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.
Oh, I just don't get it, can't seem to make sense
I got some jumbled up thoughts in my jumbled up head
I keep stumbling around on some jumbled up legs
I keep grumbling out some jumbled up text
Holding up both sides on the side of the road
Holding up your store, holding up your home
With the evening news of filth and wounds
A picket and a funeral on Sunday afternoon
Oh, that light shines bright in your eyes
You gotta find your confidence, learn your lines
Pick your class, pick your crime
Better take a breath, take it quick
'Cause it's piling up, yeah, the layer's getting thick
And, oh, I just can't seem to find the time
Alligator skin
Oh yeah, you know that's how it is
Rubber-necking
Oh yeah, you know that's how it is
Trash piling
Oh yeah, you know that's how it is
When it's all so boring, 99 cents
Up in your face, you know they got it
Got plastic stacked on cheap bank cubes
A perfect place for them to hang their noose
And everyone's got a buy and they talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk about it
And they draw some line and make some point
Which way is right
And, oh, I just can't seem to find the time and that light shines bright in your eyes
Alligator skin
Oh yeah, you know that's how it is
Rubber-necking
Oh yeah, you know that's how it is
Trash piling
Oh yeah, you know that's how it is
Alligator skin
Oh yeah, you know that's how it is
Rubber-necking
Oh yeah, you know that's how it is
Trash piling
Oh yeah, you know that's how it's got to be
Oh no!
Yeah, it's got to be
Oh no!
That's how it's got to be
That's how it's got to be
I got some jumbled up thoughts in my jumbled up head
I keep stumbling around on some jumbled up legs
I keep grumbling out some jumbled up text
Holding up both sides on the side of the road
Holding up your store, holding up your home
With the evening news of filth and wounds
A picket and a funeral on Sunday afternoon
Oh, that light shines bright in your eyes
You gotta find your confidence, learn your lines
Pick your class, pick your crime
Better take a breath, take it quick
'Cause it's piling up, yeah, the layer's getting thick
And, oh, I just can't seem to find the time
Alligator skin
Oh yeah, you know that's how it is
Rubber-necking
Oh yeah, you know that's how it is
Trash piling
Oh yeah, you know that's how it is
When it's all so boring, 99 cents
Up in your face, you know they got it
Got plastic stacked on cheap bank cubes
A perfect place for them to hang their noose
And everyone's got a buy and they talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk about it
And they draw some line and make some point
Which way is right
And, oh, I just can't seem to find the time and that light shines bright in your eyes
Alligator skin
Oh yeah, you know that's how it is
Rubber-necking
Oh yeah, you know that's how it is
Trash piling
Oh yeah, you know that's how it is
Alligator skin
Oh yeah, you know that's how it is
Rubber-necking
Oh yeah, you know that's how it is
Trash piling
Oh yeah, you know that's how it's got to be
Oh no!
Yeah, it's got to be
Oh no!
That's how it's got to be
That's how it's got to be
Lyrics submitted by bakedalaska
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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."
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,
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.
it's about the music industry
"When it's all so boring, 99 cents Up in your face, you know they got it Got plastic stacked on cheap bank cubes A perfect place for them to hang their noose"
"And everyone's got a buy and they talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk about it And they draw some line and make some point Which way is right"
This is the most fun song on the new album in my opinion. It's got all the TATW aspects that we've come to know and love. (tap dancing, male vocals, guitar, keys, fun etc.)
I'm kind of disappointed with this song....the lyrics seem very juvenile, like they didn't put much thought into it....i don't know, it just isn't that great of a song in my opinion
i thought the lyrics had something to do with putting up a barrier to deal with problems in their life, but eventually it gets too thick and restricts him, and leaves him a breathless, rubbernecking spectator to life.
Also its a fun playful song.
I always listen to this whilst doing my homework. Trash piling = all the crap I've not done and need to get through. Doubt it's the original meaning, but it works for me. And it's so great to tap dance to!
I think the existing comments are wonderful!