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.
Agent orange skies
Hang bright above this high school gym
And they believe we're so happy young
and look like pink decorations
In our very best crystals
Oh, and how I wanted to dance
So badly
agent orange skies
Hang bright behind these factory lights
And jump the freight trains
We're fucking young
and look like pink decorations
In our crystal meth tuxedos
Oh, and how I wanted to dance
So badly
Hang bright above this high school gym
And they believe we're so happy young
and look like pink decorations
In our very best crystals
Oh, and how I wanted to dance
So badly
agent orange skies
Hang bright behind these factory lights
And jump the freight trains
We're fucking young
and look like pink decorations
In our crystal meth tuxedos
Oh, and how I wanted to dance
So badly
Lyrics submitted by vandalized
Agent Orange Skies Lyrics as written by Matthew Moore Devine
Lyrics © Royalty Network
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
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.
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."
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
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,
this song is bloody gorgeous. anyway:
this is probably somewhat irrelevant at this point but i agree with Bonavox--it's probably crystal meth... especially given that in the lyrics it SAYS crystal meth in the line "in our crystal meth tuxedos".
mostly, i second rachael.'s theory. i'm not entirely sure if agent orange really plays into it beyond the title, though i could just be crazy.
to me, personally, though, it's a song about enjoying things (love and life) under the influence of anything that makes it prettier. not so deep as it probably actually is, just a simple thing. that's just what it is to me, though.
This is my favorite KH song by far. This band rocks. Im lucky to live by Chicago so I have the chance to actually attend some of their concerts.
Kill hannah was introduced to me by a girl whom of which i know through the net. She lives in columbus and i am very grateful she visits Chi-town..anyways..this song is definitely about drugs. That is atleast my interpretation of it. i think it is about not being as innocent as you appear, about doing stuff so that no one knows, but in all actuality everyone knows. but no one will dare say anything to you. "agent orange skies hand bright above this highschool gym and the believe we're so happy young" making an agent orange sky a person, makes me believe it is about drug use
maybe E?...
wasted youth.
i'll go with the drug theory...maybe "meth" could be short for methadone? a drug taken by people who try to stop their heroin addiction.
i think it's actually crystal methamphetamine.. it's used a lot in clubs etc..
When i heard this song, i cry.. because im reminded of a forgot love story, where "drug induced" happiness is remember. Has anyone see the Welcome to Chicago DVD?
This song, for sure, is about this generation just getting messed up and enjoying the ride.
Mat Devine is big on drugs
It's funny that there's so many drug referances in KH stuff, since besides your standard boozing the guys aren't really into drugs.