The composition Join Me in Death is included in the list of the best-selling singles in Finland (fifteenth place at the time of writing). It was a major hit not only in the homeland of the rock band HIM, but also in many other states of the European continent. And the story of the song is also interesting because the track caused a huge amount of controversy about the main idea of the lyrics.
The history of the song Join Me in Death
The official release of the single Join Me in Death took place in the fall of 1999. But Ville Valo said that the band performed it long before the studio version was presented to the listeners:
In fact, the song was written in fifteen minutes, but the arrangement took two and a half years. Those were the days when there were no iPhones, so no one recorded bootlegs. In fact, we’ve had the opportunity to play the song live a hundred times to see what was right and wrong about the arrangement, what tempo and key was right, just by watching people’s hips move to the song. It’s like you’re writing songs in the style of Las Vegas. You just have to trust your instincts and inner voice.
SongFacts.com
In 1999, the composition was released as a single from the album Razorblade Romance. She managed to top the charts in Finland and Germany, as well as rise to high positions in the charts of several other European countries.
In the international version of the record, the song was called Join Me. The abbreviated version appeared because in the USA the phrase “in death” could cause problems. But it was not possible to avoid the appearance of difficulties.
Meaning of Join Me in Death
Many listeners took the text of the composition too literally, deciding that it was about the desire of lovers to end their lives in order to stay together in eternity. Moreover, the author even had to face unexpected accusations, which forced him to explain what the song Join Me in Death is about:
A couple of people accused me of committing suicide, which someone here committed. They said that Join Me is a call to kill yourself. But what I was trying to do was kind of emulate Don’t Fear the Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult, wanting to make a Romeo and Juliet rock track.
Metal Hammer, 2003
She, this song, is not about suicide. It’s about giving everything without a trace.
Modern Fix
Clips of Join Me in Death HIM
There are four versions of the music video for Join Me in Death. Two of the ads use footage from the film The Thirteenth Floor. We will see the so-called “ice version”, in which references to the story of Romeo and Juliet are obvious.
Interesting Facts
- Sometimes at concerts the band performs an additional verse, which is not in the official version of the track.
- The song is played in the closing credits of only the European version of the film The Thirteenth Floor. The American version plays Erase/Rewind by The Cardigans.
- The composition can also be heard in the second part of the fantastic picture “Resident Evil”.
Join Me in Death Lyrics
Baby join me in death x3
We are so young
Our lives have just begun
But already we’re considering
Escape from this world
And we’ve been waiting for so long
For this moment to come
We’re so anxious to be together
Together in death
Would you die tonight for love
Baby join me in death
Would you die
Baby join me in death
Would you die tonight for love
Baby join me in death
This world is a cruel place
And we’re here only to lose
So before life tears us apart let
Death-bless me with you
This life ain’t worth living x4
“Join Me in Death” lyrics
Baby let’s die together x3
We are so young
Our lives have barely begun
But we’re already going
Escape from this world
And we’ve waited so long
The coming of this moment
We long to be together
Together at death’s door
Are you ready to die today for love?
Baby let’s die together
Are you ready to die?
Baby let’s die together
Are you ready to die today for love?
Baby let’s die together
This world is a cruel place
And here we are destined only to fail
So before life do us part, let’s better
Death will give me you
This life is not worth living x4
Song quote
It surprises me that Join Me is still playing. I did not expect this, because this thing is not so good at all.
Ville Valo, Dark City, 2000
