| The Associates – Breakfast Lyrics | 1 year ago |
| Isn’t it “to suit a lever who’ll never want to stay”? | |
| Siouxsie and the Banshees – Israel Lyrics | 1 year ago |
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So, I am not COMPLETELY sure what this song is about, BUT I am commenting because most people here don’t seem to either and, at least, I have very good insight into some of the religious imagery here, because of my profession. Siouxsie, herself, said it is not just about religion. She went on to say it’s about disillusionment, seeing the suffering that so many are blind to. Seeing the hypocrisy in the world and trying to find hope within it. I am paraphrasing. I think Israel symbolises a broken promised land. A place for peace, that has brought anything but! It is not a Zionist song. In fact, most of the images are Christian. Hear me out, “do they sing happy Noel?“ Noel means Christmas. End of. It comes from the Old French word for Christmas, Noël, which comes from the Latin natalis, meaning birth (birth of Christ). Orphans singing in the snow. OK, it occasionally snows in the north of Israel, but very rarely. This line makes me think of groups like Montreal Accueil Bonneau Choir and the World Orphan Choir (and basically, Victorian England). Orphans singing at Christmas time to raise money. The line “turn blood into wine” is about turning pain into something good. And it also plays on the Roman Catholic belief of transubstantiation in which wine is turned into the blood of Christ. Which I think is very clever but, unfortunately, goes over a lot of peoples heads. Red and green are the colours of Christmas, but also the colours of the Palestinian flag as some have pointed out. She talks about how it has been like this since ancient times. There is always been suffering, there has always been need, there has always been the search for joy and peace. The line, “See some people shine with glee, but their song is jealousy.Their hate is clanging. Maddening” it’s about the phoniness that can surround the holiday season. Greed, indifference to suffering and selfishness are not far beneath the good cheer surface. Their coldness and cruelty is painful to witness. Why can’t these hypocrites see? The lyrics talk about how we are all together if we are singing. Singing in our hearts and not letting all of the evil, corruption and sadness drag us down. We are all trying to survive, many people are struggling to survive. We all hope for the promised land, but is there such a thing? Is there an answer? We can only keep our hearts open and hope and keep singing. That’s what I get out of it anyway. |
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| A Perfect Murder – Slave To The Clock Lyrics | 1 year ago |
| @[smendler:52762] I see what spike is saying, but I think they are a little off. I don’t know why they think it’s pre-4th century?! Just because they mentioned princes and kings? Man, there are still princes and kings. There is a mention of ancient kings, but there is also the line “do they sing happy Noel?” Noel means Christmas. The image of orphans singing in the snow does imply a northern climate. Snow in Israel does occur, but in frequently | |
| A Perfect Murder – Slave To The Clock Lyrics | 1 year ago |
| @[JJKelsall:52761] I see people are talking about Zionism. but do most of the images take place in Israel? Orphans singing in the snow? Snow in Israel is incredibly rare. The first chorus makes me think of children singing in cold northern climates around Christmas time. There is a line “do they sing happy Noel?” Noel means Christmas time and Christmas is not widely celebrated in Jerusalem either. | |
| Bauhaus – Bela Lugosi's Dead Lyrics | 1 year ago |
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When the actor, Bella Lugosi, died he left instructions to be buried as the character that made him famous, Dracula. The White tie on the white shirt, considered a sign of the highest level of formality in dress attire. The red velvet lining of the black coffin (although I don’t think he actually had red velvet lining). There’s a possible suggestion of the “bled red velvet lines“ being like Dracula’s victims but all the wine bottles that Bella left. “The virginal brides file past his tomb“ Dracula always had a bunch of virginal brides. Bella himself had five wives. They all attended his funeral, I believe. So, the man was dead, the character of Dracula lives on. Or… Maybe the actor lived on too :: maniacal laughter:: undead |
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| Bauhaus – Bela Lugosi's Dead Lyrics | 1 year ago |
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@[alda:52669] I like your interpretation of the wine bottles being compared to the victims of the character Dracula. White and white is actually a colour of ultra white with blue undertones. Maybe it’s the make up they used on Bella Lugosi when he played Dracula. I think it’s about the funeral of Bella Lugosi and juxtaposing it to Dracula in his tomb, undead |
