I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Stay out super late tonight
Picking apples, making pies
Put a little something in our lemonade
And take it with us
We're half awake in a fake empire
We're half awake in a fake empire
Tiptoe through our shiny city
With our diamond slippers on
Do our gay ballet on ice
Bluebirds on our shoulders
We're half awake in a fake empire
We're half awake in a fake empire
Turn the light out, say goodnight
No thinking for a little while
Let's not try to figure out everything at once
It's hard to keep track of you falling through the sky
We're half awake in a fake empire
We're half awake in a fake empire
Picking apples, making pies
Put a little something in our lemonade
And take it with us
We're half awake in a fake empire
We're half awake in a fake empire
Tiptoe through our shiny city
With our diamond slippers on
Do our gay ballet on ice
Bluebirds on our shoulders
We're half awake in a fake empire
We're half awake in a fake empire
Turn the light out, say goodnight
No thinking for a little while
Let's not try to figure out everything at once
It's hard to keep track of you falling through the sky
We're half awake in a fake empire
We're half awake in a fake empire
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Dreamwalker
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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.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
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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/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Brilliant song! Here's a thought about the meaning. I wonder if this song is about finding a new love. There's a purity in the feeling of happiness when you initially fall in love, that 'honeymoon period', when you're like children - 'making pies', 'lemonade', 'tiptoe through the city', 'bluebirds', not worrying about what others think about your public displays ('do our gay ballet on ice').
You know the real world is out there and approaching (when honeymoon period is over, also your 'real' regular lives which are not as much fun as what you're experiencing when together). You're on such a natural high, you try to postpone the inevitability, try to ignore it ('no thinking for a little while') . 'Half-awake in a fake empire' could mean that you want to and try to have some control your life (your 'empire') but you know it's only partly true. You're trying to lie to yourself that you can stay in this happiness though you know you can't (you're 'half awake'). Seems to fit in a lot of ways, also in the emotional tension which does seem to leave a sense of optimism from the piano, drums, guitar and finally trumpet in the ending that the inevitable is okay, just enjoy the ride while it lasts. What do you think?
I agree with this for the most part. I especially agree with the interpretation of "Turn the light out/go to sleep/No thinking for a little while/Let's not try to figure out everything at once."<br /> <br /> I recently went through something that totally brought this song to life - especially this particular lyric. You consciously make an effort not to rush or label things because presently, things are great and the honeymoon period has just begun.
I think you could interpret these lyrics in that way if you want. For me though this song is more about the sorry state of affairs in the modern Western world.<br /> All the ideals of a perfect life are listed - apple pie, home-made lemonade, bluebirds on the shoulder, diamond slippers - all of these things make reference to fairly popular culture, capitalism if you like, and I think that this song is pointing out that the majority of us just take these things for granted. <br /> We just carry on living our lives oblivious to the many problems around us - hence the "half-asleep." <br /> The outro/last verse/chorus (whatever you want to call it!) lyrics for me are slightly ironic or sarcastic - telling everyone not to worry, and not to think about it anyway - because fuck it, noone IS thinking about it anyway. <br /> I have no explanation for the "hard to keep track of you - falling through the sky" line though. Could be something to do with terror attacks and people falling from planes or buildings? Very possibly not, but I don't know. <br /> For me it's an achingly sad and beautiful song. <br /> Let me know your thoughts...<br />