saw it all fall apart in a mass hit. telephoned right before the heart quit, and we just stare. control's not enough, your lives aren't enough, cold poison the forms of your addiction calms to make us civil. paralyze this body to stake direction with chemicals and contract hits. feeding on me, paralyzed soul, giving me no way out. but are we ok? waving cars six dollar hauls make business. we learned a lot by burning out in smoketown. but are we ok? you're feeding on me, you're bound to let go and i'll just wait to make my move. do you believe what you are? gotta make it straight, gotta set it all off.


Lyrics submitted by justreed

Dying Midwestern song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

2 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    wow... no one commented on this song. well. i'm first. this song is simply amazing... i'm not referring to the lyrics (which.. honestly. i can't understand a word he says in the song.. and even reading them... they just don't really make all that much sense)

    its the feeling the song gives you... the buildup is wonderful.. and the whole song is just one big emotional release.. it just sounds like he's mourning.. the anguish just builds over the entire song until he's almost screaming.. mm emo.

    on a personal note.. my friend put this song on a mixtape for me (thats where i first heard it.) she's from kansas.. and it wasn't long after that she attempted suicide (thank god attempted)... but i guess she was a 'dying midwestern'... gives me chills every time.

    chiggson April 22, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song...it's so incredible-even if i really don't relate to the lyrics. I think it's talking about an addiction(maybe a drug addiction), and trying to make things straight again...I don't know, but I play this song more than I do any of the other ones. The rise is awesome, it's like if it keeps rising, and you really, really want to scream out the words-to try and be heard...I recommend this band for Anyone...but like I say, no music is perfect for everyone...if you don't like 'em, you've got reasons.

    Nikaidoon December 24, 2004   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
"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.
Album art
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
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.
Album art
Mountain Song
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."
Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
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,