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| Bauhaus – Bela Lugosi's Dead Lyrics | 1 year ago |
| @[marxism:52668] what are you talking about? That doesn’t make any sense. | |
| Bauhaus – Bela Lugosi's Dead Lyrics | 1 year ago |
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@[kaleidoscopes:52667] “Dear 'true goths'... how about just listening to the music you like, instead of complaining that others don't? :)” Reply: ….. no |
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| Bauhaus – Bela Lugosi's Dead Lyrics | 1 year ago |
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@[kaleidoscopes:52666] “Dear 'true goths'... how about just listening to the music you like, instead of complaining that others don't? :)” Reply: ….. no |
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| Bauhaus – Bela Lugosi's Dead Lyrics | 1 year ago |
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@[javad10211:52665] STOOOOP! Why are you saying this? The club was The Bat Cave. There was no Bell Tower Club. “Bela Lugosi’s Dead“ came out in 1982 which was the year the Bat cave club OPENED. The term “Goth“ was in full swing. Slimelight started in the late 80s. The Bauhaus did not stop looking Gothic after 1982 although they broke up the next year and didn’t reunite until the 2000s. Last, the lyrics are “white on white” not and white. The lyrics are about the image of Dracula and the death of the actor Bella Lugosi |
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| Bauhaus – In The Flat Field Lyrics | 1 year ago |
| @[rezwits:52663] interesting interpretation, but he is obviously sleeping with the prostitutes in the song. The “tart“ mentioned is a term we use here in the UK for either a prostitute or a woman who likes to sleep around. He can sleep with one on his lunch hour. Piccadilly is in the middle of London. Not far from the red light district. There is a place called Flatfield near Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is pretty boring. But I don’t think that he’s referring to that place | |
| Bauhaus – The Passion Of Lovers Lyrics | 1 year ago |
| Peter Murphy must’ve been reading about Thelema. Occult philosophy. In Thelema, the phrase "love is death" represents a concept where the dissolution of the ego and the surrender to a higher power is associated with the Goddess Nuit (ancient Egyptian Sky goddess). Thelema views death as a form of love, where the dying person is dissolved into the eternal kisses of their beloved, the goddess Nuit. | |
| Bauhaus – All We Ever Wanted Was Everything Lyrics | 1 year ago |
| @[BluePlacebo:52662] “The cream” also means “the cream of the crop“ the cream rises to the top. To be the cream is to rise of the top and be the best. | |
| Bauhaus – All We Ever Wanted Was Everything Lyrics | 1 year ago |
| @[Mendalusa77:52661] that interpretation sounds personal. The Bauhaus, however, did get out of their industrial town and did become quite famous and successful and do not live mundane lives. | |
| Bauhaus – All We Ever Wanted Was Everything Lyrics | 1 year ago |
| @[Mendalusa77:52660] that interpretation sounds personal. The Bauhaus, however, did get out of their industrial town and did become quite famous and successful and do not live mundane lives. | |
| Bauhaus – All We Ever Wanted Was Everything Lyrics | 1 year ago |
| @[TdyYrLove:52659] I always thought the second line was “all we ever got was cold“. Because Gold would be a good thing. | |
| Bauhaus – She's In Parties Lyrics | 1 year ago |
| Peter Murphy said the song was about Marilyn Monroe. A particularly dark (obviously) look at her life as it was. She was Marylin on screen, she was Marylin at home and Marilyn at parties. I saw a documentary on her where a person told her not to take pills with alcohol and she said “it hasn’t killed me yet“. “ In the can” is the term for a wrapped up, finished, bit of film. Reels of film used to be stored in film canisters. A fall guy is a term often used for stuntman but also for a sucker or a scapegoat. Marilyn had many. I think this song is about Peter Murphy‘s perspective on the tragedy that Norma Jean actually became Marilyn Monroe. Perfect, but, soulless; because she was not real. It wasn’t a role in a film, it wasn’t even just her Hollywood persona. She became Marilyn and played Marylin almost all the time making it difficult to tell where the acting ended and life began. | |
| Bauhaus – She's In Parties Lyrics | 1 year ago |
