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.
I've built walls around me.
I've surrounded myself with everything that's gotten me here.
But I'm tired of apologizing,
And I'm tired of running from the things that I can't hide from.
And it's hard to believe in yourself
And it's hard to believe anything
But I've learned forgiveness
And I've learned sincerity
"Burn a bridge or be left behind, spead your wings and be proud of who you are, you choose what to carry with you"
And I've burned bigger bridges than you.
And I'm not afraid to let go this time
And it's hard to believe good intentions, but i'm not afraid.
I'm looking for something I don't know how to ask for.
"Spread your wings and be proud of who you are, you choose what to carry with you"
And I've burned bigger bridges than you.
I've build walls around me.
I've moved on from everything that's gotten me here.
"The ends will justify the means"
I've left you behind.
I know you've been waiting for the right chance to stick this knife in my back.
This chance is mine.
I've left you behind.
This is the last time you will make me painfully aware of how humiliated these open arms I've held for you have made me.
I've surrounded myself with everything that's gotten me here.
But I'm tired of apologizing,
And I'm tired of running from the things that I can't hide from.
And it's hard to believe in yourself
And it's hard to believe anything
But I've learned forgiveness
And I've learned sincerity
"Burn a bridge or be left behind, spead your wings and be proud of who you are, you choose what to carry with you"
And I've burned bigger bridges than you.
And I'm not afraid to let go this time
And it's hard to believe good intentions, but i'm not afraid.
I'm looking for something I don't know how to ask for.
"Spread your wings and be proud of who you are, you choose what to carry with you"
And I've burned bigger bridges than you.
I've build walls around me.
I've moved on from everything that's gotten me here.
"The ends will justify the means"
I've left you behind.
I know you've been waiting for the right chance to stick this knife in my back.
This chance is mine.
I've left you behind.
This is the last time you will make me painfully aware of how humiliated these open arms I've held for you have made me.
Lyrics submitted by A Shoelace
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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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."
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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,