helped to keep her afloat. Now he's trying to help her see that he can be her "dead sea" forever. I think everyone needs a "dead sea" in their life.
I can't decide if this song is uplifting or horribly depressing. The lyrics would suggest that it is happy. Being someone's Dead Sea means you are special and can lift others up. However, the way it is sung with such an aching tone leads me to believe there is a pain underneath it all. Maybe the singer was hurting himself by trying to lift others all the time. I don't know what the true meaning is. Just my two cents
He’s definitely her dead see, but when it says your father dies and you decided to live. Maybe that’s why domestic life doesn’t suit her.. she wants more, I say this because I lost my uncle who was like an older brother to me and my father, they both past away before they where 50, it definitely makes you want to live life to the fullest