| Peter Murphy said the song was about Marilyn Monroe. A particularly dark (obviously) look at her life as it was. She was Marylin on screen, she was Marylin at home and Marilyn at parties. I saw a documentary on her where a person told her not to take pills with alcohol and she said “it hasn’t killed me yet“. “ In the can” is the term for a wrapped up, finished, bit of film. Reels of film used to be stored in film canisters. A fall guy is a term often used for stuntman but also for a sucker or a scapegoat. Marilyn had many. I think this song is about Peter Murphy‘s perspective on the tragedy that Norma Jean actually became Marilyn Monroe. Perfect, but, soulless; because she was not real. It wasn’t a role in a film, it wasn’t even just her Hollywood persona. She became Marilyn and played Marylin almost all the time making it difficult to tell where the acting ended and life began. | |
| Bauhaus – She's In Parties Lyrics | 1 year ago |
| Peter Murphy said the song was about Marilyn Monroe. A particularly dark (obviously) look at her life as it was. She was Marylin on screen, she was Marylin at home and Marilyn at parties. I saw a documentary on her where a person told her not to take pills with alcohol and she said “it hasn’t killed me yet“. “ In the can” is the term for a wrapped up, finished, bit of film. Reels of film used to be stored in film canisters. A fall guy is a term often used for stuntman but also for a sucker or a scapegoat. Marilyn had many. I think this song is about Peter Murphy‘s perspective on the tragedy that Norma Jean actually became Marilyn Monroe. Perfect, but, soulless; because she was not real. It wasn’t a role in a film, it wasn’t even just her Hollywood persona. She became Marilyn and played Marylin almost all the time making it difficult to tell where the acting ended and life began. | |
| Bauhaus – She's In Parties Lyrics | 1 year ago |
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@[nicolarovetta:52658] cool. I wouldn’t say it’s “music industry jargon“ as you say I would say theatre and old-time film jargon. A “ Fall guy” can mean a stuntman and can also mean a scapegoat |
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| The Rolling Stones – Brown Sugar Lyrics | 1 year ago |
| @[ceej1979:51434] Yes. This song is nasty. I feel really uncomfortable when it comes on. Particularly when white men start singing along and looking at me. Like, I’m gonna play along?!? You’re right, that’s what it’s about. More or less. But, there were no slaves in the United States in 1960! I think you mean 1860s, when slavery was made it illegal? Yes, there was/is still a lot of abusive black women but they weren’t slaves at any point in the 1900s. I don’t think the house boy is supposed to be white either. I don’t think it’s an English stately home. There were precious few slaves in the UK. slaves were mostly sent to the colonies. I think there’s an Englishman in a colonial American home who’s been hooked up by the house boy. | |
| Hole – Jennifer's Body Lyrics | 2 years ago |
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@[Mendalusa77:46610] I agree, but a little bit worse than just abusive. |
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| Hole – Jennifer's Body Lyrics | 2 years ago |
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@[kaligrrrl:46609] yes, the case of Colleen Stan. I don’t know if she ever tried to escape by suicide, but she was hung up and tortured. It fits with the song. I think this song is from the point of view of the wife in of the kidnapping couple. Also “Jenny“ is slang for heroin. Easily kept in a box by the bed. So I don’t know if she’s juxtaposing her keeping of drugs with colleen’s kidnapping, it’s possible |
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| Hole – Jennifer's Body Lyrics | 2 years ago |
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Why this song is about both drugs and abduction: Jenny is a slang name for heroin. Yeah, I looked that up like a nerd. Trying to quit heroin but finding paraphernalia around the place could be what is being referred to as Jennifers body. Keeping drug paraphernalia in a box by the bed is pretty common. But it’s definitely being juxtaposed to an actual woman’s body. Now, don’t come for me; But, I believe it’s from the point of view of the wife of a couple who are keeping a woman prisoner. Here’s why: Courtney Love has said that she wanted to show that she could write a story about a captured woman, like her husband, Kurt Cobain, did for the song “Polly”, which was based on a real story. I believe the idea that this song “Jennifers body“ is based on the case of Colleen Stan. She was kidnapped in 1977 and held as a sexual slave for seven years by a married couple. They used to keep her locked in a wooden box by their bed. To me, it sounds like the captive girl tried to escape and hang herself by a tree, but she was cut down and put back in the box. Barely alive. According to Maria Raha, (Cinderella's Big Score: Women of the Punk and Indie Underground). “The general theme of the lyrics deal with a woman's kidnapping and dismemberment.” Like in the film “Boxing Helena“, (1993, same year this song was written) also, not a coincidence, IMHO. According to Everett True (Nirvana: The Biography) the song was thought to be inspired by Jennie Boddy, a music publicist. Its lyrics tell the narrative of a woman in captivity, being held "in a box by the bed", before eventually being murdered and dismembered. The Hole song “Doll Parts” is also reminiscent of a woman broken down, dismembered but figuratively. So is it a play on keeping drugs versus keeping an actual woman? Writing a “Polly“ style abduction horror song and combining it with the experience of drug addiction and spousal abuse? Sounds good. I’m gonna go with that |
