The song "Death By Misadventure" by John Hiatt tells the stories of two characters, Harry and Estella, who both meet tragic and unexpected ends. Harry is introduced as a man working for the Secret Service, leading a seemingly ordinary life. However, he feels trapped and unfulfilled. In a desperate attempt to break free from his monotonous existence, he burns his suit and holster, takes a picture of himself for a wanted poster, and ultimately ends his own life by shooting himself in a dryer at the laundromat. The tag on his toe indicates that his death was ruled as a mishap or accident. Estella, Harry's wife, responds to his death with indifference. Rather than mourning, she sees an opportunity to reshape her life. Estella contemplates her outdated wardrobe and believes that being part of a family has been overrated. Her children rebel against her and get tangled up in a life of drugs and crime. Tragically, they are both killed by a junkie over a drug deal gone wrong. Disgusted by the situation, Estella takes her own life by ingesting ninety Nembutal pills, a barbiturate sedative commonly used for euthanasia. The phrase "Death by misadventure" is repeated throughout the song, highlighting the cruel irony of the characters' untimely and unusual demises. It serves as a commentary on the unpredictable and often senseless nature of life. The song advises listeners to be cautious in choosing their paths and the company they keep, as some people may gravitate towards a fast-paced, reckless lifestyle, while others may succumb to a slow and gradual decline. Ultimately, the song suggests that we are all worse off for knowing the harsh realities and tragic fates that can befall us.
