| Tracy Chapman – Fast Car Lyrics | 7 months ago |
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Very insightful comments here. I agree that the song has strong elements which describe a cycle of poverty, alcoholism, desperation and single parenthood. I have tried to find out of Tracy says about the song, but she is notoriously tight-lipped about her work, and for good reason. It's very hard to be a critic or neutral observer of your own work, and doing so can interfere with the creative process. What stands out is a quote from a Q magazine interview in which she says, "Basically it's about a relationship that doesn't work out because it's starting from the wrong place." I think this says a lot. She (the protagonist in the song) is desperate to escape her situation. So much so that she latches onto a dream/fantasy/image of speeding off into the sunset with a man and his fast car leading to a better life. She holds on to this dream so tightly, that no matter how bad things get, she keeps believing that things will change for the better. She needs to believe this because her present situation so unbearable. It serves as both an escape and a source of motivation, but also blinds her to the reality that her partner lacks that motivation and is hampered by an alcohol addiction. When she finally pulls herself out of poverty, she realizes that she is in the same situation as her parents. Her partner is not an active participant in the relationship or the family. He is stuck in his own cycle of depression, addiction or what have you. For the benefit of herself and her family, she decides that he must either shape up or ship out. The relationship never had a solid foundation. It was not built upon mutual attraction and respect, rather, a need to escape and follow a dream of a better life. The car symbolizes this escape, but unfortunately, he wasn’t serious about working to accomplish the goals that she (not them collectively) formulated. He was just along for the proverbial ride. |
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| Sting – Don't Stand So Close to Me Lyrics | 7 months ago |
| @[Azubloo:48394] What a beautiful and encouraging story you have presented. I agree that he truly loved you. Moreover, he loved you enough and had the integrity to keep the relationship a platonic one. He sounds like a very decent and respectable person, and that he helped you become one as well. Beautiful. | |
| Eric Clapton – Cocaine Lyrics | 6 years ago |
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@[Incubus_4679:24793] The song IS anti-coke. Read the lyrics and think them through. It's taking a realistic approach. Cocaine, like many drugs, can be used in many ways and for many reasons. But eventually, you can't live your life without it. "If you want to get down, down on the ground, cocaine." Sounds pretty straightforward to me. |
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| Depeche Mode – Policy Of Truth Lyrics | 13 years ago |
| Personally, I think the line refers to promising oneself that they will never again reveal (probably to a lover) what is best kept a secret, but once again falling victim to their own desire to be truthful. | |
| Eric Clapton – Cocaine Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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Hey, guys and gals. I'm sorry to say it, but many of the comments on this song are pretty lame, and some are outright nonsensical. I really don't care for the "pro-drug or anti-drug" debate, yet here is one thing to consider: In his live performances of this song, Clapton typically follows up the word "cocaine" (when sung in the chorus) with the words "dirty cocaine." Excellent song, hands down. The lyrics are at least moderately deep and thought provoking. I generally think of this song as a "no-nonsense" number about cocaine; the good, the bad, and the ugly (to use a very worn out cliché). |
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| Massive Attack – Group Four Lyrics | 13 years ago |
| Beautiful interpretation, ezekhiel2517! I never quite know what to make of this song, and I very much appreciate your insight. | |
| Santana – No One To Depend On Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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Only one comment on this song!? What's the deal? This is one of my favorite Santana songs. It simply rocks! The transitions and solos are really well done. Lyrics are almost nonexistent, but somehow they fit the music just perfectly; the music does the talking. It starts with in idea - I've got no one to depend one - and proceeds to express more and more intensively with sound. As the song builds, it goes back to the lyrics to reinforce the idea, then back to the music again. There seems to be a strong undertone of frustration in this song. I get the feeling that the subject of the song desperately wants someone to depend on, and someone to depend on him. He has a lot to give, but cannot find an outlet for his emotions, thus they grow and grow, and it is starting to drive him crazy. |
