| Live – Rattlesnake Lyrics | 3 years ago |
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I always thought this song was about LA, and that whole 'life of fame-and-fortune'. Kowalczyk mentions "is it money, is it fame? Or where they always THIS lame?". To me it speaks of the excesses of Hollywood, and how 'the high life' is so far from what he imagined it to be. He refers to the 'rattlesnake', and, as Kowalczyk is religious, it always seemed to me to be a metaphor for the 'serpent' in the Garden of Eden (he chooses the rattlesnake because it's about California, and the desert - hence the serpent comes in the form of a rattlesnake). The song seems to be a cautionary tale of "be careful what you wish for"; that for all the excesses of fame, a price must be paid to the devil; that, by eating of the fruit, you must submit to the devil inside; you must sacrifice something of your soul...and even your body to the devil. I'm an Atheist, but that's how I always interpreted the song. |
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| James Reyne – Slave Lyrics | 5 years ago |
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...one of Reyne's best. Reyne is overlooked as a great Australian artist. Songs like this speak to me as someone who grew up under the influence of the working class, and who remains bound to that upbringing whilst also being educated and pursuing something beyond it. I don't know, it's songs like this that take me back to where I came from, and I'm so appreciative of that. To me, this song just sounds like home... |
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| Midnight Oil – Forgotten Years Lyrics | 6 years ago |
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Oh, just one more point. The lines "Still it aches like tetanus, it reeks of politics How many dreams remain? This is a feeling too strong to contain" Commemorating the fallen of WWI and WWII, has been hijacked by politicians for political gain, it was hijacked at the time of war, and it's STILL being hijacked by politicians today to pit us against one another and to divide us along ideological lines. The song is saying; "I know it's hard, but don't let politics stop you from honoring the fallen; their sacrifices and their victories, because THEY fought for US, not partisan political gain". We must ALWAYS remember that, and not use it as an excuse to ignore, or be angry with, the sacrifices of those who have taken up arms to defend, not only our nation, but other nations as well. |
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| Midnight Oil – Forgotten Years Lyrics | 6 years ago |
| @[PapaJ:24852] I know this is an old comment, but I had to say that it's exactly how I interpreted it. Like you said, it's about honoring the past by not repeating it. You put it very eloquently :-) | |
| Midnight Oil – Forgotten Years Lyrics | 6 years ago |
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To me this song has two meanings. It's definitely written about the ANZACS in WWI and WWII. The most tumultuous time in modern history, where two generations of Australians and New Zealanders lost their innocence to world war. It's definitely about commemorating what they did for our respective countries, and OTHER countries as well; which is easy to do when we have no PHYSICAL reminders of the war on our homefront - as they weren't really fought on our shores; they were fought in Asia and Europe. However, we MUST remember the sacrifices these people made for the betterment of not only Australia and NZ, but several European countries as well. To me though, the song is also pleading with it's listeners to not forget the horror of war; the futility of it, and the general human sacrifice and degradation that comes with it, because 'those who do not learn from their mistakes are condemned to repeat them'. As the benefactors of what has come before; we must honor them, and the best way to honor them is to ensure that their sacrifices have not been in vain, but rather, have taught us about the reality of war, and perhaps have even helped us to find a better way to relate to each other as individuals, cultures and nations. |
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| Hoodoo Gurus – What's My Scene? Lyrics | 8 years ago |
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I've always seen this song as simply about an ageing hippie. These guys were clearly of the 'free love' generation and this song is just about how that wave has been ridden and now there's a new wave and this guy can't find his place in it. As for the beginning of the song - "...and another thing" is an oft used phrase when people are joking about the generation gap. "...and another thing! I hate how kids dress these days!"; "...and another thing, I don't understand the haircuts of today"; "...and another thing! What happened to 'real men'?". It's a joking phrase people use to acknowledge that they are ranting and probably getting a little old and grumpy. He's taking the piss out of himself as he now sees himself as the old man screaming "...and another thing!". |
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| Soundgarden – The Day I Tried to Live Lyrics | 9 years ago |
| "You live with apes man, it's hard to be clean!". | |
| Alice in Chains – Your Decision Lyrics | 9 years ago |
