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.
Those chariots, racing your run, autographing flooded slums.
Those chariots, they never sleep, chased you down a lilac's lung.
Rat rider!
Rat rider!
Rat tails just sprout from your scalp.
Those chariots, they're closing in, made your wife from diesel fumes.
Those chariots with megaphones threw a bachelor party for you.
Rat rider!
Rat rider!
Soaked fur just dyes our dirty talk.
Every fang is polished gag-colored green like a sun so sick it only shines when it sinks.
Your mother's tethered to the tv set.
Your father's doing push-ups in the driveway again.
We want a coupon for a discount dream.
We want a forest just like a museum where the leaves are priceless antiques,
Memorabilia from a century kidnapped by grief.
Rat rider!
C'mon, rat rider!
Those chariots stamp their ID on disappointment's sobbing chords.
Those chariots trampled new filth on fantasies you can't afford.
Rat rider!
Rat rider!
Cold claws just ransacked your pockets.
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
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/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
These lyrics are just nuts. The song is so energetic, and Jordan Blilie's vocal skills really shine in this track.
Those chariots, racing your run, autographing flooded slums. Those chariots, they never sleep, chased you down a lilac's lung.
Rat Rider! Rat Rider! (Yeah!) Rat Rider! Rat Rider! (Yeah!)
Rat tails just, just, just, just sprout from your scalp.
Those chariots, they're closing in, made your wife from diesel fumes. Those chariots with megaphones threw a bachelor party for you.
Rat Rider! Rat Rider! (Yeah!) Rat Rider! Rat Rider! (Yeah!)
Soaked fur just, just, just, just dyes our dirty talk. Every fang is polished gag-colored green so, so sick it shines when it sinks.
Your mother's tethered to the tv set. Your father's doing push-ups in the driveway again.
We want a coupon for a discount dream. We want a forest just like a museum Wherever pine trees are priceless antiques, memorabilia from a century kidnapped by grief.
Rat Rider! C'mon, Rat Rider! Rat Rider! C'mon, Rat Rider! Rat Rider! C'mon, Rat Rider! Rat tails just, just, just, just sprout from your scalp.
Those chariots stamp their ID on disappointment's sobbing chords. Those chariots trampled new filth on fantasies you can't afford.
Rat Rider! Rat Rider! (Yeah!) Rat Rider! Rat Rider! (Yeah!)
Cold claws just, just, just, just ransacked your pockets.
Rat Rider! C'mon, Rat Rider! Rat Rider! C'mon, Rat Rider! Rat Rider! C'mon, Rat Rider! Rat Rider! C'mon, Rat Rider!
C'mon Rat Rider! C'mon Rat Rider!
this is by far one of my favorite blood brothers songs of all time. the whole era and mental environment this song builds at first listen creates a huge complex vision in my head that i cant even describe. the awesome-ness is overwhelming and oh my god.
now on to my interpretation. i think the 'chariots' are maybe drugs of some sort? they race your run, maybe its speed, they kinda go for you, live your life, control it. they autograph everythign for the kids and you dont even know whats going on because youre fucked up on drugs? and they deal with your wife and everything. and the rat rider is shit i dotn fucking know. i just htink its about something that controls your life, or controls what you want and imagination. idk. there. run with it. any otehr ideas? i suck.
i should have asked johnny when i met him.
i had that bastard sign my ipod yes i did. =P
this is my fave song off the new album.
mine too
memorabilia from a century kidnapped by grief.
cries