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| Santana – Winning Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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I like this tune a lot. I heard it on the radio a lot as a kid, but never knew which artists performed it. As I began to search for it on the internet & Santana came up, I figured it was a mistake. There was no way in my mind mind that this was a Santana song. Needless to say, I was wrong. I like the simplicity of the song. It's pretty mainstream/poppy for Santana, but they have produced some amazing and widely varying music over the years, so this one does not count against them. As far as interpretation goes, I agree with the previous comments. It seems to be about someone who had been going through a very tough time in life, and it really had an impact on his self-esteem. When he meets someone new, it changes his whole perspective. A part of me feels that this song is incomplete, insomuch that it needs another verse in order to conclude the story, or at least fill in some gaps. At the same time, part of the song's appeal that it doesn't really say much. Instead, it leaves the listener to to think the song through, and come away with his/her own interpretation. |
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| The Rolling Stones – Get Off Of My Cloud Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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I agree with most of the interpretations here, although a few are a bit out there. First off all, I believe the "cloud" being referred to is a psychological one (not a puff of pot smoke) - as in being on "cloud 9". JayCeezy - I believe the song is supposed to be from the perspective of the ordinary, working class Joe, not a rich rock star. This is one of my favorite Stones songs. Yeah, they got some flack for trying to come up with a quick follow-up to "Satisfaction", but little do I care. The song is great, very simple and easy to relate to (for me, anyhow). I used to think the second line of the first verse was "And I sit at home looking out the window Imagining the world outside", hehe. Which type of detergent pack is the guy at the door referring to? I'll take the 5 pounds if Mick doesn't want it ;) |
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| Santana – Evil Ways Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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Incorrect lyrics: When I come home... baby My house is dark and my THOUGHTS are cold Correct lyrics: When I come home... baby My house is dark and my POTS are cold ---------------------------------------- The boyfriend comes home, and his girlfriend isn't there. Instead, she's out with her friends. Thus, his house is dark and his pots are cold (i.e., she's not home cooking for him). His THOUGHTS may be cold as well, but the lyrics address the POTS issue. |
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| Massive Attack – Mezzanine Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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Very insightful interpretation, Wimmachine, and thanks for pointing out the errors in the lyrics. I could never fathom how the sexual references related to the rest of the song, the chorus in particular. Your interpretation, however, seems to bridge this gap in my mind. The references to sex establish that there is a physical relationship (a very intense one I presume, as 3D says "we'll go 'till morning comes"), yet the emotional/psychological bond is not quite there. The man clearly wants more from the woman (time, attention, and possibly commitment), but she is not making herself available. The man hopes that the sex will eventually lead to love & complete the relationship (all these half floors will lead to mine), but he is clearly frustrated in the meantime, since he wants what he wants now, not later. She is distancing herself from him, and he is hurt by this ("you know you've got that heart made of stone"). Out of his frustration comes the line, "Why don't you close your eyes and reinvent me" - meaning turn me into the perfect lover that you are searching for. Perhaps a way of saying, "You keep searching around, but I am here now, and I want you. Why won't you accept what I have to offer?" |
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| Ziggy Marley – Tomorrow People Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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I like the song, but the lyrics are vague and do not really explain themselves. The underlying theme seems to be a lack of past, and thus a lack of identity among contemporary youth. However, that's all that is really offered, and the lyrics simply repeat themselves. My question is why does Ziggy (presumably) take the position that today's youth are ignorant of their past? What is his evidence? Again, the song is a good one, but never really gets past the course in my opinion. Thus, it's somewhat of an incomplete/unfinished thought. |
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| Kenny Rogers – We've Got Tonight Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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No comments on this so far? I didn't even know this was a Kenny Rogers song, as I've always heard it on the live Bob Seger Album "Nine Tonight." I think the song is about a couple who has decided to go their separate ways (at least she has, as he says, "I know your plans don't include me." However, there are still mutual feelings of affection between them. While they might not have a future together, they can still share what they have between them now, tonight, regardless of what the future has in store. Hence, "We've got tonight, who needs tomorrow?" |
