This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
I'll come down to get you high
Or maybe sing you a lullaby
Sing you to sleep, a sleep you'll never wake from
Sing you to coma so to speak
When I fall down I'll fall apart
Trade in my bike for a shopping cart
And beg change from a world that needs some
Like I need someone
So where are you my little needle?
The stack's been burned away
But I'm so inebriated that I cannot see
Three feet in front of me
Between the moon and you, lunacy is setting in
Lately I've been feeling dead inside
Like my guts have dried up and died
But every night I water them back to life
Yeah every night I water them back to life
When I fall down I'll fall apart
Trade in my bike for a shopping cart
And beg change from a world that needs some
I'm tired of sleeping alone
So where are you my little needle?
The stack's been burned away
But I'm so inebriated that I cannot see
Three feet in front of me
Between the moon and you, lunacy is setting in
Or maybe sing you a lullaby
Sing you to sleep, a sleep you'll never wake from
Sing you to coma so to speak
When I fall down I'll fall apart
Trade in my bike for a shopping cart
And beg change from a world that needs some
Like I need someone
So where are you my little needle?
The stack's been burned away
But I'm so inebriated that I cannot see
Three feet in front of me
Between the moon and you, lunacy is setting in
Lately I've been feeling dead inside
Like my guts have dried up and died
But every night I water them back to life
Yeah every night I water them back to life
When I fall down I'll fall apart
Trade in my bike for a shopping cart
And beg change from a world that needs some
I'm tired of sleeping alone
So where are you my little needle?
The stack's been burned away
But I'm so inebriated that I cannot see
Three feet in front of me
Between the moon and you, lunacy is setting in
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Mountain Song
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Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
This one guy told me he thinks this song is about doing drugs, but to me it toally means something different. I totally think it is about finding the one person totally right for you. Finding your little needle in a hay stack of people,lol. I know it sounds dumb, but oh well. Thats what I think it means.
i agree. but i think matt has deliberately written it in a way so that it has both of those meanings.
He's feeling lost and confused, and basically disappointed with the life he leads and the world in general. He believes life is like a huge haystack, and his one soulmate (the little needle) is somewhere, and he needs that one person. And he believes that finding her will be the equivalence of the world finding peace.
It's about love. Sorry if that's not punk rock enough for you hardcore dudes. Matt Skiba has said in various interviews that he often compares love to heroin addiction. And, NO, he was never a heroin addict.
It's not about "thinking too deeply" -- it's about realizing nothing is simple. Did it hurt your brains too much to decipher the metaphors? (rolls eyes)
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From a 2011 article by David B. Anthony about misunderstood songs/lyrics:
Alkaline Trio – “My Little Needle”
In its infancy, Alkaline Trio was known as much for its members’ love of substances as its music. Vocalists Matt Skiba and Dan Andriano made numerous references to drinking and drugs, so it was no surprise to find a song called “My Little Needle” on the band’s debut Goddamnit. Opening with, “I’ll come down and get you high,” it seems obvious the song is about a literal needle, and descriptions of withdrawal make an ever stronger case. It wasn’t until 2008 when the album was rereleased that a bonus documentary cleared the air. The song’s chorus, “So where are you, my little needle/ The stacks been burned away but I’m so inebriated” finally made sense, it was not about addiction, but finding true love—the “needle in the haystack.”
this was the first alkaline trio song i had ever heard, and it started my love affair with this band + their incredible lyrics. the metaphors on this song + just the way they word things blows my mind!
God don't ge tme started here. I love this one so much....
alkaline trio are awesome. their lyrics mean so much more than what is said
Holy fuck..... this song is way too fucking good. I honestly do not understand how Matt Skiba can be so fucking incredibly talented and intelligent. Fuck.
I was thinking about this song and I totally agree with you Katers. I think it is about finding the right person for you. The reference to the stack being burned away and being to drunk to see 3 feet in front of him is saying that even when you find that person you might just let them slip away.
Well, I used to think that 'needle' meant something else, but after reading Katers' message, I totally agree. This song is about finding the right one for you -- the needle in the haystack -- but for a multitude of reasons, not being able to find her.
The odd thing is I dont think that Matt intended for all of that to mean what you guys said it dose. I do agree with you however