Lazarus wasn't grateful for his second wind
For a second chance
Watch his chances fade like the dawn and leave
I can barely tell you just how pale I get without you

I've been a mess since you've been gone

What were the first words that crowd heard him speak?
I bet he was cursing at the sky
I bet he wasn't turning no other cheek
And was there still hope and desire left in his heart for the last word in love?

Your beauty is just a slap in the face that's gonna bring me back to life
Back to another sky that's blue
It's gonna turn me into another great American zombie
So hungry for you


Lyrics submitted by Michial

I've Been a Mess Lyrics as written by John Mark Eitzel

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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I've Been a Mess song meanings
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3 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    If you were ever looking for the blues in a de-racialized (i.e white) and otherwise pure context, this is the best you're ever gonna get. I promise you.

    Mark Eitzel bares his soul all over this track and explains the biblical significance of raising the dead at the same time while he laments what (I hope) was a temporary separation from his significant other.

    Bobby Dylan: I'm sorry, but you ain't got shit on this!

    daydreamsson March 24, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    There's a live version of this out there, and when he gets to that chorus I don't know that I've ever heard someone's heart being squashed and coming out as singing, not the way he does it.

    InfantTyroneon May 02, 2017   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Just one of the greatest ever written - Mark Eitzel waiting for his lost love to bring him back from the dead.

    alf1053044on August 06, 2021   Link

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