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| Led Zeppelin – D'yer Mak'er Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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Yes, the title is pronounced "Jamaica", not "Dyer Maker". The lyrics are rather vague, so interpretations will vary widely. At the simplest level, I agree the song is about a strained relationship, and the man, despite being hurt, does not want things to end. On a personal note, my first girlfriend lived over 300 miles away from me. After visiting her for a weekend, it was finally time to say goodbye, and we stood in front of my car, crying in each other's arms. I wanted nothing more than to stay with her, but circumstances made it impossible. I listed to this song over and over again on the long drive home, hearing Robert Plant sing "You don't have to go", but the reality was that I really did have to go. This song will always bring back memories of my first love, that particular visit with her, and the harsh reality of having to return home. |
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| Led Zeppelin – Rock and Roll Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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You mean this song is about sex? Noooo, really?? Yes, Led Zeppelin were criticized for making music that encompassed multiple genres, but not just straight rock and roll. So, this was there response, and if this song isn't rock and roll, I don't know what is. I've never seen/heard the commercial that people are referring to, which is probably a good thing. |
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| Bob Seger – Hollywood Nights Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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A very simple, yet effective song. There's not much debate about the subject matter as the lyrics are pretty much a straight narrative story - not a lot of euphemisms or puns to sort through or ponder. I always liked this song as a kid, but did really understand it until I got older. As a native Californian, I can relate to the mystique of Hollywood and how different California can be from the Heartland (or just about anywhere else in the country). I like the comment about how the young man ends up in limbo between two worlds, as I think this is very much the case. He is young and naive, still has the Midwest in his blood & his mindset, but has now seen a completely different world. He may return home, but his experience in California has changed him, thus, home will never seem quite the way it did before. Hence, "He spent all night staring down at the lights of LA, wondering if he could ever (figuratively) go home." |
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| Massive Attack – Mezzanine Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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I agree with Ladyburst insomuch that I think the correct lyrics are "all these half floors", and for the same reasons. I definitely do not think it is "all these other floors" - it just doesn't sound anything like that to me. When you consider the British accent, "floors" can sound very much like "flaws" to a non-British person, so I can see why some might think the lyrics are "all these have flaws." In any case, I think this song is amazing! It is very well arranged, intriguing, ambiguous and creepy. There are definitely references to sex, but there is also a lot of possible double meanings. In many case, commercially successful songs have ambiguous lyrics (U2 is an excellent example), allowing different people to have different interpretations. In my own opinion, this song is about relationship dynamics & sexual desire. |
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| Massive Attack – Light My Fire Lyrics | 14 years ago |
| This version doesn't do justice to the song. The singing is ok, but where's the music? | |
| Massive Attack – Dissolved Girl Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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Fantastic, and very powerful song... I think the song is about relationship in which is spark/honeymoon has passed. She is painfully aware of the fact that the relationship is no longer fulfilling, but continues to hold on (rather than leave), because it still provides some feelings of comfort. She "needs a little love to ease the pain", but the love and the pain and inexorably related. So she thinks back to the past, when the love was more fulfilling ("It's easy to remember when it came"), but is painfully aware that this does not suffice ("I could fake it but I still want more"). I am a man, but have felt similar to what is being described. It is a difficult place to be in. Sex and other forms of intimacy provide an escape, but ultimately lead deeper into obsessive, addictive, destructive behavior. We all long to be loved, and getting a taste of it feels so good, that you don't want to let go of it, even when you know it's gone (dissolved). |
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| Massive Attack – Angel Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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I certainly agree that this song is about obsessive love; fixation on another person, and the psychological pitfalls that inevitably result from it. If we were on speaking terms, I'd play this for my ex-girlfriend. She was beautiful, sexy, and captivating, but would not and could not give herself away to a man. It drove me crazy, but is was my own (un)doing. |
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