Buried Beneath Me's New Single "Deathbed": A Journey Through Rebirth and Acceptance
Buried Beneath Me's second single, “Deathbed”, is a reflection of the band’s ability to evolve while staying true to their roots. With this track, the group blends their earlier sound with modern influences, delivering a powerful message about letting go of old dreams to make room for new ones.
The song sits within the album's tracklist, just before the “deepest sleep,” a metaphor for a significant turning point in the narrative the album unfolds. “Deathbed” is “very much an older BBM sound with some new age BBM mixed in.” V, who fronts the band explains.This track marks a contrast to their previous single, “The Villain”, with its punk-driven energy and in-your-face attitude. Instead, “Deathbed” takes a more subtle approach, creeping up on the listener before it grabs hold.
The song’s journey started long ago, though it had sat on the shelf for some time. V was drawn to certain aspects of the original version but wasn’t satisfied with how the song was structured or its lyrical direction. After reworking the piece, they created a new chorus, added a bridge, and embraced a more modern sound, thanks to the help of Tra$hdog, who suggested incorporating synths to give the breakdown a contemporary feel. The addition of gang vocals during the “fire” section helped to make the song more crowd-friendly. This strategic decision is aimed at building a connection with fans during live performances.
Lyrically, “Deathbed” speaks to the concept of letting go of past dreams. “The song is really about letting your old dreams die to allow new ones to grow. That is the most important message of deathbed.” V reveals. They emphasize that the song is not just about death in a literal sense, but about embracing the process of rebirth. “Don’t be afraid of death, because rebirth is right around the corner,” they add, offering listeners a sense of hope in the face of change.
Despite the deeply personal nature of “Deathbed”, V is intentional about not revealing too much of their own backstory behind the song. “I don’t want my personal story to take away from the listener’s story,” they say. “When we go into a song or piece of art knowing what it’s about, we view it in a different lens... That defeats the purpose of art entirely.” Instead, they hope each person brings their own meaning to the track, letting it resonate with their experiences, not just theirs.
“Their meaning behind this song is theirs to have…..what is the personal connection to this song for the listener. That is for them to decide.”
When comparing “Deathbed” to “The Villain”, V points out that the two tracks are worlds apart in both sound and energy. “The Villain” is bold, brash, and punk-inspired, while “Deathbed” is more introspective, with a creeping intensity that pulls listeners in. This contrast between the tracks reflects the broader journey of the album, which aims to explore the cycle of death and rebirth.
In terms of memorable moments during the recording process, V mentions that the demo version of the vocals was surprisingly powerful, but time constraints led them to move forward with a different take. “The demo take of vocals, in my opinion, was far superior,” he says. “But we were on a time crunch, and my voice just wasn’t cooperating with that key, so we decided to move on.” Despite V’s personal reservations about their vocals in certain parts of the song, the track still resonated with listeners during early feedback, with many fans expressing surprise that it wasn’t chosen as a single sooner.
Musically, “Deathbed” incorporates several unique sounds that enhance its atmosphere. V highlights the 808 bass in the intro, which sets a haunting tone, along with a chomp-like sound during the line “and my teeth, sharp as needles.” These creative details reflect the band's commitment to building an immersive experience through sound, an approach V describes as creating imagery in the listener’s mind. From the eerie creaking sound before the 808 drops to the unsettling use of “teeth,” every detail adds to the song’s haunting quality.
When it comes to future plans, there’s even talk of a potential music video for “Deathbed”. However, as V notes, the cost of creating a video at the same level as their previous release, “The Villain”, may be a challenge given the band’s smaller budget. Despite this, V is committed to finding a way to bring their vision to life, even if it means scaling down the concept. “We are going to try and make it happen,” they say, leaving fans hopeful for a visual companion to the track.
Though “Deathbed” was once shelved, it had already been played live in its earlier form. “It has been played live before in its old form and back then it went over very well,” V shared. “I cannot wait to see how it goes with the rewrite. I have some very interesting plans for this song for live performances.”
When asked to elaborate, V explained, “Well... we have some ideas. Again, the ideas cost money and to reach those ideas wouldn’t be an unthinkable amount but it’s quite a bit with the American economy being what it is. What I can say about it is that if you are a fan who is paying attention you have seen the radio come up a lot recently. That will most likely be a part of the show. It will take time, but this whole album has taken well over a year and I think the wait will be worth it. Just need the right gear to get it done.”
Looking ahead, “Deathbed” plays a significant role in the overarching story of the album. It’s a turning point, a reminder that death is not the end, but rather a stage in the larger journey. V leaves us with a message for listeners: “Don’t be afraid to let go of your dreams. Don’t be afraid of that deathbed, because in the end it’s going to work out for you. Regardless of the things people have said or done to you, regardless of what happens next, you got this and the deathbed is just the beginning of the end, but that doesn't always mean the end forever after all.
Listen to “Deathbed” on most streaming platforms today.
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