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| Hole – Jennifer's Body Lyrics | 2 years ago |
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Why this song is about both drugs and abduction: Jenny is a slang name for heroin. Yeah, I looked that up like a nerd. Trying to quit heroin but finding paraphernalia around the place could be what is being referred to as Jennifers body. Keeping drug paraphernalia in a box by the bed is pretty common. But it’s definitely being juxtaposed to an actual woman’s body. Now, don’t come for me; But, I believe it’s from the point of view of the wife of a couple who are keeping a woman prisoner. Here’s why: Courtney Love has said that she wanted to show that she could write a story about a captured woman, like her husband, Kurt Cobain, did for the song “Polly”, which was based on a real story. I believe the idea that this song “Jennifers body“ is based on the case of Colleen Stan. She was kidnapped in 1977 and held as a sexual slave for seven years by a married couple. They used to keep her locked in a wooden box by their bed. To me, it sounds like the captive girl tried to escape and hang herself by a tree, but she was cut down and put back in the box. Barely alive. According to Maria Raha, (Cinderella's Big Score: Women of the Punk and Indie Underground). “The general theme of the lyrics deal with a woman's kidnapping and dismemberment.” Like in the film “Boxing Helena“, (1993, same year this song was written) also, not a coincidence, IMHO. According to Everett True (Nirvana: The Biography) the song was thought to be inspired by Jennie Boddy, a music publicist. Its lyrics tell the narrative of a woman in captivity, being held "in a box by the bed", before eventually being murdered and dismembered. The Hole song “Doll Parts” is also reminiscent of a woman broken down, dismembered but figuratively. So is it a play on keeping drugs versus keeping an actual woman? Writing a “Polly“ style abduction horror song and combining it with the experience of drug addiction and spousal abuse? Sounds good. I’m gonna go with that |
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| Hole – Jennifer's Body Lyrics | 2 years ago |
| @[Relapse:46607] you’re probably right. But you were unnecessarily bitchy so no love. | |
| Hole – Jennifer's Body Lyrics | 2 years ago |
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@[CloudOnMyTongue:46606] Jenny is slang for heroin. Yes that could be speaking about paraphernalia. But it also sounds like it’s straight up about a dead girl named Jennifer. Almost like Jennifer was sacrificed or killed by her and her partner. I like your answer |
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| Bauhaus – Dark Entries Lyrics | 2 years ago |
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Okay, bear with me: this is a song about prostitution, debauchery, drug and alcohol use. I believe it is specifically about Dorian Gray. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, s one of Peter Murphy’s all-time favourite books (and a must read for all readers with gothic proclivities). The lyrics:”I will scream in vain Oh please miss Lane Leave me with some pain (sometimes “hit me with some pain“) makes me wonder if it’s not a play on words? Or a slight change of name for the sake of lyrical flow? Dorian Gray was in love only once, with Miss Sybil Vane. He broke her heart and impregnated her, and she killed herself. That seemed to be the only guilt he carried. it was the turning point in his character, and held it in for the rest of his extended and youthful but wretched life. Today one can buy the shoe 48 by Dorian Gray dress boots which are tan brown brogues (as mentioned in the song )suited to the most well-dressed dandy. |
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| Dexys Midnight Runners – Geno Lyrics | 3 years ago |
