Dead Flowers
Gilby Clarke Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴When you're sitting there in your silk upholstered chair
Talking to some rich folk that you know
Well I hope you won't see me in my ragged company
You know I could never be alone

Take me down little Suzie, take me down
I know you think you're the queen of the underground

When you're sitting back in your rose pink Cadillac
Making bets on Kentucky Derby day
Well I'll be in my basement room with a needle and a spoon
And another heart to take my pain away, eh yeah

Take me down little Suzie, take me down, eh eh yeah yeah
I know you think you're the queen of the underground

When you're sitting back in your rose pink Cadillac
Making bets on Kentucky Derby day
Well I'll be in my basement room with a needle and a spoon
And another heart to take my pain away, eh yeah

Take me down little Suzie, take me down, eh eh yeah yeah
I know you think you're the queen of the underground

And you can send me dead flowers every morning,
Send me dead flowers by the mail,
Say it with dead flowers at my wedding, oh yeah yeah
And I won't forget to put roses on your grave, eh yeah

Take me down little Suzie, take me down,
I know you think you're the queen of the underground

And you can send me dead flowers every morning, oh yeah yeah
Send me dead flowers by the U. S. mail,
Say it with dead flowers at my wedding, oh yeah yeah

And I won't forget to put roses on your grave, eh eah
I won't forget to put roses on your grave, eh eh eh eh eh yeah

Overall Meaning

The song "Dead Flowers" by Gilby Clarke is essentially a tale of two different lifestyles - one of wealth and luxury, and the other of poverty and addiction. The lyrics describe the singer's struggles with being an outsider to the wealthy elite, who instead turn to drugs as a means of escape. Verses like "When you're sitting there in your silk upholstered chair/Talking to some rich folk that you know" and "When you're sitting back in your rose pink Cadillac/Making bets on Kentucky Derby day" paint a vivid picture of the opulence and privilege that the singer is not a part of.

However, it is the chorus that truly makes the song stand out. The repeated refrain of "And you can send me dead flowers every morning/Send me dead flowers by the mail/Say it with dead flowers at my wedding/And I won't forget to put roses on your grave" is both haunting and powerful, as it speaks to the singer's struggles with addiction and the cycle of pain and suffering that it entails. The image of receiving dead flowers every day, and ultimately putting roses on someone's grave, is a stark reminder of the true cost of addiction and the toll it takes on individuals and their loved ones.

Overall, "Dead Flowers" is a poignant and engaging song that explores themes of addiction, wealth, and societal hierarchies. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy and understanding, and the devastating consequences that can arise when we fail to see others as equals.

Line by Line Meaning

When you're sitting there in your silk upholstered chair Talking to some rich folk that you know Well I hope you won't see me in my ragged company You know I could never be alone
When you are socializing with wealthy people while sitting comfortably in your luxurious chair, I hope you won't notice me in my scruffy appearance. I cannot live without company and support.

Take me down little Suzie, take me down I know you think you're the queen of the underground
Bring me to a lower level, Suzie. I am aware that you consider yourself a ruler in the underground scene.

And you can send me dead flowers every morning, oh yeah yeah Send me dead flowers by the mail Say it with dead flowers at my wedding, oh yeah yeah And I won't forget to put roses on your grave, eh yeah
You are welcome to send me flowers that are no longer alive frequently, even sending them through mail. Offer dead flowers to me on my wedding day. I will make sure to honor your memory by placing roses on your grave.

When you're sitting back in your rose pink Cadillac Making bets on Kentucky Derby day Well I'll be in my basement room with a needle and a spoon And another heart to take my pain away, eh yeah
While you indulge in your luxuries like a rose pink Cadillac and gambling on the Kentucky Derby, I will be in a dark place, injecting drugs to numb my pain and calm my emotions.

Take me down little Suzie, take me down, eh eh yeah yeah I know you think you're the queen of the underground
Bring me lower, Suzie. Despite your belief of being a ruler in this underground world, I am still surrounded by my troubles.

And you can send me dead flowers every morning, Send me dead flowers by the mail, Say it with dead flowers at my wedding, oh yeah yeah And I won't forget to put roses on your grave, eh yeah
You can continue sending me dead flowers every day, including through the mail. Present them at my wedding, and remember that I will place roses on your grave.

Take me down little Suzie, take me down, I know you think you're the queen of the underground
Take me down to a deeper level, Suzie. Even though you believe you are the royalty of this underground domain, I am still here in misery.

And you can send me dead flowers every morning, oh yeah yeah Send me dead flowers by the U. S. mail, Say it with dead flowers at my wedding, oh yeah yeah And I won't forget to put roses on your grave, eh eah I won't forget to put roses on your grave, eh eh eh eh eh yeah
Do not hesitate to send me dead flowers, even by U.S. mail. On the day of my nuptials, present them to me. Be assured, I will not forget to place roses on your final resting place.

Contributed by Sadie G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it