The lyrics of "Dealer" describe a scene where windows are ringing, dead men are shaking for angels, and hearts are being cooled to keep ice junkies packed hard on a seam. The dead are still searching for the living, and the singer reflects on not failing on the other side of a prowler.

Read more
image

Meaning of "Dealer" by Scott Walker


The imagery in the lyrics of "Dealer" conveys a sense of darkness and despair, with references to drug use and death. The idea of windows ringing and dead men shaking for angels suggests a haunting presence, perhaps symbolizing the consequences of a destructive lifestyle. The mention of cooling hearts and ice junkies packed hard on a seam paints a picture of numbness and desperation. The singer acknowledges a sense of failure, yet also finds some solace in the idea of not wailing or feeling anything. The repetition of "sweet hot numbers" and "bumping out through the eye on a wire of knots" adds to the feeling of entrapment and repetition in a cycle of destructive behavior, possibly related to addiction. The overall tone of the lyrics is bleak, portraying a world where hopelessness and darkness prevail.