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This song is about addiction and how much Jerry resents what it did to the band and to themselves as individuals. This song could also be about Mike...or Layne. Who both probably lied about their addictions, as most addicts do until it becomes too difficult to hide. "No one plans to take the path that brings you lower And here you stand before us all and say it's over It's over" To me this is about Jerry letting go of the anger he felt about the lying that comes with addiction and what ultimately brought the band down. "You feed the fire that burned us all When you lie" This is the line that makes me think it's about Mike. What brought them down was the death of Layne, and yet Mike continued to lie about his addictions or refused to admit that he had an addiction, but ultimately it's his decision if he wants to face reality or not. |
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| Alice in Chains – All Secrets Known Lyrics | 9 years ago |
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@[corkey:1757] Absolutely! If you have followed AIC since the 90's, this is an incredibly sad and yet uplifting song. It breaks my heart to think of the talent and heart that died with Layne, but they can move forward and this album really showed that. Rock on guys...rock on! |
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| Alice in Chains – All Secrets Known Lyrics | 9 years ago |
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This song is straight from Jerry's heart. It's his official letting go of Layne and Mike and it is an incredibly emotional song. It's also a song about healing and moving forward finally. It's also a very positive song with a strong message; it's time! It's been a heck of a long journey for the surviving original members of the band (of which there are sadly only 2). They've finally punched through and are going strong. I'm so proud of these guys and am so happy that they've found their way forward. Jerry has done a remarkable job of executing the revival and is handling it with a huge amount of respect, and he knows that it isn't just about the band's journey, it's also about the fan's journey as well. He is respecting the fans and taking them on the journey with him. It's |
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| Alice in Chains – Check My Brain Lyrics | 9 years ago |
| ...oh BTW, this song is also about him chasing a woman to LA. | |
| Alice in Chains – Check My Brain Lyrics | 9 years ago |
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I think this is Jerry reflecting on the cycle his life has taken. In the early days of AIC both he and Layne lamented LA, they despised it and hated being part of that scene. Now look where Jerry has landed? He's basically saying that he can't believe where his life has taken him and where he has ended up...in the city he always said he never wanted anything to do with, and he's basically saying, is there something wrong with me? Do I need to sit back and 'check my brain'? LA isn't such a bad place after all apparently... However, if you listen to the guitars in the song, they still have that familiar hardness and sleaziness that AIC are so famous for, which means that I think Jerry realises that LA is still this sleazy city full of slimy people with an agenda, but that you can escape it, you don't have to buy into the LA thing, you can find your own part of it and live your own life away from all of the hype. |
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| KT Tunstall – Another Place To Fall Lyrics | 9 years ago |
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I see this song as being about people who are always in crisis and never seem to be able to get their 'shit together' so-to-speak. People who always seem to have a drama in their lives and never seem to be able to make it in the world; they play the perpetual victim and think they are cursed and are destined for failure rather than seeing that it is THEY that are the arbiters of their own situation and can turn it around any time they want, it just takes a change in attitude and thinking. Nobody is cursed and nobody is a constant victim unless they choose to be. At what point do you stop; reflect on your life and say "I'm going to make some changes, because I'm sensing a pattern here and the one thing I know for sure is that I'm the common denominator". |
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| The Stone Roses – Waterfall Lyrics | 9 years ago |
| BTW, I think this song is told from the perspective of a satellite looking back on Earth. | |
| The Stone Roses – Waterfall Lyrics | 9 years ago |
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This song is about planet Earth and what we are doing to her. It's about how humans have learned to control our environment to suit our own needs and purposes. We are no longer subject to the will of nature the way we once were, and Earth is suffering for it. "Now you're at the wheel, tell me how, how does it feel" - We are in control of our environment (at least we think we are). "Soon to be put to the test, to we whipped by the winds of the west" - America and western culture in general is destroying the Earth, it is slowly stripping away the beauty of the Earth and in-so-doing we are also killing ourselves slowly. Stands on shifting sands The scales held in her hands The wind it just whips her and wails And fills up her brigatine sails This is all a reference to how 'we', as humans, think we are in control, but in the end it is Earth that will decide whether we live or die. "The scales held in her hands" - Earth has a way of balancing out what we do to her. What we take, she gives back in ways we are not able to survive with (eg, climate change, violent weather, earth quakes, tsunamis...you name it). The crux of the song is essentially that humans believe they are in control of the planet, as we have learned how to use the planet to help us survive longer, rather than succumb to the random nature of..well...nature and what Earth dishes out to us. However, we are not in control and Earth has a way of balancing out what we do to her, in ways that we cannot survive. "She'll carry on through it all, she's a waterfall" - We're not killing planet Earth, we are killing ourselves and she will be here long after we are gone, she can adapt better than we can...and we have never and will never be in control of her. |
