The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I've decided tonight
I'm staying alive
Just kicking and screaming
I'm, I'm staying alive
Blood boiling and streaming
There are things
Far to dark to comprehend
Sleep on it one more night
My sad old friend
Alive
I'm staying alive
Alive
I'm staying alive
Kicking and screaming
Blood boiling and streaming
Staying alive
Doo do doo do doo do doo do
The worst is over
I'm staying alive
Just kicking and screaming
I'm, I'm staying alive
Blood boiling and streaming
There are things
Far to dark to comprehend
Sleep on it one more night
My sad old friend
Alive
I'm staying alive
Alive
I'm staying alive
Kicking and screaming
Blood boiling and streaming
Staying alive
Doo do doo do doo do doo do
The worst is over
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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.
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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."
American Town
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Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
i was seriously debating killing myself, and i decided to listen to this song and i can honestly say it is one of the reason i decided not to. i listened to this song like 20 times in a row and it is one of the reasons i am sitting here writing this comment.
does this song evoke as much raw emotion from anyone else the way it does me? i have goosebumps and tears in my eyes.....tim is great. but this band as a whole is breathtaking.
This song is the reason I registered on SongMeanings.
I, tonight, in fact, broke up with my boyfriend. Just a mere 3 hours ago. Our relationship had lasted over a year. After he left, I immediately turned on this song. Everything in this song was perfect for the way I was feeling:
"I've decided tonight, I'm staying alive." "There are things far too dark to comprehend." "The worst is over."
I'd be lying if I said this wasn't the most amazing song ever created. Instrumentally and lyrically, it is the perfect song ever written.
I have never felt this way about a song before. Every time I hear it, it gives me the chills.
i'm 45, english and a pussy maybe.. cos this track is IT. ps i also signed up to this website in order to comment on this awesome band.
Perfect.
this song sounds like the good.
this song is simple but so true. you come to the point where you just have to decide to push through. it never hurts to be optimistic.
word BFD
One of the things I love most about this album is the reoccurance of the little "Doo do Doo do Doo do Doo do" ditty. Its also on a song called 'Nonsense' that isn't on the album, followed by "It doesn't matter now, what the song's about". I feel like the repeating of it at the end of the album is like him reiterating that to himself, that he is more important that what he creates.
this song is beautiful.