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.
When we set out on this journey
There were no doubts in our minds
We set our eyes to the distance
We would find what we would find
We took courage from our numbers
What we sought we did not fear
Sometimes we'd glimpse a shadow falling
The shadow would disappear
But our thoughts kept returning
To something the boy said
As we turned to go
He said you'll never see our faces again
You'll be food for a carrion crow
Every step we took today
Our thoughts would always stray
From the wind on the moor so wild
To the words of the captain's child
Something the boy said
In the circles we made with our fires
We talked of the pale afternoon
The clouds were like dark riders
Flying on the face of the moon
We spoke our fears to the captain
And asked what his son could know
For we would never have marched so far
To be food for a crow
Every step we took today
Our thoughts would always stray
From the wind on the moor so wild
To the words of the captain's child
Something the boy said
When I awoke this morning
The sun's eye was red as blood
The stench of burning corpses
Faces in the mud
Am I dead or am I living?
I'm too afraid to care, I'm too afraid to know
I'm too afraid to look behind me
At the feast of the crow
We spoke our fears to the captain
And asked what his son could know
For we would never have marched so far
To be food for a crow
There were no doubts in our minds
We set our eyes to the distance
We would find what we would find
We took courage from our numbers
What we sought we did not fear
Sometimes we'd glimpse a shadow falling
The shadow would disappear
But our thoughts kept returning
To something the boy said
As we turned to go
He said you'll never see our faces again
You'll be food for a carrion crow
Every step we took today
Our thoughts would always stray
From the wind on the moor so wild
To the words of the captain's child
Something the boy said
In the circles we made with our fires
We talked of the pale afternoon
The clouds were like dark riders
Flying on the face of the moon
We spoke our fears to the captain
And asked what his son could know
For we would never have marched so far
To be food for a crow
Every step we took today
Our thoughts would always stray
From the wind on the moor so wild
To the words of the captain's child
Something the boy said
When I awoke this morning
The sun's eye was red as blood
The stench of burning corpses
Faces in the mud
Am I dead or am I living?
I'm too afraid to care, I'm too afraid to know
I'm too afraid to look behind me
At the feast of the crow
We spoke our fears to the captain
And asked what his son could know
For we would never have marched so far
To be food for a crow
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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.
Dreamwalker
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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.
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,
The Carrion Crow is native to the temperate climates found in eastern (southern UK - Germany and down though Spain) and western (areas west of the Kara Sea but north of the Himalayas) Europe. They're confined to these areas due to the lack of food available between and to the south of these areas.
Needless to say, a large army of foot soldiers would provide an easy food source in the waste left behind when they broke camp to march on. While the crows fed on the waste and carcasses of large game the soldiers hunted for food by forward parties preparing a forward camp, scout crows would eat their fill then head out to track their food source and return. Hence, "Sometimes we'd glimpse a shadow falling, the shadow would disappear."
As the army neared the enemy front and hesitated to rest from the march before battle, the crows would give the army's location away to enemy scouts as they flew in the cool of the night to roost at their next meal (though the soldiers perceived them as 'dark clouds' apparently). Knowing the location of the approaching army, the well-rested enemy could easily use the element of surprise to prepare "the feast of a crow."
After the feast, the crows would make their way back north where they could feed naturally on the local fauna. This is likely how the species came to inhabit their two distinct regions of Eurasia.
No doubt stories and written accounts from the middle-ages (if not earlier) exist, but Sting prides himself as a talented writer and would rather "Summer's Tales" maintain the mystic air of originality. While I do enjoy the tune, it seems more like a story written by someone whose father (a Captain) and troops were ambushed during the Crown's preoccupation with the occupation of the birthplace of Christianity ("marched so far") rendered into obscurity with purposefully vague lyrics and aesthetic over-dubbed vocal embellishments. In any case, I wasn't expecting history lessons or biographies when I bought the CD so I enjoy "Something the Boy Said" for the song that it is (even though Sting doesn't/can't/won't perform it on stage).
JB
I know I'm not the only one who likes this song. This whole damn album is strong but this one setsup like a good movie. Great song and throughout this whole album, that harmonica rocks. Not overly strong like in the R & B style but very sparse and moody. Just right. Lush visuals in this song. Awesome.
Peace
I like this song too. I think I may love it more than any other song on tha album (and there ARE some songs there, like "If I ever lose my faith in you","Fields of Gold","Shape of my Heart" or "Probable Me", which are awsome). There's just something about the instrumental part, the beat, that just catches you. It's so smooth and enchanting. Haunting, like most of Sting's songs. And indeed the visual immigery is fantastic. A bit creepy, but fantastic.
While this is probably a story song—from Ten Summoner’s Tales—inspired by a book he read, certain aspects of it metaphorically suggest a ride with you. Aw, go on … You’ll have everyone just itching to hop aboard. To be food for a crow? Did you miss—for we would never have marched so far… or I’m too afraid to care? Well, don’t be silly. Of course he wasn’t referring to me. We’ve never met. I’m laughing. So many comebacks occur to me but I’ll hold my peace.
You do that so nicely, baby.
[Sting]: It's about prediction, y'know? It's about ... it's the Captain's son predicts that all, all will not be well. And uh, he's right.
I love smooth songs with dark lyrics! My sense of humor and normal thought reflections tend to fall in the social and political commentary realm. I think of this as a commentary on the many "questionable" military campaigns we have engaged in ... Can you say Vietnam ... Afghanistan ... Iraq ...
Seeing comments about the army and what not. I always thought this song was about an individual who was doing terrible things until he gets chastised for his actions by a young boy, presumably either a child or a teenager and the person goes on some journey to rethink his life
If you go to the bible and read Matthew 24:28 the meaning of this song becomes absolutely and terrifyingly clear.
The captain is the Father; the "boy" is the Son.
"Something the Boy said" is, of course, [at least in my interpretation] Matthew 24:28.