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.
My pain is self-chosen
At least, so the prophet says
I could either burn
Or cut off my pride and buy some time
A head full of lies is the weight, tied to my waist
The river of deceit pulls down, oh oh
The only direction we flow is down
Down, oh down
Down, oh down
Down, oh down
Down, oh down
My pain is self-chosen
At least I believe it to be
I could either drown
Or pull off my skin and swim to shore
Now I can grow a beautiful shell for all to see
The River of Deceit pulls down, yeah
The only direction we flow is down
Down, oh down
Down, oh down
Down, oh down
Down, oh down
The pain is self-chosen, yeah
Our pain is self-chosen
Down, oh down
Down, oh down
Down, oh down
Down, oh down
At least, so the prophet says
I could either burn
Or cut off my pride and buy some time
A head full of lies is the weight, tied to my waist
The river of deceit pulls down, oh oh
The only direction we flow is down
Down, oh down
Down, oh down
Down, oh down
Down, oh down
My pain is self-chosen
At least I believe it to be
I could either drown
Or pull off my skin and swim to shore
Now I can grow a beautiful shell for all to see
The River of Deceit pulls down, yeah
The only direction we flow is down
Down, oh down
Down, oh down
Down, oh down
Down, oh down
The pain is self-chosen, yeah
Our pain is self-chosen
Down, oh down
Down, oh down
Down, oh down
Down, oh down
Lyrics submitted by black_cow_of_death
River Of Deceit Lyrics as written by John Saunders Barrett Martin
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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Edouglass77, you deal in absolutions of assumption yet provide little more than the tired discourse of those who scream “heroin” in response to the poetic efforts of Staley. Any song Dougy, any song(all artists encompassed, AIC not lone), can be construed to fit the nature that it is in reference to addiction. If Staley’s addiction had been known to no other but himself, I doubt your company would exist in such large numbers. His music, this song in particular, can just as easily be seen as a “spiritual” song, the aspects left to further speculation. I pity individuals like yourself who will never see the true genius Staley gave us. He was of Poe, Goethe, Lovecraft…yet to you, simply another pathetic artist who wrote of nothing more than the cliché subjects of addiction and whatnot.
Furthering the idea, if the song is indeed of spiritual characteristic, the pain that came was not of his own accord,
“ AT LEAST, I believe it to be…"
I think this is one of the most beautiful songs ever recorded. Lyrically and musically. I feel the songs meaning can be interpreted many ways, drugs, spiritually or really whatever it is in a persons life that is weighing on their mind or conscience. Anyone can relate to the words, everyone has problems, or "weights". To me the song is about rebirth and shedding that pain. "Our pain is self chosen"....very true. In life, most of us are trying to shed some pain, all of which in some way, we have chosen.
i agree to some extent. however, i think it too easy to entertain that since in our own lifes(and those of people around us) pain is often self chosen, that this is thus universal truth.to know said theory as fact would require absolute knowledge, something which is scientifically impossible to come by. in any case, i personally do not presume to know the private circumstances of others, and therefore must logically adhere to the notion that there may indeed be others in the world who have not chosen the pain in their lives.
I feel that all our pain is self chosen, maybe not directly, but in some way the decisions we make at some point in our life will have actions and reactions. Your choice or action will effect you in some way sooner or later, good and bad.
for arguments sake, suppose the song is of spiritual, in relation, a desperate man who is cursed/forsaken by God ( a take on the song which is easily justifiable by the lyrics ). if this is indeed the case, be it in Staley's real life, or rather just a concept he fathomed, how would man have any "choice" in the matter when divine intervention was present? <br /> <br /> *for the sake of argument's sake, let us subtract God from the equation. Life is full of chaotic,meaningless events taking place at all times. Do you truly believe it impossible for a person to come by misfortune by means other than himself? Forgive me, but such a belief defies everyday life.<br /> <br />