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,
Making money, save my mind
Made up manic form you take,
Fuck you!!!
Close your eyes and believe
Believe that the garden is all that you need
Believe you must bow to your knees
Believe what you want to believe
... Just believe
I'm free!
... Alive!
I'm master!
... And commander!
... Of my life!
... Of my fate!
... Of my faith
... In us!
We're all we have now.
Alone.
We're all we have now...
Who?
Made up manic form you take,
Fuck you!!!
Close your eyes and believe
Believe that the garden is all that you need
Believe you must bow to your knees
Believe what you want to believe
... Just believe
I'm free!
... Alive!
I'm master!
... And commander!
... Of my life!
... Of my fate!
... Of my faith
... In us!
We're all we have now.
Alone.
We're all we have now...
Who?
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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/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
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Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
It sounds like he's telling people not to force feed him their religious beliefs, as he chooses to be atheist.
along with most of the other songs off Alien. this song is about women in relationships.
'Close your eyes and believe Believe that the garden is all that you need Believe you must bow to your knees'
beleave that all you need is a ralationship and that you must do anything to keep your woman, even bow to your knees.
don't beleave it? try listening to 'Love?', 'We Ride' and 'Possessions' off of Alien.
also the Thalamus is one of two parts of the human brain that is responsable for aggressive behavior. thus furthering the relationship thing. one of the couple, the thalamus. creating aggression.
I can't really disagree with the love theme of Alien, but it was a stretch for me personally to view this song in a romantic sense (for want of a better word). I can definitely see what you mean after looking further into it. I suppose it can sort of represent the solving of a dispute between a couple, and each of them putting their differences aside and just believing that they'll work out. I think in this context, the 'believes' would be about what people do to solve fights, whether they concede and beg for forgiveness ('bow to your knees'), or distract themselves with a garden or hobby, generally saying believe in anything that will stop you from walking out of that relationship. Contrary to 'Love?', the persona of the song comes to a realisation that HE is in control of his life, not his partner and not the fact that he's in love, the line 'of my faith in us' just assures us that he's not saying he's in control of the other person either, just himself.
But I looked up Thalamus, and it looks like it's about the senses and sleep and stuff. Didn't see anything about aggression. Sciency stuff confuses me, so I couldn't say exactly what the Thalamus is/does, though, lol.
Just found out in ancient history today, 'Thalamus' was the greek word for 'wedding chamber' which makes sense.