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.
Close friend of mine as a child fell into a slumber
No sign of life since '75
Then one day he just, what do you know
I' guessing God just called his number
He called me up he called me up and said
"I've been awake about a week
I'm thinking about asking the doctor
If he could put me back to sleep"
Then he laughed and said
"Hey all the girls they look the same"
Don't they know just what their mothers
Paid in blood, and tears to change
But the words that made me cry
The thing he softly said
It stayed with me, it keeps messing with my head
He said, "If Jesus Christ is alive and well
And how come John and Elvis are dead?"
Youth, beautiful youth
We walked through the walls until we found the truth
And said "Change it, it's ugly just change it"
Everyone we used to know
Must have given up, so long ago
You can see it, it's written on their faces
And the inside of their clothes
But the words that made me cry
'Cause I knew just what they meant
He turned to me and said
"Hey boy, if Jesus Christ is alive and well
Then how come John and Elvis are dead?"
"Tell me if Jesus Christ is alive and well
Then how come Marvin and Elvis are dead?"
I said, if Jesus Christ is gonna save us from ourselves
Then, how come peace, love and Elvis are dead?
How come?
No sign of life since '75
Then one day he just, what do you know
I' guessing God just called his number
He called me up he called me up and said
"I've been awake about a week
I'm thinking about asking the doctor
If he could put me back to sleep"
Then he laughed and said
"Hey all the girls they look the same"
Don't they know just what their mothers
Paid in blood, and tears to change
But the words that made me cry
The thing he softly said
It stayed with me, it keeps messing with my head
He said, "If Jesus Christ is alive and well
And how come John and Elvis are dead?"
Youth, beautiful youth
We walked through the walls until we found the truth
And said "Change it, it's ugly just change it"
Everyone we used to know
Must have given up, so long ago
You can see it, it's written on their faces
And the inside of their clothes
But the words that made me cry
'Cause I knew just what they meant
He turned to me and said
"Hey boy, if Jesus Christ is alive and well
Then how come John and Elvis are dead?"
"Tell me if Jesus Christ is alive and well
Then how come Marvin and Elvis are dead?"
I said, if Jesus Christ is gonna save us from ourselves
Then, how come peace, love and Elvis are dead?
How come?
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Mountain Song
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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."
I Can't Go To Sleep
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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Just A Little Lovin'
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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/
I think this song represents everything that is meant to be good in life, and asks why some good things last forever and others don't; 'If Jesus Christ is alive and well, then how come John & Elvis are dead?'.
a poem based on a nice simple idea. well done
I think the friend in the first verse is obviously made-up, as if someone slipped into a coma in the 70's and had just woken up int e 2004 when it was written. bearing in mind michael writes a lot of material when completely stoned! The friend finds out John and elvis are dead....the women's movement appears to count for nothing as all the girls look the same....the lack to me is all about the lack of youth / pop culture in today's society, something micahel has plugged a few times
This page is missing alot of lyrics at the beginning of the song, it starts with "Close friend of mine" then something else then "fell into a slumber" then "no sign of life since 75" then it continues with "Then one day he just, what do you know" As for the meaning, i heard this song was about his relationship with Elton John but iunno if by relationship it meant just a friendship or a boyfriend cuz i can't find any proof that says they dated. Does anyone know?
This song is about George Michael’s existentially bereft, heart-piercingly sad reaction to a poignant question posed by someone with the ‘advantage’ of missed time & so starker perspective from which to notice the need for the (mostly rhetorical), question. And it’s not really even a question. It’s a forlorn observation that ‘Jesus’ isn’t, wasn’t ever, a real entity. Or, at least an entity anything like the one the world has been taught. There is no reason the close friend was niot an actual person held dear by a very young George & later reunited: there is no reason this close friend was not perhaps George himself, the slumber not being a physical one.
From George himself:
youtu.be/N4Mm9DzkZV8
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