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.
If there's been a way to build it,
There'll be a way to destroy it,
Things are not all that out of control.
There'll be a way to destroy it,
Things are not all that out of control.
Lyrics submitted by weezerific:cutlery
Crest Lyrics as written by Timothy John Gane Laetitia Sadier
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Light Up The Sky
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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."
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
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."
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Amazing
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Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
this songs means everything to me
I met an Italian girl at the concert last week in NYC, she went on about how much she loved this song and wished they would play it. They didn't, but I made a new friend.
coincido con el medio!
This is about rampant Capitalism & it's role in the current out of control global economic/political problems & the ecological issues related to it. Stereolab, while never admitting to being Marxist, have written many songs about the obvious problems of the Capitalist system. This is a call of hope that the current situation of the ever strengthening grip of neo liberal capitalism can be deconstructed.
When I hear this song, I think of the toothpaste brand. Ahh! The refreshing mint exhilarations. As I am brushing I also ponder what @nthony has said below about capitalism. But I don't think Stereolab are THAT academic and serious. realitysoldier's comment below provides an important counterpoint. There is a satirical, sarcastic tone present in these words. How naïvely idealistic and pollyanna one must be to tout these lyrics literally. Indeed it is absurd to consider one individual, small group or movement could take on a global political and economic system with the intent to correct it, to reformat it, and even “to destroy it.” There are many historical examples where such attempts have failed miserably, only adding to the problem. I believe the events of 9/11 are one such example.
These lyrics sound like some kind of logical truth: if something can be built, therefore it must be able to be unbuilt. If you can add 2 things together, then we should be able to subtract one, right?. When applied to society at large, this view is so myopic–yet terse and concise like a haiku–that it makes me think Stereolab are just playing around with ideas to get people to think from a different point of view. I don’t think they actually believe it’s that easy or simple to just undo the global economic order. Nor do I think they believe there is nothing to be concerned/alarmed about in our world, ie. that “things are not all that out of control.” Question is: how out-of-control do things need to be to be that out-of-control?
Even though I'm sure it wasn't written with this in mind, I love to quote this song to global warming alarmists :-D
The song itself is certainly about/directed at alarmists or anxiety-ridden people of any kind.
@realitysoldier how does 2011 man miss the mark on the world's simplest lyrics