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.
As I follow you, where will you lead me
To the ends of the world
Or is that just the beginning
I've rolled through villages
And done my best to pass on your name
How much is too much
How far is too far
As I push on and leave everything behind
The front line swears I'm going into battle blind
A life dedicated to what I can't see
Still grasping what I was told to believe
What kind of cruel truth only presents itself
In the moment you die
In the moment you die
The facts are becoming less and less transparent
Constantly mixed with the thoughts of the incoherent
Dig deep, they're hidden beneath centuries of dust and dirt
Covered up by the evolution of the earth
I'm struggling with the blessing of the unseen
It's harder and harder to not be accusing
Continuing to draw the lines of acceptance
I'm trying and trying to translate the evidence
Why do we owe anyone repentance, repentance
While seeking answers to these questions, these questions
Why do we owe anyone repentance, repentance
While seeking answers to these questions, questions
We don't owe, we don't owe
We don't owe, we don't owe
Anyone repentance
We don't owe, we don't owe, repentance
As I follow you, where will you lead me
To the ends of the world, or is that just the beginning
The only time you'll ever know if you chose the right side
Is when you close your eyes for the very last time
Question, all that you knew
Question, It's how you'll find the truth
Question, question
It will only make you stronger
Question, all that you knew
Question, It's how you'll find the truth
Question, question
It will only make you stronger
To the ends of the world
Or is that just the beginning
I've rolled through villages
And done my best to pass on your name
How much is too much
How far is too far
As I push on and leave everything behind
The front line swears I'm going into battle blind
A life dedicated to what I can't see
Still grasping what I was told to believe
What kind of cruel truth only presents itself
In the moment you die
In the moment you die
The facts are becoming less and less transparent
Constantly mixed with the thoughts of the incoherent
Dig deep, they're hidden beneath centuries of dust and dirt
Covered up by the evolution of the earth
I'm struggling with the blessing of the unseen
It's harder and harder to not be accusing
Continuing to draw the lines of acceptance
I'm trying and trying to translate the evidence
Why do we owe anyone repentance, repentance
While seeking answers to these questions, these questions
Why do we owe anyone repentance, repentance
While seeking answers to these questions, questions
We don't owe, we don't owe
We don't owe, we don't owe
Anyone repentance
We don't owe, we don't owe, repentance
As I follow you, where will you lead me
To the ends of the world, or is that just the beginning
The only time you'll ever know if you chose the right side
Is when you close your eyes for the very last time
Question, all that you knew
Question, It's how you'll find the truth
Question, question
It will only make you stronger
Question, all that you knew
Question, It's how you'll find the truth
Question, question
It will only make you stronger
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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."
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."
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
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 is quite an open ended song about religion. It is telling us to ask those questions, not to be afraid, not to be "blind to our faith". Quite a refreshing look at religion from a band that typically has very strong Christian doctrines included in their lyrics.
Ironically this song is quite hypocritical of their "Marathon" song, which pretty much has the band singing about spending their life trying to find God.
I do like the lines:
"What kind of cruel truth only presents itself In the moment you die?"
Does really make you wonder ... billions spend their whole life in preparation of the afterlife (with no certainties). Personally I would hope the gods would be more worried about you living a full and happy life than being so worried about the afterlife and worshiping them.
@sokorny "The only time you'll ever know if you chose the right side<br /> Is when you close your eyes for the very last time<br /> Question, all that you knew<br /> Question, It's how you'll find the truth<br /> Question, question<br /> It will only make you stronger<br /> Question, all that you knew<br /> Question, It's how you'll find the truth<br /> Question, question<br /> It will only make you stronger"<br /> <br /> you got one part of the song correct but the above quote is the main part. The song is full of doubt in your faith but in the end it says that it is ok to doubt because thatll only make your faith stronger.