José González – Deadweight on Velveteen

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Deadweight on velveteen
It's retained emptiness
It's not what it seems
Uncover the mystery
Tell everyone what you see
It's not what it seems
Vulgar when brought to light
Betray the image
There's nothing between the sheets
It's not what it seems
But deadweight on velveteen
Vulgar when brought to light
Vulgar the lie

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Deadweight on Velveteen song meanings
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9 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:I think its about the materialism of society and how lame and fake everything is.
    Flag confusedciouson October 19, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:I always thought that this song was about an affair.
    Flag 5nowmanon August 06, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i thought maybe it was an image of finding the you inside yourself, but realising that person is not who you thought it was - it's a 'deadweight on velveteen' in that it's a deadweight on us; that the real 'us' is not someone we like...

    maybe it's about the relationship as well, in that the couple realise they are both hollow and shallow on the inside, and still they keep coexisting, despite the fact that their relationship is 'Vulgar', because they're so beaten down by the fact that they're not who they thought they were. What a brilliant song!
    Flag Rosemageon June 08, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I always assumed that this was a song about a relationship that was okay in every aspect, except the bedroom.
    “Deadweight on velveteen” – they’re just deadweights on velveteen sheets. They can’t perform for each other.
    ”It's retained emptiness” – their sex life is empty.
    "It's not what it seems" – they seem to have a “perfect” relationship, but they don’t.
    “Uncover the mystery” – the start of them trying to figure out what’s wrong between them.
    ”Tell everyone what you see” – But when the couple try to discuss it with anyone else, it's vulgar ("Vulgar, when brought to light").
    "Betray the image" – through their “lack of action” (as it were), they’re betraying the image of the perfect relationship they project to everyone else.
    “There’s nothing between the sheets”– neither can carry out the traditional tasks expected of a man and woman. Thus, they are deadweights.
    “Vulgar, when brought to light” – they can’t discuss it with their friends, and can no longer discuss it with each other.
    “Vulgar, the lie” – but, just as vulgar, is the pretence that everything’s okay with them.

    Anyway, that’s just what I assumed.
    Flagged Tessieon October 03, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Its a song about a meaningless relationship. The couple are a dead weight on velveteen sheets - what they have is a lie. Beautiful song.
    Flag harvmbon January 23, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:oh my gosh! i think i just figured out what it means, after i read the lyrics again, the clue is in the last lines 'vulgar the lie' He's talking about a lie! and it makes so much sense now...'its not what it seems' (a lie is not what it seems cos its a lie...) and its vulgar when brought to light...a lie is vulgar when you figure out someone is lying to you... hey what do you say about that?
    Flag black cake basson August 07, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think this is one of my favourite songs on his album, its absolutely amazing! Struggling to find the 100% meaning of it though, but i really dig the way he gets the message of something sinister and dark across through his voice and guitar... it leaves you wondering about the world and all the dark things out there, what people are trying to hide from you etc. Its weird.. difficult to place meaning. but still, goes right to my heart that song. any ideas?? would love to hear more comments.
    Flag black cake basson August 07, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i think it's about the real person you only discover after time inside yourself. i love it this song.
    Flag danisonfireon March 19, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song is brill, so simple. im not totally sure wot its about. something being covered up, something thats not good "vulgar when brought to light". but im not 100% on its meaning. wot do u think?
    Flag Shezzaon January 09, 2006   Link

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