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The song is a tribute to Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band, a London-based soul band, in 1960s a big inspiration to songwriter Kevin Rowlands; an idol and possibly a crush? “Michael the lover“ is a quote from the song Michael by Geno. It’s how Kevin saw him. It is unclear whether they had an off stage personal relationship going, “ but they never knew, like we knew, me and you were the same“. Or, if the identification between them was purely in Kevin‘s head. He recalls Gino fading from fame and his own rise with Dexys midnight runners. Although Kevin idolised Gino he also saw a bit of competition between them. The student becoming the teacher. “And now just look at me as I am looking down on you“. “Looking down“ seems a bit of a harsh way to look at your old idol now that you are winning at the fame game. Condescending. There is definitely a touch of ego and bitterness to this. Whether it’s because of what occurred in their personal relationship which may, or may not, have existed or if it’s just Kevin‘s competitive attitude to surpassing his idol, I don’t know. |
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| Siouxsie and the Banshees – Swimming Horses Lyrics | 3 years ago |
| @[JJKelsall:44014] but we appreciate them ???? and we feel the helpless rage she feels | |
| Japan – Despair Lyrics | 3 years ago |
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@[nic:43855]-ck a loose, but more specific, translation into English: Gently, don’t disturb them There are people who live like that Tomorrows artists Happy in despair Also, the lyrics need correcting. The 2nd line in French should be: IL y a des gens qui vive comme ça Not: IL why I’ll try to fix that |
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| Japan – In Vogue Lyrics | 3 years ago |
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Defining the meaning of New Romantic, Sylvian crooning at its best. It’s trying to make things work with an ex. No confidence, no sense of security. Not wanting to surrender to love, even though it’s too late. New Romantic movement in the UK. It was a time when romance was, in fact, in vogue. |
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| Japan – The Other Side Of Life Lyrics | 3 years ago |
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@[MrJohnnyPanic:43854], I agree with your interpretation. I feel that I have often been the woman in the song. I moved away from my small town in the US to a big European city. I did modelling and traveling and I would go back home every few years and meet-up with old friends and lovers. I began to notice the impact my visits had. Not always positive. There was still love and a great deal of memories, but I realised that I was no longer “from” my home town. I tried not to talk about my life, because I felt that some people didn’t believe me or felt that I thought I was superior. I didn’t, but There was (and is) part of me that knows that I can never completely go back. |
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| Japan – Halloween Lyrics | 3 years ago |
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I always believed that this song was a juxtaposition of paranoia, isolation and mistrust surrounding Nazi Germany, Halloween season and the painful breaking of relationships. All of it. This song came out on the quiet life album in 1979 which was the 30th anniversary of Germany officially breaking into East and West. East Germany had become official in October 1949. Guitarist Rob Dean spoke about the political lyrical direction of the song: “I think the title conjures up darkness and menace and therefore there needs to be some urgency to the guitars too. A scream seemed appropriate. Even the auto-wah guitar figure in the middle section tied with the synth emphasizes that”. Also Halloween, October 31 is reformation day in many states of Germany. I don’t know if that’s relevant, but there is a lot of marching. |
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| Japan – Halloween Lyrics | 3 years ago |
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@[PeterCS:43853] thank you so much for your writ-up on this song. It has always confused me. It’s true that sylvian expresses things in glimpses and moods, but there was so much politics, specifically the German politics of the time, that I couldn’t ignore it or see it as just symbolism. The song Halloween came out in 1979, the 30th anniversary of Germany formally splitting into East and West (although The city of Berlin had been divided four years earlier) German Democratic Republic (East Germany) was officially established in October 1949. I realise that Halloween wasn’t really celebrated in Germany until recently, but it would’ve been a strange Halloween time. Halloween is also reformation day, in parts of Germany, but I don’t think that’s relevant to this song. However, it does involves some marching. I agree it’s more about a feeling of mistrust, anxiety and The potential for being caught out and paying dearly for something |
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| Japan – Halloween Lyrics | 3 years ago |
