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 used to love a lot of things
You used to love talking
This you never told me about
If it's what your eyes were saying
I already figured it out
I could just tell it was bad
I couldn't tell how bad
You never took off your shades
And you stayed like that for days
I guess your pain never weakened
Your cool blood started burning
Scorching most of us in the flames
But there are things you can't change
There are things you can't change
You called that the curse of a human's life
That you couldn't change
Said you'd never be old enough
Or young enough
Tall enough
Or thin enough
Or smart enough
Or brave enough
Rich enough
Pretty enough
Strong enough
Good enough
Well you were to us
You wanted silence by itself
Just the word
You wanted peace by itself
Just to learn
There were things you couldn't change
You got the dull pounding rain
You got the last car in the long desert train
You almost made it
You almost made it again
You used to love talking
This you never told me about
If it's what your eyes were saying
I already figured it out
I could just tell it was bad
I couldn't tell how bad
You never took off your shades
And you stayed like that for days
I guess your pain never weakened
Your cool blood started burning
Scorching most of us in the flames
But there are things you can't change
There are things you can't change
You called that the curse of a human's life
That you couldn't change
Said you'd never be old enough
Or young enough
Tall enough
Or thin enough
Or smart enough
Or brave enough
Rich enough
Pretty enough
Strong enough
Good enough
Well you were to us
You wanted silence by itself
Just the word
You wanted peace by itself
Just to learn
There were things you couldn't change
You got the dull pounding rain
You got the last car in the long desert train
You almost made it
You almost made it again
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Light Up The Sky
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
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.
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.
Page
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There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
This is one of Molina's best songs ever! It' made me cry many, many times... it's simple beauty!!! Molina is one of the greatest poets of our time... I really have no words to explain all the emotions this whole album( Pyramid Electric Co.) gives me. Listen to it! Over and over again. It's absolutely brilliant!!!
It's about never being good enough for some people. I know it well. As for the singer, isn't he the lead in some bad with a flower for its name...Magnolia, or something. I LOVED listening to that band years ago. Thanks for reminding me I need to listen again...
Magnolia Electric Company, I believe :) WoW. I believe I actually recall its name! Woot!
I believe this song is addressed to a friend, family member, or a former lover. This person was once cheerful, easy-going, and loving but then they slowly started to succumb to something like depression, addiction, or maybe a disease. They never really mentioned their worsening problems but it started to become apparent to the writer that something was wrong. The writer tried to comfort this person by telling them there "things you can't change" but their loved one only saw that as the "curse of a human's life." That person felt as if they would never be enough for what or who they wanted in life (or old/young/tall/thin/smart/brave/rich/pretty/strong/ or good enough) but the writer assured that they are more than enough. Refusing to believe this, they started to consider giving up ("you wanted silence/peace by itself") and ultimately the depression and emptiness drove that person to abandon everything they knew either mentally or physically ("you caught the last car in the long desert train") and ultimately this person disappeared and maybe even took their own life. They almost made it.
That's my interpretation of the song. The music is so simple yet the lyrics are very emotional and personal. I feel as if I'm going through this now with a lover I'm afraid to lose to the same circumstances. Jason Molina was one hell of a song writer. RIP.