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.
This whole country is scared of failure.
My head keeps trying to sell me ambition.
But in my heart, I want self-respect.
There's a conflict.
Boy, I feel so outgunned today
But I'll get up and fight back, anyway
You and I are not huge mainstream stars
But unlike them, we're really what we are
We got Main Street eyes
Watchin' as the big boys roll by
Under rotten television skies
We got Main Street eyes
I saw a kitten squashed in the street
I read about a plastic surgeon and his art collection.
We are played for suckers all the time
Phony rock and roll
It's a crime
I don't want to dip myself in trash
I don't want to give myself for cash
We got Main Street eyes
Tryin' to do what's decent with our lives
Under funny television skies
We got Main Street eyes
Walkin' around sometimes
I see a tension under the surface
People are just about ready to explode.
So hold me, and trust me
I love you, don't worry.
Keep your Main Street eyes [Repeat: x3]
Eyes
Eyes
My head keeps trying to sell me ambition.
But in my heart, I want self-respect.
There's a conflict.
Boy, I feel so outgunned today
But I'll get up and fight back, anyway
You and I are not huge mainstream stars
But unlike them, we're really what we are
We got Main Street eyes
Watchin' as the big boys roll by
Under rotten television skies
We got Main Street eyes
I saw a kitten squashed in the street
I read about a plastic surgeon and his art collection.
We are played for suckers all the time
Phony rock and roll
It's a crime
I don't want to dip myself in trash
I don't want to give myself for cash
We got Main Street eyes
Tryin' to do what's decent with our lives
Under funny television skies
We got Main Street eyes
Walkin' around sometimes
I see a tension under the surface
People are just about ready to explode.
So hold me, and trust me
I love you, don't worry.
Keep your Main Street eyes [Repeat: x3]
Eyes
Eyes
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The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Mountain Song
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"'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 my favourite Iggy Pop solo tracks.
I think the song is about ordinary people who lead ordinary lives, but they are constantly getting mind "fuc ked" by television programs and celebrities.
"We are played for suckers all the time Phony rock and roll It's a crime I don't want to dip myself in trash I don't want to give myself for cash"
This could mean that the ordinary person is a sucker, being sold somekind of false dream. He does not want to be a sell-out who would do anything for cash.
"We got Main Street eyes Tryin' to do what's decent with our lives"
The masses do their best to lead decent lives, but they als have eyes on the mainstream.
"Walkin' around sometimes I see a tension under the surface People are just about ready to explode."
This line could be about life in the city. I remember Trevanian wrote "you see fear and fury in the faces of city dwellers". Iggy could be talking about the same thing.
"You and I aare not huge mainstream stars But unlike them, we're really what we are"
Iggy trying to say that mainstream rock stars and celebrities are just putting up a big act?
"Boy, I feel so outgunned today But I'll get up and fight back, anyway"
Its like when you watch TV or read a newspaper and you feel that everyone else is better off than you are. But you just want to keep trying, despite knowing deep in your heart that nothing good will come out of it.