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.
Tilling my own grave to keep me level
Jam another dragon down the hole
Digging to the rhythm and the echo of a solitary siren
One that pushes me along and leaves me so
Desperate and ravenous
I'm so weak and powerless
Over you
Someone feed the monkey while I
Dig in search of China
White as Dracula as I approach the bottom
Desperate and ravenous
I'm so weak and powerless
Over you
Little angel go away
Come again some other day
The devil has my ear today
I'll never hear a word you say
He promised I would find a little solace
And some piece of mind
Whatever just as long as I don't feel so
Desperate and ravenous
I'm so weak and powerless
Desperate and ravenous
I'm so weak and powerless
Over you
Over you
Jam another dragon down the hole
Digging to the rhythm and the echo of a solitary siren
One that pushes me along and leaves me so
Desperate and ravenous
I'm so weak and powerless
Over you
Someone feed the monkey while I
Dig in search of China
White as Dracula as I approach the bottom
Desperate and ravenous
I'm so weak and powerless
Over you
Little angel go away
Come again some other day
The devil has my ear today
I'll never hear a word you say
He promised I would find a little solace
And some piece of mind
Whatever just as long as I don't feel so
Desperate and ravenous
I'm so weak and powerless
Desperate and ravenous
I'm so weak and powerless
Over you
Over you
Lyrics submitted by OwnPersonalDemon
Weak and Powerless Lyrics as written by Maynard James Keenan Billy Howerdel
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
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"Tilling my own grave to keep me level" -- He's doing drugs to feel better, yet they're killing him as well
"Jam another dragon down the hole" -- Maybe represents a needle, or pills going down him throat? I dunno.
"Digging to the rhythm and the echo of a solitary siren One that pushes me along and leaves me so" -- The digging refers back to the first line, and as he does so, he's doing it to his body's screams for more drugs (the solitary siren)
"Desperate and ravenous So weak and powerless Over you" -- This would definitely fit in with the drug theme... Pretty self-explanatory.
"Someone feed the monkey while I dig in search of China White as Dracula as I approach the bottom" -- Reference to the 'monkey on my back' which is some times used to describe addictions. China is known for its heroin and opium and such, so maybe that explains that part... The white as Dracula part is thrown in there to describe the fear he feels as he's slowly killing himself, and sinking lower and lower.
"Little angel, go away Come again some other day Devil has my ear today I'll never hear a word you say" -- His conscious or common sense is telling him to quit while he can, but the effects of the drugs cloud his judgment.
"He promised I would find a little Solace and some peace of mind Whatever, just as long as I don't feel so" -- The drugs win. He's now giving in again, unable to suppress his cravings.
Yeah, this is my interpretation. Probably off in several areas, but works for me. Just doing my best to keep deep_and_down okay ;)
I agree; that's totally what it's about. When he says "jam another dragon down the hole", he's talking about taking drugs, with the drugs being the enemy - "If a man wishes to become a hero, then the serpent must first become a dragon; otherwise he lacks his proper enemy" (Friedrich Nietzsche).<br /> I also think the diction here is amazingly deep: for example, when he mentions Dracula, the name is used as a metaphor for dependence because Dracula is dependent on blood (which is as unsavory as a drug if you think about it). The speaker is expressing just how great his desire for drugs is.
@ObsessiveTendencies Good interpretation, here's a couple things I'd like to add;<br /> "Chasing the dragon" is a term that means doing heroin. <br /> <br /> Also," the dig in search for China / white..." it's a double entendre. 'Dig in search of China' is a reference to the phrase or wive's tale that if you dug a hole deep enough, you get to China. 'China white' is a kind of high-grade heroin.
@ObsessiveTendencies "Digging to the rhythm and the echo of a solitary siren <br /> One that pushes me along and leaves me so" -->"Desperate and ravenous" Rhythm probably meaning a cycle that is leading him to rock bottom by this addiction that screams for more. <br /> AND "Someone feed the monkey while I dig in search of China White as dracula as I approach the bottom" The way I see it is, in search of China White, as dracula would. China White referring to a very very pure form of heroin. Dracula referring to heroin addicts are like vampires.
@ObsessiveTendencies I think the ‘dog in search of China’ is reference to finding a vein for needle users. <br /> They always Terence ‘digging’ for veins
like most of the songs on the 13th step its about drug addiction....sometimes addiction is refered to as a monkey on ones back...and the words china white refer to heroin...the type of heroin known as china white...and approaching the bottom is pretty straightforward
this song is definitely about heroin use. i was a former heroin addict. the part about ... jam another dragon down the hole ... comes from a saying about heroin/opiates ... getting high the first time gets u smacked but after words youll never get as high as your first time. that is called (chasing the dragon ) a high u can never get... he is basically saying he is gonna bang another useless rig .
"Someone feed the monkey while I dig in search of China / White as Dracula as I approach the bottom"
this song is fucking mystery to me. and these two lines keep playing in my head and they are driving me insane. WHAT THE HELL DO THEY MEAN?! FEED THE MONKEY?!!! enlighten me, or i will surely DIE.
"Someone feed the monkey" :Addiction is the monkey.(monkey on one's back)<br /> <br /> "while I dig in search of China" :trying to find drugs or the money to buy said drugs can feel like trying to dig to China<br /> <br /> "white as Dracula as I approach the bottom" :Ever see a junkie? You could definitely say they are as white as Dracula.<br /> <br /> china white also refers to a type of heroin.<br /> <br /> and approaching the bottom is pretty straightforward<br /> <br /> as stated before by personaldemon
@deep_and_down the "monkey on your back" and when he says dig in search of China, I think he is referring to digging into your veins with needles (heroin addiction)
i understand what u mean Esenthiel- i dont dislike the song but i am absolutely crazy about the lyrics. I can completely relate to the lines "Devil has my ear today /I'll never hear a word you say /He promised I would find a little/ Solace and some peace of mind/ Whatever, just as long as I don't feel so..."
To me it seems that he is describing his depression from his addiction & that he will do anything (even if it will only prolong his pain) to make it go away.
such a fucking cool song
defintly one of my favorites, "dragon" is the mythical creature u never catch, thus chasing the dragon. drugs are the same way, you chase the high but its never what you want or at least enough of it. this song is the epitimy of alcoholism/drug addiction. the three components are all covered. the physical craving, the mental obsesion, both self explanitory,but the most important aspect of this disease is the spiritual malady, the restless, irritable and discontent feeling we have until we pick up again (provided we dont find the spiritual solution) . this song has it all, thanks apc
As a reply to ObessiveTendencies:
The dragon could be referring to "Chasing the dragon". This could narrow the scope to the use of heroin. If u would find dragons anywhere...its in China. The monkey could also represent his own body(a lesser being than the "smart homo sapien") wich the abuser knowingly neglects. The (heroin) abuser is turning white(literally) from neglecting his body's needs(food, maintainence, regular sleep, relaxation etc etc) while he chases the dragon to China (somewhere he will never arrive). Any drug user can tell u that the search for the good or ultimate kick is always there, and almost never fullfilled. (Almost) every shot's result dissapoints you but u keep using cause the next shot might get u to China.
Hope this shines a new light on that particular bit of a great song.
jam another dragon down the hole....thats referencing the mechanics of a needle as you push the plunger and the drugs go into yur veins...
I love the lyrics in this song, but I don't care much for the song itself. Can anyone else relate?