Both as a standalone and as part of the DSOTS album, you can take this lyric as read. As a matter of public record, Jourgensen's drug intake was legendary even in the 1980s. By the late 90s, in his own words, he was grappling with massive addiction issues and had lost almost everything: friends, spouse, money and had nearly died more than once. "Dark Side of the Spoon" is a both funny & sad title for an album made by a musical genius who was losing the plot; and this song is a message to his fans & friends saying he knows it. It's painful to listen to so I'm glad the "Keith Richards of industrial metals" wised up and cleaned up. Well done sir.
[Chorus]
Everything gonna be all-right,
Everything gonna be all-right
Everything gonna be all-right,
Everything gonna be all-right
I went deep down into that river now
I rose up.
And I felt that sun beat down upon this sinne's face, yeah, yeah
And I went deep down in that water now
I rose up.
I felt that sun beat down upon my face, yeah, yeah
[Chorus]
Here we go!
So then I smash up the palace like the son of Samson,
Hollering louder than all of Bedlam,
Take me to higher ground
Then bury my body 6-feet down.
And I walked 40-miles out into that desert now
Wailed and moaned,
Till the Lion, He called my name, yeah!
And He said that Old Ship of Zion is taking way, way out,
Out into outer space.
Yeah! Yeah!
And He said,
Everything gonna be all-right,
Everything gonna be all-right
Here we go, here we go, here we go
Oh yeah!
I climbed the highest of the heights.
Atop that mountain I watched the day turn into night.
Oh I tell you I was a wretched sight,
But I stood long and hard until the light
Rubbing needles in my eyes, eating dirt,
I stood up,
And everything was all-right.
[Chorus]
Here we go!
But then I smash on the palace like the son of Samson,
Hollering louder than all of Bedlam,
Take me to higher ground
Then bury my body 6-feet down.
Everything gonna be all-right,
Everything gonna be all-right
Everything gonna be all-right,
Everything gonna be all-right
I went deep down into that river now
I rose up.
And I felt that sun beat down upon this sinne's face, yeah, yeah
And I went deep down in that water now
I rose up.
I felt that sun beat down upon my face, yeah, yeah
[Chorus]
Here we go!
So then I smash up the palace like the son of Samson,
Hollering louder than all of Bedlam,
Take me to higher ground
Then bury my body 6-feet down.
And I walked 40-miles out into that desert now
Wailed and moaned,
Till the Lion, He called my name, yeah!
And He said that Old Ship of Zion is taking way, way out,
Out into outer space.
Yeah! Yeah!
And He said,
Everything gonna be all-right,
Everything gonna be all-right
Here we go, here we go, here we go
Oh yeah!
I climbed the highest of the heights.
Atop that mountain I watched the day turn into night.
Oh I tell you I was a wretched sight,
But I stood long and hard until the light
Rubbing needles in my eyes, eating dirt,
I stood up,
And everything was all-right.
[Chorus]
Here we go!
But then I smash on the palace like the son of Samson,
Hollering louder than all of Bedlam,
Take me to higher ground
Then bury my body 6-feet down.
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Ministry
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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."
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Is this song referencing Bible stories or what?
yes it references the story of Samson, the title might reference the seven days feast.
yea in the story - Samson, who's hair gives him immortal strength, has his hair cut off and is chained to a pillars. as his hair grows back he turns into a baddass and start hulking out on the palace.
It's not retelling any Biblical stories from what I can gather, but there is a strong Christianity theme to it. There is an interview with Neil somewhere on youtube, where he is talking on a bus and he describes how he uses names and certain things as a literary device, basically.
I went deep down into that river now. I rose up. I felt that sun beat down upon this sinner's face. I went deep in that water now. I rose up. I felt that sun beat down upon my face
This is obviously a baptism. I shouldn't really even have to explain it.
Bedlam was a hospital for the insane a long time ago.
And the story of Samson in the bible, God gave him the strength to conquer his enemies.
Basically I think the song is about overcoming obstacles through your own beliefs, whatever those may be, as to kind of say "Everything's gonna be alright".
It seems as though Neil likes writing songs that kinda sound like bad-ass sermons, or at least have a "Gospel/Revival" sound to them(Burning Beard/10,000 Witnesses are some other examples). I think the song is just supposed to be about overcoming some great challenge and/or getting a fresh start. The first stanza is obviously baptismal imagery.
"Old Ship of Zion" is a hymn that was written circa 1889. "7 Jam" seems to be heavily based upon it. Here are the lyrics to it:
I was standing by the banks of a river Looking out over lifes troubled seas When I saw an old ship that was sailing Is that the old ship of Zion I see
It's hull was bent and battered From the storms of life I could see Waves were rough but that old ship kept sailing Is that the old ship of Zion I see
At the stern of the ship was the captain I could hear as he called out my name Get on board It's the old ship of Zion It will never pass this way again
As I step on board I'll be leaving All my troubles and trials behind I'll be safe with Jesus the captain Sailing out on the old ship of Zion
The gospel roots in their music is unmistakable here. I think the closest Clutch has come to admitting them is naming Faith No More as an influence; Mike Patton was definitely a gospel-trained vocalist. Gospel roots have always been present since the foundation for Rock'n'Roll, ironically called devil music by preachers who don't like the competition.