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| The Stone Roses – Waterfall Lyrics | 9 years ago |
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@[niloc333:1305] You know what? I think you may be right. I just went back and re-read the lyrics with your interpretation and it fits quite well. It's not about a specific country it's about our planet. The crux of it is that what we're doing to Earth will destroy us, but it won't destroy the planet. The planet will go on as it always has with or without us; "She'll carry on through it all, she's a waterfall". She just keeps going and going and going, and everything we do is so insignificant. Interesting read, thanks. |
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| Spice Girls – Viva Forever Lyrics | 9 years ago |
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I think this song is about a young girl that travels to an exotic location (perhaps Spain given the Spanish guitars in the song). She falls in love (or lust) with a young man from this particular location in the sun and has a summer romance. It's a song about the excitement of youth and how you think things like that are forever, but they aren't. Once she returns to 'where she belongs' life goes back to normal and all she has are the memories of the excitement and exhilaration she felt from the brief romance she enjoyed with this young man. You don't ever forget those kinds of experiences in your life, in essence, they are forever even though you move on with your life. And sometimes in your darker moments you might revisit those memories to remind yourself of how simple life once was and how much excitement you felt at the time. The older you get the harder it is to re-visit the exhilaration of youth and the excitement you feel as the world is opened up to you for the first time, as you move out of childhood and into adulthood, so we fantasize about a time long past in our lives when we remember being truly happy and exhilarated by life. Viva forever, I'l be waiting, ever lasting, like the sun Live forever, for the moment, ever searching for the one I read those lines as, the memories of this brief summer romance will live forever in the mind of the young woman as will the memory of being able to live in the moment as a youth, and she will spend the rest of her life looking for the same feeling in another partner (ever searching for the one). There's no love like the naive love of youth, you think it will last forever and life will be amazing, but then you grow up and realise that life just doesn't work that way, and never again will you enjoy the romance of youth...but you always have your memories. The Spicies really did capture the essence of a young women in lust with this song, which is why it resonates. For another song of this ilk check out "Wouldn't it be nice" by the Beach Boys, it explores the same theme. |
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| Fastball – The Way Lyrics | 9 years ago |
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I reckon they committed suicide together. One had Alzheimer's apparently which means slowly they would have lost each other in a very painful way. As, from all reports, these two were inseparable it is not a huge stretch to think that they got in the car and drove to a remote location until their car ran out of petrol then proceeded to walk into the bush and end their lives together. If they succumbed to the elements they simply would have passed into unconsciousness and their hearts would have stopped beating. Relatively painless and no chance of anyone in the family finding their dead bodies and being traumatized by it. That's the version I'm going with. The very fact that they did it the day of the woman's 91st birthday and left the house without cleaning up speaks volumes to me. They wanted those last moments with their family to say goodbye and then decided to end their lives together. Very final if you ask me. The travelling to see family was probably just a ruse to throw everyone off the track so they could complete the act with as little distress to the family as possible. It's quite beautiful actually... |
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| XTC – The Ballad Of Peter Pumpkinhead Lyrics | 9 years ago |
| I agree with some of the other comments. Mr Pumpkinhead is nobody in particular, but rather a metaphor for any person in history who has tried to change the world for the better; to be progressive and move us away from barbarism. It's a song about how high the stakes are when you are taking on powerful ideas and people, and perhaps why so many people choose the low road instead (or choose to do nothing at all)...because it's easier and safer. | |
| XTC – Making Plans For Nigel Lyrics | 9 years ago |
