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.
You think I deserve this
You said I was stupid
All my thoughts are like coal
But Russia on ice is burning a hole
Can't stop myself drinking
Can't stop being me
If I call will you come and will you save me ?
I see the whole thing come down
I blow it to the ground
Well what the hell did you say ?
You said you hate me this way
It's just a matter of time
A drop in the ocean
A significant motion
Nothing melts in this cold
But Russia on ice is burning a hole
You said I was stupid
All my thoughts are like coal
But Russia on ice is burning a hole
Can't stop myself drinking
Can't stop being me
If I call will you come and will you save me ?
I see the whole thing come down
I blow it to the ground
Well what the hell did you say ?
You said you hate me this way
It's just a matter of time
A drop in the ocean
A significant motion
Nothing melts in this cold
But Russia on ice is burning a hole
Lyrics submitted by Ministry, edited by joey110715
Russia on Ice Lyrics as written by Colin Edwin Balch Steven Wilson
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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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”
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Could be partly drawn from "Die Another Day" (2002), staring Pierce Brosnan. This is the last James Bond movie for Brosnan. (Note: "From Russia with Love" is the second Bond movie, in which a beautiful Russian defector falls in love with Bond just from seeing a photo in his file. Also, "Diamonds are Forever" is the sixth Bond movie and also has a satellite-laser-destruction machine.)
Back to "Die Another Day": Miranda Frost is a double agent paired with the hero by the powers that be. Her opinion of Bond: "He'll light the fuse on any explosive situation, and be a danger to himself and others..." She also says to him, "I know all about you - sex for dinner, death for breakfast."
She is a good fencer (Olympic gold-medal winner, although by devious means). And it turns out that she betrayed Bond and that led to fourteen months of torture. See the partial scripting below:
Graves: Ms. Frost is not all she seems. James Bond: Looks can be deceptive. Graves: Yes. By the way, did you find out who betrayed you in North Korea? James Bond: ONLY A MATTER OF TIME. Graves: You never even thought of looking inside your own organization? [Miranda points her gun at James] Graves: She was right under your nose. [James shoots, but his gun is empty] Miranda Frost:It was so good of you to bring your gun in bed with us. James Bond: Yes. Occupational hazard. [Bond throws the empty pistol on the floor] Graves: You see, I have a gift. An instinct for sensing people's weaknesses. Yours is women. Hers and mine are winning, whatever the cost. So when I arranged for that fatal overdose for the true victor at Sydney, I won myself my very own MI6 agent, using everthing at my disposal - her brains, her talent, even her sex. James Bond: The COLDEST WEAPON OF ALL.
Then Bond uses a special gadget to break the glass platform where they stand. Bond falls and survives while Miranda Frost escapes.
Some other dialog: James Bond: Can I expect the pleasure of you in Iceland? Miranda Frost: I'm afraid you'll never have that pleasure, Mr. Bond.
And at another point: Miranda Frost: I'll show you your room. James Bond: A palace of ice; you must feel right at home.
So.... is it a stretch to think that maybe seeing this film prompted the writing about a relationship breakup?
It simply isn't possible for "Die Another Day" to have influenced "Russia On Ice". "Stupid Dream", the album it is on was recorded from January to November 1998 and released in March 1999, while "Die Another Day" premiered in late November 2002. So unless Steven Wilson has the ability to travel through time (which, given his amazing abilities as a Songwriter and Producer of both his as well as other bands' music, I doubt he would use to watch terrible films for incorporation into previous released work) I highly doubt "Russia On Ice" was influenced in such a way. ;-D