I Fell In Love With a Dead Boy

Antony and the Johnsons' song 'I Fell In Love With a Dead Boy' is a haunting and poignant exploration of love, loss, and identity. The lyrics open with a vivid and unsettling image of the narrator finding someone with 'red tears' in their eyes, suggesting a scene of tragedy or violence. The narrator's initial impulse to call a doctor is overridden by a profound need to connect, leading them to lay down beside the person and hold their hand. This act of intimacy in the face of potential death sets the tone for the rest of the song, highlighting themes of unconditional love and the human desire for connection, even in the most dire circumstances.

The chorus reveals the depth of the narrator's feelings, expressing that they have found fulfillment in this tragic relationship. The repeated line 'I fell in love with a dead boy' underscores the paradox of finding life-affirming love in death. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for loving someone who is emotionally or spiritually unavailable, or it could be a literal reflection on the narrator's experience of loving someone who has passed away. The song's melancholic beauty is further emphasized by the narrator's actions of writing letters and throwing bottles out to sea, symbolizing their attempts to communicate with the lost loved one and keep their memory alive.

The song also delves into questions of identity, with the repeated inquiry 'Are you a boy or a girl?' This line challenges traditional notions of gender and suggests a fluidity that transcends conventional boundaries. Antony Hegarty, the lead singer of Antony and the Johnsons, is known for their androgynous voice and exploration of gender identity in their music, adding another layer of personal and cultural significance to the song. 'I Fell In Love With a Dead Boy' is a deeply emotional and thought-provoking piece that invites listeners to reflect on the nature of love, loss, and identity in a world that often seeks to categorize and define the undefinable.