Both as a standalone and as part of the DSOTS album, you can take this lyric as read. As a matter of public record, Jourgensen's drug intake was legendary even in the 1980s. By the late 90s, in his own words, he was grappling with massive addiction issues and had lost almost everything: friends, spouse, money and had nearly died more than once. "Dark Side of the Spoon" is a both funny & sad title for an album made by a musical genius who was losing the plot; and this song is a message to his fans & friends saying he knows it. It's painful to listen to so I'm glad the "Keith Richards of industrial metals" wised up and cleaned up. Well done sir.
When will the pages stop turning?
How could there possible be this many?
My fingers are burning from turning
What feels like a million pages to me, no.
Makes no difference to me.
I'm up to me knees with miles to go.
No way to really know
What's left to find about the character,
Lending his life to the shortest ending.
Is this the end of the story finally coming?
Is this the end of the story finally?
It's a longest way to the shortest ending.
It's a longest way to the shortest ending.
Arguments, happiness, lie with a smile.
Popularity contests, and miracle miles of traveling
Weather for days; Skies were a blaze.
One thousand degrees even under the shade.
Trying everything just to finish this.
It's taking everything to keep me from giving this
All up for a chance to see the beginning and shortest ending.
Is this the end of the story finally coming?
Is this the end of the story finally?
It's a longest way to the shortest ending.
It's a longest way to the shortest ending.
No matter how hard I try to deny,
It denies me one hundred times more.
I could say everything right;
I'm still going to be wrong, just like I was before.
Well I'm starting the story again.
Understanding the way this will end
Will still be an end loose from pretending.
We will when we know that we won't,
Saying you do when you know that you don't.
Is this the end of the story finally coming?
Is this the end of the story finally?
It's a longest way to the shortest ending.
It's a longest way to the shortest ending.
It's a longest way to the shortest ending.
It's a longest way to the shortest ending.
Shortest ending!
How could there possible be this many?
My fingers are burning from turning
What feels like a million pages to me, no.
Makes no difference to me.
I'm up to me knees with miles to go.
No way to really know
What's left to find about the character,
Lending his life to the shortest ending.
Is this the end of the story finally coming?
Is this the end of the story finally?
It's a longest way to the shortest ending.
It's a longest way to the shortest ending.
Arguments, happiness, lie with a smile.
Popularity contests, and miracle miles of traveling
Weather for days; Skies were a blaze.
One thousand degrees even under the shade.
Trying everything just to finish this.
It's taking everything to keep me from giving this
All up for a chance to see the beginning and shortest ending.
Is this the end of the story finally coming?
Is this the end of the story finally?
It's a longest way to the shortest ending.
It's a longest way to the shortest ending.
No matter how hard I try to deny,
It denies me one hundred times more.
I could say everything right;
I'm still going to be wrong, just like I was before.
Well I'm starting the story again.
Understanding the way this will end
Will still be an end loose from pretending.
We will when we know that we won't,
Saying you do when you know that you don't.
Is this the end of the story finally coming?
Is this the end of the story finally?
It's a longest way to the shortest ending.
It's a longest way to the shortest ending.
It's a longest way to the shortest ending.
It's a longest way to the shortest ending.
Shortest ending!
Lyrics submitted by TranceRufus
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Ministry
Ministry
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
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."
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
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."
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
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/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Sounds to me like he's either waiting for death, or contemplating suicide. Death/Suicide would be the "shortest ending," as they happen quite quickly compared to one's lifespan (the "longest beginning").
The suicide angle, for me, comes from this part, where he implies that he's tired of life:  It's taking everything to keep me from giving this  All up for a chance to see the beginning and shortest ending
It also sounds like he may believe in reincarnation from this line: Â Well I'm starting the story again. Â Understanding the way this will end