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.
Silence is empty, filled with breaths from mouths
That never move no more
She talked some more, she talks now
And all the lights went out in empty rooms
And now the empty hall
I talk alone, I talk now
And all I wanted was a Chance to see you anyway
Hold me, fold me up in your arms
Faster, my love, sinking and gone
I was aware the time, I was a son before I met you dear
I talk alone, I talk now
And all the lights go out in empty rooms
And now the dirty hall
I talked alone, I talk now
And all I wanted was a Chance to see you anyway
Hold me, fold me up in your arms
Faster, my love, shrinking and gone
Hold me, my love
Telling me don't be afraid
Wouldn't you want me to swim
Wouldn't you want me to stay?
Hold me my love
Telling me won't be afraid
Wouldn't you want me to swim
Wouldn't you want me to stay
That never move no more
She talked some more, she talks now
And all the lights went out in empty rooms
And now the empty hall
I talk alone, I talk now
And all I wanted was a Chance to see you anyway
Hold me, fold me up in your arms
Faster, my love, sinking and gone
I was aware the time, I was a son before I met you dear
I talk alone, I talk now
And all the lights go out in empty rooms
And now the dirty hall
I talked alone, I talk now
And all I wanted was a Chance to see you anyway
Hold me, fold me up in your arms
Faster, my love, shrinking and gone
Hold me, my love
Telling me don't be afraid
Wouldn't you want me to swim
Wouldn't you want me to stay?
Hold me my love
Telling me won't be afraid
Wouldn't you want me to swim
Wouldn't you want me to stay
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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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There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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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."
Nice song..I watched on CSI Miami too...today..I liked it. I love the description of silence at the beginning.
It's a little confusing..I'm going to listen to it a couple more times before I come to some sort of an idea on what it's about. It's about love, yeah but sort of depressing..
--Angel