In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Say you're gonna leave me
'Cause I only tie you up
I always loved you tender
But you only like it rough
Woman bound for glory
Why you're leavin' me again?
Gonna pack your bags
And leave this house of pain
Heartaches all around me
How many times we tried
Said she tried to leave me
But her hands were always tied
If I had it all to do
I'd keep it just the same
Gonna fix it so you never leave
This house of pain
Uh uh uh
Uh uh uh
Uh uh uh
Uh uh uh, ow
'Cause I only tie you up
I always loved you tender
But you only like it rough
Woman bound for glory
Why you're leavin' me again?
Gonna pack your bags
And leave this house of pain
Heartaches all around me
How many times we tried
Said she tried to leave me
But her hands were always tied
If I had it all to do
I'd keep it just the same
Gonna fix it so you never leave
This house of pain
Uh uh uh
Uh uh uh
Uh uh uh
Uh uh uh, ow
Lyrics submitted by UseYourIllusion
House Of Pain Lyrics as written by Edward Van Halen Alex Van Halen
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Great.
Best song on 1984.
it's about trying to love a woman that hates you, I think.
Early recording of Van Halen's sci fi-horror epic 'House of Pain', recorded at the Starwood, Los Angeles. This is the original version of the song which was inspired by the 1932 film "Island of Lost Souls" starring Bela Lugosi, and showcases a progressive, radio-unfriendly side of Van Halen that would be abandoned shortly after they signed with Warner Bros, just a few weeks after this recording. The song was then shelved for seven years and when it finally resurfaced on the '1984' album it was extensively rewritten with the sci-fi theme eliminated. Van Halen performed this version of the song in their live sets from about mid-1976 through early 1977, and the intro featured an extended solo by Eddie which eventually became known as 'Eruption'. On this gig Eddie was using a pale mint-green Gibson ES 335 and his white Ibanez Destroyer, neither of which had a whammy bar. For the record, I was at this gig, and no 'strat'' of any kind was used. This recording is a digital transer from the Starwood soundboard master. Apologies--the 'Eruption' intro has not been included in order to accomodate YouTube's time limit.
youtube.com/watch
I think it's obviously about a girl who's into bondage, but he's not.
@DanVitaleRocks I reckon it's the other way round. The first person voice in this song is a psycho, keeping his girl literally tied up so she can't leave.