
It's interesting when you watch the music video, you get the feeling that the song is about a wife or partner (the fallen angel) who has passed, perhaps during or after childbirth.
It's interesting when you watch the music video, you get the feeling that the song is about a wife or partner (the fallen angel) who has passed, perhaps during or after childbirth.
But reading more about the development of the song, which was written with Martin Page, it is about Robertson's former The Band bandmate Richard Manuel, who passed in the year before Robertson's 1987 eponymous album was released.
But reading more about the development of the song, which was written with Martin Page, it is about Robertson's former The Band bandmate Richard Manuel, who passed in the year before Robertson's 1987 eponymous album was released.
The chorus line "casts a shadow up against the sun" especially hits home for my experience of grief.
The chorus line "casts a shadow up against the sun" especially hits home for my experience of grief.
Such an evocative song.
Such an evocative song.

My own interpretation of this song, as someone with bipolar disorder and BPD. Her lyrics resonate so much with how I feel everyday, how I feel during manic episodes as well. The whole song, constantly describes losing control, feeling abandoned, "I guess I fear the fear of consequence, you say you'll leave me, but you'll be sorry, you are making me uneasy, you make me want to scream, i wish I was a dumb pop star, so the words wouldn't matter to you" these lyrics mean so much to me because it describes that feeling that I wouldn't even know...
My own interpretation of this song, as someone with bipolar disorder and BPD. Her lyrics resonate so much with how I feel everyday, how I feel during manic episodes as well. The whole song, constantly describes losing control, feeling abandoned, "I guess I fear the fear of consequence, you say you'll leave me, but you'll be sorry, you are making me uneasy, you make me want to scream, i wish I was a dumb pop star, so the words wouldn't matter to you" these lyrics mean so much to me because it describes that feeling that I wouldn't even know how to explain sometimes, wishing I can be something different, or shapeshift myself to please people or feel seen, fearing consequences especially after the mania is over. The feeling of wanting to runaway and just release yourself. And the last lyric, "Maybe I should let myself go, because this is so predictable" being so tired of feeling like this and constantly being on edge, as unpredictable as it seems when you're used to yourself and your issues it all kind of just fits into one blur and you just see things as black and white.

This song is about Plant's affair with his sister in-law. No big surprises, and the lyrical imagery is the only thing slightly mysterious about the song in any given way.
This song is about Plant's affair with his sister in-law. No big surprises, and the lyrical imagery is the only thing slightly mysterious about the song in any given way.

this song is about being let down by your loved ones, that could be your old friends (narcissic people that believe they made you : "Gimme any reason why I'd need you, bitch", meaning they believe youre nothing without them) or even by your own parents/people you looked up too ("My heroes are dead, they died in my head"). obviously the consequences of being treated like shit is feeling like shit : "I'm cold, I'm ugly". and people would deny your emotions, being sensitive would be seen as a flaw : "I'm always confused by everything" being said negatively. at...
this song is about being let down by your loved ones, that could be your old friends (narcissic people that believe they made you : "Gimme any reason why I'd need you, bitch", meaning they believe youre nothing without them) or even by your own parents/people you looked up too ("My heroes are dead, they died in my head"). obviously the consequences of being treated like shit is feeling like shit : "I'm cold, I'm ugly". and people would deny your emotions, being sensitive would be seen as a flaw : "I'm always confused by everything" being said negatively. at the end, the singer complains about getting his hopes too high and suffering from it : "Why am I so fascinated by Bigger pictures, better things" and "What the hell did I do to deserve all of this?". i think these last words say a lot. dreamers and usually deceived by reality, but the way it is written in this song is more like a demand for normality and not for a dream. people want what they deserve, and suffering from a bad life of which you don't see the reasons, makes the feeling of injustice ten times worse. sorry if some sentences sound awkward, english is not my first language

I have always thought that the fish were a bizarre peace offering to your love rival - but I heard from a good source, a few days ago, that the man-stealer is A MERMAID. It all makes perfect sense now! I came here to refresh myself on the lyrics after reading that snippet, so I thought I'd let the fans know while I'm at it.
I have always thought that the fish were a bizarre peace offering to your love rival - but I heard from a good source, a few days ago, that the man-stealer is A MERMAID. It all makes perfect sense now! I came here to refresh myself on the lyrics after reading that snippet, so I thought I'd let the fans know while I'm at it.

This song is a metaphor about liking a song but the underlying meaning seems that he liked a previous relationship that he had with someone. Very cleverly written.
This song is a metaphor about liking a song but the underlying meaning seems that he liked a previous relationship that he had with someone. Very cleverly written.

True story, I lived down the hall from S&J at Sunset and Gordon, hope they’re doing well. Jeffery played bass in Deprogrammer and had an amazing record collection, cool guy. They crashed into the outside wall of SIR Studios where Blondie was inside practicing, a kind of a punk Ethan Frome scenario. Blondie had a melody that needed lyrics and the song wrote itself on the spot.
True story, I lived down the hall from S&J at Sunset and Gordon, hope they’re doing well. Jeffery played bass in Deprogrammer and had an amazing record collection, cool guy. They crashed into the outside wall of SIR Studios where Blondie was inside practicing, a kind of a punk Ethan Frome scenario. Blondie had a melody that needed lyrics and the song wrote itself on the spot.

I am glad that what happens in 'Vegas' stays in 'Vegas'. This song rivals 'Me and my Monkey' by Robbie Willeams as a testimony to evil that places like Las Vegas represent. Great groove ... and evocative lyrics
I am glad that what happens in 'Vegas' stays in 'Vegas'. This song rivals 'Me and my Monkey' by Robbie Willeams as a testimony to evil that places like Las Vegas represent. Great groove ... and evocative lyrics

The protaganist is merely drug addled looking for a fix. Between schoolboy (coke) and snow (heroin) ... there is not much ambiguity. I do not think this is about a son. Daddy and his lost little angel are all metaphors for an adult relationship that has nowhere to go.
The protaganist is merely drug addled looking for a fix. Between schoolboy (coke) and snow (heroin) ... there is not much ambiguity. I do not think this is about a son. Daddy and his lost little angel are all metaphors for an adult relationship that has nowhere to go.
A song about a drug addict told with realism and a touch of sympathy. This song is a gut punch and a clear demonstration of the author's amazing talent at songwriting.
A song about a drug addict told with realism and a touch of sympathy. This song is a gut punch and a clear demonstration of the author's amazing talent at songwriting.