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 want it all (I want it all, yeah)
I want it all (I want it all, yeah)
[Tim Armstrong]
Some come hoping to bleed it
Some look up but don't see it
Some are stand up and some seated
Some will take and some leave it
If you're talking shit you're gonna get it
I ain't the one to regret it
I said what I said, so believe it
You were humble, kid, now you're conceited
Ha
I should have known all along
Fuck 'em
I want it all (I want it all, yeah)
I want it all (I want it all, yeah)
[Skinhead Rob]
So what, I got a little wet, more than just a little bit
Lost at the pharmacy, Ambien to Riddlin
Found the ladies, love the pills, give it to 'em, skip the meals
On her toes designer heals, expensive habit, flex the deals
It's there for the taking I'll go out myself
Or else I'll be forever waiting after somebody else
You've seen me get mine so why should I pay?
I'd rather rob the dope spots and take their profits away
I want it all (I want it all, yeah)
I want it all (I want it all, yeah)
[Tim Armstrong]
I always confront the approaching
Previous experience is like I get a notion
And I imagine the impending
It's a-me walking away and it's a-your life ending
And when the crew is falling
And you sit by the phone all alone no one calling
No longer sprawling, no one trawling
Beaten up, broken down and apawling
And you wanted it all
But you end up with nothing
Ain't that something
I want it all (I want it all, yeah)
I want it all (I want it all, yeah)
I want it all, yeah
I want it all (I want it all, yeah)
[Tim Armstrong]
Some come hoping to bleed it
Some look up but don't see it
Some are stand up and some seated
Some will take and some leave it
If you're talking shit you're gonna get it
I ain't the one to regret it
I said what I said, so believe it
You were humble, kid, now you're conceited
Ha
I should have known all along
Fuck 'em
I want it all (I want it all, yeah)
I want it all (I want it all, yeah)
[Skinhead Rob]
So what, I got a little wet, more than just a little bit
Lost at the pharmacy, Ambien to Riddlin
Found the ladies, love the pills, give it to 'em, skip the meals
On her toes designer heals, expensive habit, flex the deals
It's there for the taking I'll go out myself
Or else I'll be forever waiting after somebody else
You've seen me get mine so why should I pay?
I'd rather rob the dope spots and take their profits away
I want it all (I want it all, yeah)
I want it all (I want it all, yeah)
[Tim Armstrong]
I always confront the approaching
Previous experience is like I get a notion
And I imagine the impending
It's a-me walking away and it's a-your life ending
And when the crew is falling
And you sit by the phone all alone no one calling
No longer sprawling, no one trawling
Beaten up, broken down and apawling
And you wanted it all
But you end up with nothing
Ain't that something
I want it all (I want it all, yeah)
I want it all (I want it all, yeah)
I want it all, yeah
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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
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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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.
Dreamwalker
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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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."