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Dead and Lovely Lyrics

She was a middle class girl
She was in over her head
She thought she could stand up in the deep end

He had a bullet-proof smile
He had money to burn
She thought she had the moon in her pocket

But now she's dead
She's so dead
Forever dead and lovely now

I've always been told to remember this
Don't let a fool kiss you
Never marry for love

He was hard to impress
He knew everyone's secrets
He wore her on his arm just like jewelry

He never gave but he got
He kept her on a leash
He's not the kind of wheel you fall asleep at

But now she's dead
Forever dead
Forever dead and lovely now

Come closer, look deeper
You're falling fast
Just like a plane on a stormy sea

She made up someone to be
She made up somewhere to be from
This is one business in the
World where that's no
Problem at all

Everything that is left
They will only plow under
Soon every one you know
Will be gone

And now she's dead
Forever dead
Forever dead and lovely now

But now she's dead
Forever dead
Forever dead and lovely now

I've always been told to remember this
Don't let a kiss fool you
Never marry for love

Everything has it's price
Everything has it's place
What's more romantic than dying in the moonlight?

Now they're all watching the sea
What's lost can never be broken
Her roots were sweet
But they were so shallow

And now she's dead
Forever dead
Forever dead and lovely now

And now she's dead
Forever dead
And she's so dead and lovely now
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12 Meanings

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Cover art for Dead and Lovely lyrics by Tom Waits

Seems like it's about a naive girl who thought married a rich, powerful man for money, thinking she could make a play for his money. At some point they had a falling out and rather than divorce her he pushed her overboard on his yacht. That's what it sounds like to me at least.

Cover art for Dead and Lovely lyrics by Tom Waits

"Seems like it's about a naive girl who thought married a rich, powerful man for money, thinking she could make a play for his money. At some point they had a falling out and rather than divorce her he pushed her overboard on his yacht. That's what it sounds like to me at least."

I agree with what you said, but I also think the part where he says she's dead it's like in a psychological / emotioal way. That she belons to him and that she cannot express what she feels or thinks. She's just there, like an ornament and that's it, like the "perfect wife" that's why it is lovely as well. "She's so dead and lovely now". She looks better that way.

Just my opinion, not arguments and murders, just in a deep emotional sense.

@LucySky oh I like that theory

Cover art for Dead and Lovely lyrics by Tom Waits

This song makes me think so much of the Corpse Bride, it could have been written about the bride herself...

Cover art for Dead and Lovely lyrics by Tom Waits

What do you think of this song with the gender pronouns switched? I sort of like it.

Cover art for Dead and Lovely lyrics by Tom Waits

I can't believe no one commented yet on this song. It's just so haunting and beautiful, it lingers in your head after you listen to it.

Not sure on it's precise meaning but the overall feeling is that it is describing a girl who is in over her head with someone who isn't good for her.

Cover art for Dead and Lovely lyrics by Tom Waits

gorgeous song. storytelling at its best.

Cover art for Dead and Lovely lyrics by Tom Waits

The line should be, "This is one business in the world where there's no profit at all," not "that's no problem at all".

Cover art for Dead and Lovely lyrics by Tom Waits

Ack, I was wrong -- it is "problem" and not "profit". Damn. I have to say I like my version better. :P

Cover art for Dead and Lovely lyrics by Tom Waits

Check out the strange story of the death of Carol Wayne who gained some fame as a bit player in Johnny Carson skits. She was in Mexico with a shady businessman when she drowned. Lots of websites about this incident, but try this one: http://www.findadeath.com/Deceased/w/Carolwayne/CarolWayne.htm

Tom Waits referred to her in this interview at http://www.tomwaitslibrary.com/interviews/05-febr-coolivories-americanroutes.html

Lyric Correction
Cover art for Dead and Lovely lyrics by Tom Waits

reminds me of boy and leola staunton from fifth business, anyone?