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.
The king of the swinging moods is back in town
And everybody's tip-toeing around him
Surround him, as he
pounds a silver hammer
Drops revolutionary grammar
Concerning the burning of city hall
And urban sprawl and decay
(getting so old)
Farewell to the day
Of having it both ways
(So old)
Hell is other people
And some people never learn
When optimism fails
And my cooler head prevails
I will meet you at the point of diminishing returns
Down in the abstract
Looking for a concrete artifact
Something to hold on to
Not one more thing to believe in
Stuck in a fallback
And fighting off a heart attack
And you're so tangible
Like a nitroglycerin tablet
Under my tongue
(getting so old)
Farewell to the day
Of having it both ways
(so old)
The boom's a bust out
And thanks for your concern
When pessimism fails and
My cooler head prevails
I will meet you at the point of diminishing returns
And progress shall be defined
By your position on the bridge
As it burns
When populism, activism, urbanism fail
My cooler head, my cooler head will prevail
When there are no more gods left to anoint
No more noses to bend out of joint
I'm gonna meet you at the point of diminishing returns
(getting so old)
Farewell to the day
Of having it both ways
(So old)
Hell is other people
Some people never learn
(getting so old)
Farewell to the day
Of having it both ways
(so old)
When optimism fails
And my cooler head prevails
I will meet you at the point of diminishing returns
And everybody's tip-toeing around him
Surround him, as he
pounds a silver hammer
Drops revolutionary grammar
Concerning the burning of city hall
And urban sprawl and decay
(getting so old)
Farewell to the day
Of having it both ways
(So old)
Hell is other people
And some people never learn
When optimism fails
And my cooler head prevails
I will meet you at the point of diminishing returns
Down in the abstract
Looking for a concrete artifact
Something to hold on to
Not one more thing to believe in
Stuck in a fallback
And fighting off a heart attack
And you're so tangible
Like a nitroglycerin tablet
Under my tongue
(getting so old)
Farewell to the day
Of having it both ways
(so old)
The boom's a bust out
And thanks for your concern
When pessimism fails and
My cooler head prevails
I will meet you at the point of diminishing returns
And progress shall be defined
By your position on the bridge
As it burns
When populism, activism, urbanism fail
My cooler head, my cooler head will prevail
When there are no more gods left to anoint
No more noses to bend out of joint
I'm gonna meet you at the point of diminishing returns
(getting so old)
Farewell to the day
Of having it both ways
(So old)
Hell is other people
Some people never learn
(getting so old)
Farewell to the day
Of having it both ways
(so old)
When optimism fails
And my cooler head prevails
I will meet you at the point of diminishing returns
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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.
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No Surprises
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Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
diminishing returns is of course an economic concept but can apply to many many areas of human action. its the point where further production, effort, etc. becomes counterproductive as costs outweigh benefits. Seems to be about finding a balance between, generally, optimism/pessimism, and philosophical or political points of diminishing returns. The rest of the lyrics fill out this concept nicely and speak for themselves.
I like to thing of this song as a look at a broken society suffering from chaotic political unrest. It ties nicely into the theme of diminishing returns, where, the more solutions that are tried ("populism, activism, urbanism ") the worse the situation becomes. People have tried praying to many "gods" but none have come to their rescue. Further effort becomes futile after the point of diminishing returns.
Yet, when a point of balance between extremes can be found, the "cooler head will prevail". So cool.
This song is about someone who is a young radical/revolutionary kid. When the young radical is done with all the silly movements and sees they don't accomplish anything, the other (rational/cynical) person in the song will be waiting for him/her - when all the radical adventuring is done!
@threeleggeddog Which is a common theme in Harvey Danger songs.
they lyrics seem a little wrong, and i thought they had them on the official site, but i guess not. perhaps they were with my download, but i deleted everything but a few songs, and this was one.
anyway, i think he says "the king of the swingin' moods" and "surround him as he/pounds a silver hammer" also "the boom's a bustout" like in the stockmarket. the rest looks right to me.
as for meaning, i actually look at this from a romantic relationship standpoint. perhaps because the first time i heard it, i was introduced to it by my ex, with whom i hoped to get back together.
i felt like he had all these grand ideas, about life and his own future, but i knew that we were good for eachother. or at least good enough, thus wanting to meet him at the point of diminishing returns. lol
i think these lyrics are genius.
p.s. we did. lol