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'm walking young and strong
But just a little too thin
I may be happy,
But I don't have a clue to this life
In my mind
Stay with me
We could learn to fight
Like every good boy should
Cling to me
We are blacked-out
In visions of China tonight
I'm building heroes again
I never thought of before
I remember the fashion
But don't have a clue
To this life
In my mind
Stay with me
We could learn to fight
Like every good boy should
Cling to me
We are blacked-out
In visions of China tonight
We walk backwards, say nothing
My visions of China
We're young and strong in this party
We're building/ living our visions of China
But just a little too thin
I may be happy,
But I don't have a clue to this life
In my mind
Stay with me
We could learn to fight
Like every good boy should
Cling to me
We are blacked-out
In visions of China tonight
I'm building heroes again
I never thought of before
I remember the fashion
But don't have a clue
To this life
In my mind
Stay with me
We could learn to fight
Like every good boy should
Cling to me
We are blacked-out
In visions of China tonight
We walk backwards, say nothing
My visions of China
We're young and strong in this party
We're building/ living our visions of China
Lyrics submitted by marquicerise
Visions of China Lyrics as written by Steven Jansen David Sylvian
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
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."
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
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Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Nobody's commented so I'll have a go.
There's strong allusions to Maoist propaganda and Chinese communist party membership/affiliation in the lyrics, which speak from the point of view of a participant. But there's two interpretations one could take. The first is that it's literally about a Chinese person, perhaps at the time of the cultural revolution (1966-76), but the other - which I prefer - is that it's lampooning Western student maoists in the early 80s. Being a maoist was a popular pose for the young 'dissident' student in UK universities and elsewhere at that point, and had been since the 1960s.
Walking young and strong / but just a little too thin - one of the consequences of Mao's policies was widespread hunger in China, but then your average western student didn't have a great diet either. The protagonist is prone to romanticise his situation, and his inspiration in China, and conflate the two.
I may be happy / but I don't have a clue / to this life - the protagonist is on a search for meaning in his life. Adopting an out of context ideology and struggle from a far off country is one way of getting that, without any danger of actually succeeding in starting a revolution.
Stay with me / we could learn to fight - here the protagonist addresses a romantic interest: Join in the struggle together! Now, it's a noted characteristic of people who are romantically involved together in a struggle really bond through it, and can fall very deeply in love. If you're romantically inclined - and the average student maoist would have to be - then how better to get together and fall in love than by joining the struggle together.
We are blacked out in visions of China tonight - I think here he's alluding to his room, festooned with socialist realist posters and 'blacked out' from the outside. The setting for seduction, hoping to get it on with the object of his affection tonight.
The next verse is total satire of this guy. Pinpointing him as someone with great pretensions but pretty low intellect. In love with the ideas without any idea of the context or history of what he espouses. Sometimes I've seen the first line as "I'm burning heroes" rather than "building", which would also make sense - one of the worst aspects of the cultural revolution was the iconoclastic assault on previously venerated people, ideas, and institutions by the young of China without regard to their value. Something which was very cool to angry young men everywhere at the time.
We walk backwards / say nothing - I'm not too sure of this, but I'm inclined to think this is critical of Western communists backing away from the worst excesses of their overseas idols without addressing or taking responsibility for their errors.
We're young and strong in this Party - but don't let it ever stop you from venerating yourself and your struggle. We're young, we're strong, we're different, we'll change the world when exams are over.