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@[PeterCS:43852] thank you so much for your writ-up on this song. It has always confused me. It’s true that sylvian expresses things in glimpses and moods, but there was so much politics, specifically the German politics of the time, that I couldn’t ignore it or see it as just symbolism. The song Halloween came out in 1979, the 30th anniversary of Germany formally splitting into East and West (although The city of Berlin had been divided four years earlier) German Democratic Republic (East Germany) was officially established in October 1949. I realise that Halloween wasn’t really celebrated in Germany until recently, but it would’ve been a strange Halloween time. Halloween is also reformation day, in parts of Germany, but I don’t think that’s relevant to this song. However, it does involves some marching. I agree it’s more about a feeling of mistrust, anxiety and The potential for being caught out and paying dearly for something |
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| Aimee Mann – Wise Up Lyrics | 4 years ago |
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I know this post is like ancient, but I was listening to this song and wanted to read other peoples opinions on it. I think this song can apply to so many people about so many things. Yes, a suggestion of alcoholism, and definitely using alcohol for escape, is mentioned in one line but that’s not the whole story at all. Many people work to get what they want whether it’s fame, marriage, a career, et cetera. They think that this will fill the hole in them but they find that they are just as miserable as they were before, maybe even more so because they don’t have something new to reach for. And so they are stuck in a marriage with an abusive, cruel partner. They have run away and joined the foreign legions and they find that it’s a living hell. Whatever the case, the point is that until they find love, peace and happiness within themselves and stop allowing themselves to be a victim; until they are able to look at themselves objectively and understand the mistakes they are making, address them and correct to them; the misery will never go away. They cannot expect someone or something to fix them. Decisions they make will often harm them until THEY TREAT THEMSELVES LIKE SOMEBODY THEY LOVE. All the bad experiences, all the bad feelings, all of The weaknesses and addictions and all the cruelty will not stop until you wise up. |
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| Aimee Mann – Wise Up Lyrics | 4 years ago |
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I know this post is like ancient, but I was listening to this song and wanted to read other peoples opinions on it. I think this song can apply to so many people about so many things. Yes, a suggestion of alcoholism, and definitely using alcohol for escape, is mentioned in one line but that’s not the whole story at all. Many people work to get what they want whether it’s fame, marriage, a career, et cetera. They think that this will fill the hole in them but they find that they are just as miserable as they were before, maybe even more so because they don’t have something new to reach for. And so they are stuck in a marriage with an abusive, cruel partner. They have run away and joined the foreign legions and they find that it’s a living hell. Whatever the case, the point is that until they find love, peace and happiness within themselves and stop allowing themselves to be a victim; until they are able to look at themselves objectively and understand the mistakes they are making, address them and correct to them; the misery will never go away. They cannot expect someone or something to fix them. Decisions they make will often harm them until THEY TREAT THEMSELVES LIKE SOMEBODY THEY LOVE. All the bad experiences, all the bad feelings, all of The weaknesses and addictions and all the cruelty will not stop until you wise up. |
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| Duran Duran – Khanada Lyrics | 4 years ago |
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Khanada means “family” in Hindi ख़ानदा And there’s a sitar in it. So, maybe there’s a story in there? |
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| Nirvana – Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam Lyrics | 5 years ago |
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@[seacreature25:33129] well said. The old hymn “Jesus wants me for a sunbeam” is a children’s song to make children know they are loved. “Jesus wants me for a sunbeam, To shine for him each day; In ev'ry way try to please him, At home, at school, at play.”. The lyrics by the Vaseline’s are very GenX. Someone who feels bitter and rejected |
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| The Crüxshadows – Sophia Lyrics | 11 years ago |
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Sancta Sophia was the name of a Seminary where people could study ancient, metaphysical, and esoteric wisdom. It opened in the early '90's. I wonder if he was aware of the place http://lightofchristcommunitychurch.org/sancta-sophia-seminary.html |
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