Dried Up, Tied And Dead To The World

Marilyn Manson's song "Dried Up, Tied And Dead To The World" delves into themes of self-destruction, dependency, and the hollow pursuit of superficial desires. The lyrics paint a grim picture of someone who has sacrificed their integrity and identity for material gain and fleeting pleasures. The opening lines, "You cut off all of your fingers / Trade them in for dollar bills," suggest a metaphorical self-mutilation, where the individual is willing to lose parts of themselves for monetary gain. This is further emphasized by the line, "Cake on some more make-up to / Cover all those lines," indicating a desperate attempt to mask the damage and maintain a facade.

The chorus, "I'll be your lover, I'll be forever / I'll be tomorrow, I am anything when I'm high," speaks to a sense of escapism and the temporary relief found in substances or unhealthy relationships. The repetition of these lines underscores the cyclical nature of this dependency, where the individual becomes anything to avoid facing their reality. The phrase "anything when I'm high" highlights the transformative, albeit destructive, power of addiction, where the person loses their true self in the process.

The imagery in the song is visceral and unsettling, with lines like "You shove your hair down my throat / I feel your fingers in me" and "Tear this bitter fruit to mess / Wrap it in your soiled dress." These lines evoke a sense of violation and degradation, reflecting the internal turmoil and external consequences of living a life devoid of genuine connection and meaning. The final lines, "All dried up and tied up forever / All fucked up and dead to the world," encapsulate the ultimate outcome of this path—complete emotional and spiritual desolation.