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To me this is really just a comment on how governments see the world and how Western society operates. If you have a job you must be happy. Because having a job is all that matters. Now all you have to do is find a wife and have some kids and your life will be complete and you'll be happy. ...but Nigel isn't happy despite what he says. It's kind of a comment on how our societies work, how our governments think and the dominant culture of work + family + house = happiness. I think it's also a comment on the stifling middle class of England. Even if Nigel is unhappy, he's not allowed to say it, he can have an opinion on things but not be too outspoken. I love the line "Nigel is happy in his work"...says it all really. |
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| Tori Amos – I Can't See New York Lyrics | 10 years ago |
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I always read this song as a 'beyond the grave' kind of song. The spirit of someone who was killed in the Sept 11 attacks and the spirit is confused about what has happened. "On the other side" "From here no Lines are drawn" "From here no lands are owned" "I can't see New York" "I can't seem to find my way out" "I can't seem to find my way from the other side" "I hum from the other side" ...the spirit is coming to terms of what has happened and what is going on...and the idea that the spirit is perpetually stuck in the 'hunting ground' of September 2011; the wreckage, waiting for someone to rescue her, but they will never come. |
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| The Easybeats – The Music Goes Round My Head Lyrics | 10 years ago |
| Is this song about atheism? | |
| Syntax – Pride Lyrics | 10 years ago |
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I've always kind of seen this song more as a message to the human race, rather than a message to someone in particular. He's speaking of his own inner growth, it's an internal chat with himself and he's also having a chat with an imaginary audience (the human race). He's saying the key to happiness is to give up on your pride and face reality; face up to life for what it is. Life includes pain and disappointment and we have to ditch our pride to really live life and experience all it has to offer. I guess he's saying don't hide from life and who you really are because you fear loss, disappointment, fear or sadness. The key to happiness is giving up on your pride and facing life head on. It's also about allowing yourself to be weak and to lean on others from time-to-time, because that’s what life is all about. You don’t have to be a superhero, you just have to be true to yourself. |
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| John Farnham – The Time Has Come Lyrics | 10 years ago |
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I think this song is about the rise of the west and how it effected the native tribes of the all lands (but perhaps more specifically Australia because he's Australian). This is actually a song of hope because it sings of 'The Time Has Come' for change; change is coming; the tides are turning. The song makes mention of "all roads lead to Rome, but now it's changing". What I get from this is that the culture of greed is fading and people are starting to wake up to the damage that it causes and how little happiness it brings. The "reign based on greed", is to be replaced by glory and the tribes are rising up again, we are starting to see the value of the tribal way and a more pure existence. |
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| Michael Jackson – She's Out Of My Life Lyrics | 11 years ago |
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Yes! It's priceless! "Michael will get all emotional and cry on your ass!". "Is it alright if I come down there and sing to you?"...."aaaaaaahhhhhhhh!". :-) |
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| Michael Jackson – Human Nature Lyrics | 11 years ago |
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This song was not written by MJ but it does resonate with his oft-expressed loneliness and yearning for a normal life; for anonymity. At the time the album was made MJ was in his early 20's and already a veteran in the industry. As he had performed from the age of 5 years of age he had never known what it was to be a normal young person. The song is basically just about him looking out the window of his hotel room in New York and yearning for the life of a normal young person. Where he can just walk the streets, take in the sights and pick up a girl if he wants. It's 'human nature' to want these things, not to be cooped up in the world of fame. Sheryl Crow toured with MJ for the 'Bad' album when she was first starting out in the business and she once said that she looked forward to him singing this song every night because he would become very emotional and cry on stage, and that the song really resonated with him because of what he had missed out on in his life. |
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| Tasmin Archer – Sleeping Satellite Lyrics | 11 years ago |
| Now that I have read some other posts on this board I conclude that my interpretation is incorrect. I think that Eurasian and Fleetman have nailed it...personally. | |
| Tasmin Archer – Sleeping Satellite Lyrics | 11 years ago |
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or simply for those of us who want the human race to progress rather than regress. Really like your post. |
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| Tasmin Archer – Sleeping Satellite Lyrics | 11 years ago |
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Yeah I agree, I don't think this song is particulary metaphorical it's literal and I think that's pretty obvious. Any sense that this song is about relationships or love is completely unfounded. the lyrics speak for themselves. However, people are entitled to their opinions. Really liked your post and I think you're bang on. |
