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.
I will light the match this morning so I won't be alone
Watch as she lies silent
For soon light will be gone
Oh I will stand arms outstretched pretend I'm free to roam
Oh I will make my way through one more day in hell
How much difference does it make?
How much difference does it make yeah
I will hold the candle till it burns up my arm
Oh I'll keep takin' punches until their will grows tired
Oh I will stare the sun down until my eyes go blind
Hey, I won't change direction
And I won't change my mind
How much difference does it make?
How much difference does it make?
I'll swallow poison, until I grow immune
I will scream my lungs out till it fills this room
How much difference?
How much difference?
How much difference does it make?
How much difference does it make?
Watch as she lies silent
For soon light will be gone
Oh I will stand arms outstretched pretend I'm free to roam
Oh I will make my way through one more day in hell
How much difference does it make?
How much difference does it make yeah
I will hold the candle till it burns up my arm
Oh I'll keep takin' punches until their will grows tired
Oh I will stare the sun down until my eyes go blind
Hey, I won't change direction
And I won't change my mind
How much difference does it make?
How much difference does it make?
I'll swallow poison, until I grow immune
I will scream my lungs out till it fills this room
How much difference?
How much difference?
How much difference does it make?
How much difference does it make?
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Dreamwalker
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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."
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."
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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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.
For me it's about someone who's quite stubborn and cannot be influenced by what others think about the way he chose to go. Someone who is abondened by his friends and family maybe for that way he chose. But still - he is standing there, takes their punches as long as it will take until they will stop to come down on him. He will not unlight the candle of his own will and direction, even if it means he will get hurt, he's staring the sun down even if his eyes will get blind, swalling the shit they put on him until it doesn't hurt him anymore. For me all that means he will make his way and stand behind his decision - whatever he will have to face and to go through. What they do does not make any difference to him and his way. That's encouraging.
@Bren_a Not so much stubborn as smart? If a person is wronged by another person(s) and then gives in to feelings of hatred for them, it only does further damage to the wronged person. Maybe it means it means it is smarter to cultivate feelings of indifference towards anyone that does you wrong.
i think it says that when you are really down, nothing can make a difference, nothing can stop the pain
hmm i wouldn't know exactly what's it about but feels like someone who is in a lot of emotional pain and thinking bout some suicide action or what will be a substitute for the pain it is feeling. Could as well be on automutilating. Seeking physical pain for getting your mind of emotional pain.
i def think this song is about a guy in a relationship that he's just not into anymore, but what's the difference. it's not horrible so why go through with the bullshit of a breakup. better to just suck it up and deal with the bullshit that just doesn't seem as bad
I think this song talks about how humans can delight in their sadness. "Oh i will make my way thought, one day more in hell" I can destroy myself, whatever, how much difference it makes. I don't care at all, life is a hell for me. This is how i understand this very sad song.
This song just oozes desperation and futility, Pearl Jam are by far one of the most talented bands at conveying emotions musically.
This is a song of regret for me. It's like watching a train wreck in slow motion and giving in to the thought that you can't do anything to stop it from happening. He has perspective of what his actions are doing to those around him, but he is indifferent. This is a man that is unable to swallow his pride and admit he is wrong in the way he is living. It seems like he has thoughts of remorse and regret, but they never manifest into something more... he can't do what he knows to be the right thing. He is stubborn. He is weary despite identifying with someone who cannot be hurt. He is sad for what he is. He regrets his decisions, but in his world, a mask can hide his pain. I think this song should be looked at in a little different light from just him being hard-headed. He has a conscience but is unable or unwilling to follow it.
I think it's about losing love. Also about how your live is changed when there isn't anybody in your life anymore.
I was able to download a video file of Eddie and Ben Harper playing this song together. It's incredible.
To me this song is about loneliness... The kind of loneliness you feel even in the company of beloved ones...
I believe this song is about the battles in life that cannot be won, but must be fought. Whether it's a quest for justice, the environment, against poverty, for tolerance, love, whatever. This song is about picking your battle, and letting the fight define you. You know you can't win, but that doesn't matter. The fight is so precious, whatever it is, that you must fight.
I feel this song is about futility. It doesn't matter what he does. It won't make a difference. He could scream all he wants, suffer all the pain in the world, and nothing would change the circumstances.