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.
Look at you
Such a fine citizen!
Look at you
Such a glowing example of peace and glory, glory, glory
Of peace and glory, glory, glory
Let me follow you
We believe in your power, to lead without fear
Not above, in some tower, but here
Right down here
With us, in this world
Look at you, everywhere at once
Look at you
Such a glowing example of peace and glory, glory, glory
Of peace and glory, glory, glory
Let me, let me follow, let me, let me follow you
Such a fine citizen!
Look at you
Such a glowing example of peace and glory, glory, glory
Of peace and glory, glory, glory
Let me follow you
We believe in your power, to lead without fear
Not above, in some tower, but here
Right down here
With us, in this world
Look at you, everywhere at once
Look at you
Such a glowing example of peace and glory, glory, glory
Of peace and glory, glory, glory
Let me, let me follow, let me, let me follow you
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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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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.
Mountain Song
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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."
When We Were Young
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This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
It is pretty obvious that Jim is talking about Jesus in this song, which is nothign new for his lyrics. Jim has always had many spiritual songs bordering on gospel. Maybe you have to see him live to really connect the dots, I don't know.
I like some of the imagination in these responses, but this song was written prior to Obama being a national figure, and it would be kind of a stretch to say it is mocking Bush - especially considering the raw emotion he puts into singing this song, particularly during live performances.
I am sure Jim is a liberal guy, but he is also very spiritual.
not ABOVE in some tower, rather than ABOUT
It's 100% about Obama. Jim just talked about it at the most recent show. What a disappointment. I don't care if he leans left, right, or indifferent, but I really think it would have been best to leave it to the imagination of the listener. Ruined.
It sounds to me like a message to God. Saying that we believe in your power to lead us, walking with us every day.
this song seems to draw upon a double religious/political metaphor, possibly jim james singing about an ideal presidential candidate.
the "good citizen", "power to lead to without fear" and "peace and glory" could be adjectives to describe this ideal leader but also could be attributed to a religious figure.
i dont think its religious. more about what we need for this country. Though jim james has commented on his love of gospel and old R&B and the influence it may have had on this album
This seems like a religious song to me, as well, although I can definitely see how it refers a poltical leader ("Such a fine citizen!") as well. But he also sings of the "You" being "Not about, in some tower/But here-right down here-/With us/In this world" and being "Everywhere at once", which really makes me think it's about God. "Thank You Too" from this album has some religious overtones, too.
I would have to agree with Motthamble in saying that this is purely a spiritual song. I don't see how people draw so many interpretations of involving Bush these days...
I don't know who its about, but I think its meant to be very sarcastic. Just the line "look at you" has a very taunting connotation.
Seems to me that Jim James is being ironical. He's skewering our current president, George W. Bush. He's commenting on the admiration and devotion that many of Bush's followers heap on him because of his faith--that Bush is somehow annointed by God as our leader. James is mocking those folks as well as the president. His repetition of the word glory means something as well. He is slyly pointing out that Bush has always really been about glory and nothing meaningful or spiritual at all. Glory also starts with G, like the president's name. That may be another clue. I know that last bit's a stretch, but...who knows. I havent heard Jim James discuss his poetry much.