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.
I might lost my leg in the war
What war? The war of love.
My girl's a real shark
I'm not gonna try to uh debate it, not everybodys perfect
My baby told me, "Darling if you can't get a pardon, better get a parole"
I told her I'd be out by morning when the sun is dawning with a money roll
Ooh we, that gal's the gal for me
She loves me tenderly
I walked with my brand new slacks and my hair slick back down to Donny's pier
Donny wants me to buy him a bottle but I blew my wallet on a chandelier
All for my loving gal Eleanor who loves the elderly
A bottle of scotch
A dimesack and a diamond watch
Wouldn't you like that
A bottle of gin
A typewriter and a violin
Wouldn't you like that
Whoa! James Felice on the piano. Real talent. Alright Jimmy that's enough let's wrap it up.
Ooh we, that gal's the gal for me
She loves me tenderly
I left my blue-eyed lady and went with Tony Mercedes to the gambling room
I lost my diamond watch but in the parking lot I took back again
Oh man you've got to understand
She loves me tenderly
A bottle of scotch
A dimesack and a diamond watch
Wouldn't you like that
A bottle of gin (what)
A typewriter and a violin
Wouldn't you like that
A sunny day, a shotgun and a Chevrolet
Wouldn't you like that
A painted scene of horses on the city green
Wouldn't you like that
A microwave, a pillbox and a jack of spades
Wouldn't you like that
What war? The war of love.
My girl's a real shark
I'm not gonna try to uh debate it, not everybodys perfect
My baby told me, "Darling if you can't get a pardon, better get a parole"
I told her I'd be out by morning when the sun is dawning with a money roll
Ooh we, that gal's the gal for me
She loves me tenderly
I walked with my brand new slacks and my hair slick back down to Donny's pier
Donny wants me to buy him a bottle but I blew my wallet on a chandelier
All for my loving gal Eleanor who loves the elderly
A bottle of scotch
A dimesack and a diamond watch
Wouldn't you like that
A bottle of gin
A typewriter and a violin
Wouldn't you like that
Whoa! James Felice on the piano. Real talent. Alright Jimmy that's enough let's wrap it up.
Ooh we, that gal's the gal for me
She loves me tenderly
I left my blue-eyed lady and went with Tony Mercedes to the gambling room
I lost my diamond watch but in the parking lot I took back again
Oh man you've got to understand
She loves me tenderly
A bottle of scotch
A dimesack and a diamond watch
Wouldn't you like that
A bottle of gin (what)
A typewriter and a violin
Wouldn't you like that
A sunny day, a shotgun and a Chevrolet
Wouldn't you like that
A painted scene of horses on the city green
Wouldn't you like that
A microwave, a pillbox and a jack of spades
Wouldn't you like that
Lyrics submitted by rockisgroovy
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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.
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."
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
loooove this song :] (also, it's "a painted scene of horses on the city green" at the end)
What are the background vocals saying?
"I had an electric blanket as a kid and it burned my feet<br /> My dad was elected fire-chief again in 1983<br /> The volunteers all loved him in his shiny reds and browns<br /> They'd raise their beers above them singing burn this mother down<br /> And the sirens call I had an electric blanket as a kid and it burned my feet"<br /> <br /> There is something after shiny reds and browns but I can't make it out.
"as I recall"
I think the second line is, "What war? The war of love."
And the line "I left my blue-eyed lady when we we toting a mercedes through the gambling man" is actually "I left my blue-eyed lady and went with Tony Mercedes to the gambling room."
You are correct on both.
Corrections, I think. "I told her I'd be out by morning when the sun is dawning with a money roll" "All for my loving gal Lenore who loves the elderly"