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The Living Lyrics
What's it like there outside
With the living, with the living
Here I've found a place I can hide
From the living, from the living
Because I don't care to stay with the living
Oh, the bottle has been to me
My closest friend, my worst enemy
For a flavor I walked a fine life
Squandered it all and wasted my time
And I don't stand a chance among the living
For the lovers I've gambled and lost
Count my mistakes whatever the cost
I'll go off, I'll make myself scarce
Oh, come tomorrow
You won't find me here
Because I don't care to stay with the living
I don't think I'll remain with the living
And I don't care to stay with the living
No, I don't care to stay
With the living, with the living
Here I've found a place I can hide
From the living, from the living
Because I don't care to stay with the living
My closest friend, my worst enemy
For a flavor I walked a fine life
Squandered it all and wasted my time
And I don't stand a chance among the living
Count my mistakes whatever the cost
I'll go off, I'll make myself scarce
Oh, come tomorrow
You won't find me here
I don't think I'll remain with the living
No, I don't care to stay
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Isn't it pretty clear that this is about suicide? Or am I crazy. It's not about alcoholism... that reference indirect. The person in the song tried to self medicate with alcohol but it didn't work
What I get from this song is a person who is very disenchanted with life. The song mentions the bottle but you could substitute that with anything and I have my things I can substitute. I feel this way more now that I am getting older. There are things in my life that make me happy but there are things that just don't.
I can understand not wanting to stay among the living. It does not have to mean suicide. It can mean you just no longer have the desire to be around people any more. You see the world around you and the people who do not have the things you desire the most and it hurts. It could be not being addicted, people who have families that are happy, or any thing that just hurts you inside that much.
As I said before I am getting older, I always thought at this point in my life I would be with someone and happy but that is not the case. After so many failed relationships and trying to make things work with another person and having it always end up the same way has left me feeling much like this. I no longer care to be a part of the bigger world any longer.
I have family and a few friends and I am okay with it, but I no longer care to be a part of the rest. I prefer to spend my time taking care of the things I have to and pursuing the hobbies I have found that bring joy to my life. I do think the song is about a person who has not been able to find their joy, or find peace in something else that can bring them joy instead. It is not an easy thing to do. You have to accept the way things are, your own actions that helped bring you here, and that is not always easy for people to do.
@hifromme Wow, that's a lot to say for this song. Don't be so hard on yourself. We've all made mistakes. It's never too late. It sounds like you don't know what that joy is that you're looking for.
@hifromme Wow, that's a lot to say for this song. Don't be so hard on yourself. We've all made mistakes. It's never too late. It sounds like you don't know what that joy is that you're looking for.
While the other songs on this album are powerful, this one and the one that plays before it (Effigy) are full of dispair. She's weak here. Shes giving up
this song just. wow. its sore. natalie merchant is amazing with words, all her songs just the words are so deep they can make you feel n think stuff that you never even knew was inside you. awesome.
This could be about the alcoholic who has hit rock bottom.