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.
He used to walk with Jessica
Down to the diner
They'd sit and talk for hours
About nothin' in particular
Just bullshit the time away
That's what she used to say
She'd wrinkle her nose when she said it
That's how you know she meant it
Jessica
Jessica
She'd call him at nine a.m.
To see how sleep had been treatin' him
And though they were never lovers
They were soulmates under cover
They'd drink beer and sit around
Or just sit still and not make a sound
And he would shudder to think
Of what life would be like
Without his best friend -slash- shrink
Jessica
Bridge:
She's an angel at his table
Forced to feel but not to see
Blinded by her absence
Haunted by her memory
If only you were able to see the angel at your table
He got a phone call
From her mother
He said, "Yeah, right stop kidding around."
He felt his heart fall to the ground
Since then everyday
Seems to feel like winter
Everything is colorless
As he can't see it with her
Jessica
Jessica
He could easily have been with her
Driving home in the car
It was her birthday
It's sick how things work out that way
Now at night when he sleeps
A watch over him she keeps
She whispers in his ear
For his heart to hear
Jessica
Jessica
It's amazing how a soul can leave
Suddenly from a body
Rendering it useless
And stealing its desire to breathe
One moment here then gone
With no forwarding address
Love no longer has a house
Residence in flesh
Religion without a temple
No place to take your worship to
No God for the eyes to see
No fruit to lay at the feet
of Jessica
Jessica
If only you were able to see
The angel at your table
Then you'd understand why
You never got to say goodbye
To Jessica
There's no such word as goodbye
For Jessica
She's always standing by
Jessica
Down to the diner
They'd sit and talk for hours
About nothin' in particular
Just bullshit the time away
That's what she used to say
She'd wrinkle her nose when she said it
That's how you know she meant it
Jessica
Jessica
She'd call him at nine a.m.
To see how sleep had been treatin' him
And though they were never lovers
They were soulmates under cover
They'd drink beer and sit around
Or just sit still and not make a sound
And he would shudder to think
Of what life would be like
Without his best friend -slash- shrink
Jessica
Bridge:
She's an angel at his table
Forced to feel but not to see
Blinded by her absence
Haunted by her memory
If only you were able to see the angel at your table
He got a phone call
From her mother
He said, "Yeah, right stop kidding around."
He felt his heart fall to the ground
Since then everyday
Seems to feel like winter
Everything is colorless
As he can't see it with her
Jessica
Jessica
He could easily have been with her
Driving home in the car
It was her birthday
It's sick how things work out that way
Now at night when he sleeps
A watch over him she keeps
She whispers in his ear
For his heart to hear
Jessica
Jessica
It's amazing how a soul can leave
Suddenly from a body
Rendering it useless
And stealing its desire to breathe
One moment here then gone
With no forwarding address
Love no longer has a house
Residence in flesh
Religion without a temple
No place to take your worship to
No God for the eyes to see
No fruit to lay at the feet
of Jessica
Jessica
If only you were able to see
The angel at your table
Then you'd understand why
You never got to say goodbye
To Jessica
There's no such word as goodbye
For Jessica
She's always standing by
Jessica
Lyrics submitted by Ice
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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.
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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."
This song makes me think of the relationship my friend and I have.. even though sometimes he makes me upset, I'll always be there to take care of him.