This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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
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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.