Better Off Dead Lyrics

Lyric discussion by willie333 

Cover art for Better Off Dead lyrics by Elton John

Of all the images on this steamy side of town the final two sentences nail it all down. There are a lot of thorns that can stick in your side, but the rose symbolizes love, and the thorn of the rose is unrequited love. When you are smitten, but unrequited then you are better off dead than love sick.

I think that is pretty clever. Another way to think about it is the rose can also symbolize inspiration, creativity, life, etc; so to think about it like this is to think if you're creativity or that which inspires you merely puts a thorn in your side or does not drive you, then the very hold that you have on life is that which irks your life and so you are caught in an embittered circle which prohibits you from truly living.