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| Tasmin Archer – Sleeping Satellite Lyrics | 11 years ago |
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I've always kind of felt this song is just about leaping before thinking about consequences. Just because we can travel into space, perhaps we should stop, smell the roses and ask ourselves some important questions first. The song refers to 'the reason we chase is lost in romance', rather than reality. This song is asking the questions, instead of just leaping ahead we should stop and think about the best way to do it, what we can get out of it, to try and understand the gravity of it and the consequences of it before the leap is made. All of this is lost in the race to be the first, the beauty and wonderment of it is lost becuase it is just a race in the end. The song is basically saying that we need to stop, take a breath, take it in and think about what we are doing, what we want out of it, where we're going and if it's a good idea. |
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| The Stone Roses – Waterfall Lyrics | 11 years ago |
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This song seems to be about Britain and the fall of empire perhaps; and the idea that perhaps British culture is being eroded by the 'winds of the west', by American culture and American power. The song definitely has a sense of melancholy to it, but also a sense of surrender and resignation to the need for Britain to just go with what is happening; to not fight it. The idea that Britain will carry on through it all and go on as it always has and always will but things will just be different. To me it seems like some kind of ode to Britain's history of glory and perhaps to a culture lost or overtaken by the US. This song really gets to me actually. When I hear songs like this it really reminds me of what song writing is all about. The lyrics are superb but the music actually captures the sentiment that is being expressed. It has a transient feel to it which encapsulates the concept of change or movement, evolution and modernity. |
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| Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – More News from Nowhere Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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A great interpretation bwenner I agree that the references to ‘The Odyssey’ are metaphorical and he is applying the metaphor to his life in the entertainment industry. I also agree that the song addresses his past relationships and the trail of destruction he has left behind. However, I think the song also deals with his life generally in the entertainment industry ‘the business’. He sings of seeing his friends in high places and how they have changed. They are all clones of each other and he doesn’t recognise them anymore; “I don’t know which is which or who is whom, they’ve all stolen each other’s faces”. Perhaps a reference to how fame inevitably changes people and makes them unrecognisable from who they once where: “Betty X is like Betty Y”, once again, there all the same. “It’s getting strange in here, It’s getting strange every year”. Increasingly he no longer recognises the world he inhabits. The entire song is littered with people who appear to be disillusioned. His decision to cast Peaches Geldof in the video is a reference to the darker side of fame. Pixie lost her mother to suicide because of fame and has lead (what appears to be), a confused existence, she doesn’t know who she is or what she wants. The other detail you won’t find in the lyrics, but is in the music video is that he is wearing a t shirt with St Kilda Beach printed on it. St Kilda Beech is a reference to Nick’s favourite part of Melbourne (his home town). He sings about ‘Don’t it make you want to get right on home’. I think this is a reference to Melbourne. He often speaks of his desire to come home, but being unable to because the press hound him too much, so he stays in England. I think the whole song is a reference to how he no longer recognises his life in ‘the business’ and longs to return home to where things make sense again. He no longer seeks out the excitement and distraction that the industry provides. He is done with it, he is happily married and wants to return home. …as you say though, interpretations are all subjective of course. |
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| Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Loverman Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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I agree with partenopei, this song is about how men lust after women. It's an insight into how a man's mind works. When Cave sings about the devil laying beside you, I take it to mean that all men have this devil-like nature when it to comes to sex and that the man laying beside you is no different (despite what you may think). I read an interview with Cave once and he said that he thinks women like his songs because the songs give them an insight into men's minds and confirm what they probably have always known about men...that is what this song is doing. In general I think this song is basically saying a man will do anything and say anything to get a woman to have sex with him when he wants it...which is pretty much all the time, 'I will be your lover man, whatever you want me to be, but please have sex with me!'. |
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