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.
Right foot
Followed by a left foot
We'll guide you home before your curfew
And into your bed
Standing on our tip-toes
Peering through open windows
I swear I heard my name
Sitting with the lights off
Waiting for my brain to storm
Trying to work things out
It's thunder and it's lightning
And it's all things too frightening
I could barely see outside
Your body was black and blue
Been struck twice there's nothing new
Your body was black and blue
Been struck twice there's nothing new
Your body was black and blue, your body was black and blue
Your body was black and blue, your body was black and blue
Your body was black and blue, your body was black and blue
Your body was black and blue, your body was black
And there's thunder
And there's lightning
Coming home
And there's thunder
And there's lightning
Coming back
Your body was black and blue
Your body was black and blue
And your body
I have to say goodnight
I'm leaving before you're punching out my lights
I have to say goodnight
I'm leaving before you're punching out my lights
I have to say goodnight
I'm leaving before you're punching out my lights
I have to say goodnight
I'm leaving before you're punching out my lights
I'm leaving
Followed by a left foot
We'll guide you home before your curfew
And into your bed
Standing on our tip-toes
Peering through open windows
I swear I heard my name
Sitting with the lights off
Waiting for my brain to storm
Trying to work things out
It's thunder and it's lightning
And it's all things too frightening
I could barely see outside
Your body was black and blue
Been struck twice there's nothing new
Your body was black and blue
Been struck twice there's nothing new
Your body was black and blue, your body was black and blue
Your body was black and blue, your body was black and blue
Your body was black and blue, your body was black and blue
Your body was black and blue, your body was black
And there's thunder
And there's lightning
Coming home
And there's thunder
And there's lightning
Coming back
Your body was black and blue
Your body was black and blue
And your body
I have to say goodnight
I'm leaving before you're punching out my lights
I have to say goodnight
I'm leaving before you're punching out my lights
I have to say goodnight
I'm leaving before you're punching out my lights
I have to say goodnight
I'm leaving before you're punching out my lights
I'm leaving
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Standing On The Edge Of Summer
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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."
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."
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.
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.
The opening verse starts with the image of having to help someone with their walking, as if they are in a stupor from being in an accident or being too dazed/drunk to keep going. Judging by the second verse, which speaks of someone paranoid that they're hearing their name - I'd say the song is from the perspective of someone who blames themselves for what has happened.
I'm guessing the person feels guilt, or remorse, that they have caused so much pain to their significant other. The line "waiting for my brain to start" (or "storm" as some have suggested), amidst the imagery of thunder and lightning striking seems like it's speaking about rage: since he is unable to get the brain to do what it normally does, which is to think.
This leads me to believe, along with the lines "Your body was black and blue/It struck twice there's nothing new" and the fact that we all know that there may eventually be a lightning storm during rainy seasons, that this is in fact a metaphor for a very violent relationship. Maybe an argument turned violent and he struck his significant other in such a way that they are now struggling to even get up and walk. The paranoia that someone was watching is evident from "standing on tip-toes" and the guilt of "oh God, not again," from the "there's nothing new."
The last lines all indicate a bit of cowardice - rather than deal with the real problem (his own rage), he is simply going to leave. This isn't to say he's gone forever, he may just cool off, come back and sweet talk the girl/guy back into his life only to have the cycle repeat itself again.
These are, after all, very frightening things in a relationship.
Whoa. Quite an interpretation. Well done. Great song!
great interpretation indeed. Cheers mate.