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.
Doctor, doctor tell me the time of day
Another bottle's empty, another penny spent
He turned around and he slowly walked away
They shot him in the back and down he went
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
From the Liverpool docks to the red-light Hamburg streets
Down in the quarry with the Quarry men
Playing to the big crowds, playing to the cheap seats
Another day in the life on your way to your journey's end
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
Sailin' through the trade winds bound for the south
Rags on your back just like any other slave
They tied your hands and they clamped your mouth
Wasn't no way out of that deep dark cave
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
I heard the news today, oh boy
They hauled your ship up on the shore
Now the city gone dark, there is no more joy
They tore the heart right out and cut him to the core
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
Put on your bags and get 'em packed
Leave right now, you won't be far from wrong
The sooner you go the quicker you'll be back
You've been cooped up on an island far too long
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
Slow down you're moving way too fast
Come together right now over me
Your bones are weary, you're about to breathe your last
Lord, you know how hard that it can be
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
Roll on, John, roll through the rain and snow
Take the right-hand road and go where the buffalo roam
They'll trap you in an ambush before you know
Too late now to sail back home
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
Tyger, tyger burning bright
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
In the forests of the night
Cover 'em over and let him sleep
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
Another bottle's empty, another penny spent
He turned around and he slowly walked away
They shot him in the back and down he went
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
From the Liverpool docks to the red-light Hamburg streets
Down in the quarry with the Quarry men
Playing to the big crowds, playing to the cheap seats
Another day in the life on your way to your journey's end
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
Sailin' through the trade winds bound for the south
Rags on your back just like any other slave
They tied your hands and they clamped your mouth
Wasn't no way out of that deep dark cave
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
I heard the news today, oh boy
They hauled your ship up on the shore
Now the city gone dark, there is no more joy
They tore the heart right out and cut him to the core
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
Put on your bags and get 'em packed
Leave right now, you won't be far from wrong
The sooner you go the quicker you'll be back
You've been cooped up on an island far too long
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
Slow down you're moving way too fast
Come together right now over me
Your bones are weary, you're about to breathe your last
Lord, you know how hard that it can be
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
Roll on, John, roll through the rain and snow
Take the right-hand road and go where the buffalo roam
They'll trap you in an ambush before you know
Too late now to sail back home
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
Tyger, tyger burning bright
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
In the forests of the night
Cover 'em over and let him sleep
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
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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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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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."
It's clearly a tribute to John Lennon.
The last verse is a reference the William Blake poem, "Tiger, Tiger." Dylan references his work a lot... such as Little Boy Lost in Visions of Johanna
"TIGER, tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?"
This is clearly about John Lennon. He went from Liverpool to Hamburg. There are so many references to Lennon lyrics in it as well as the music referencing the styles of some of the tracks on John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band: "My Mummy's Dead", "Well, Well, Well" and "God".
From the Liverpool docks to the red light Hamburg streets biography Down in the quarry with the Quarrymen. first band Playing to the big crowds Playing to the cheap seats referencing John's comment to the Queen at the Royal Variety Concert Another day in your life until your journey’s end. Day in The Life lyric from Sergeant Pepper I heard the news today, oh boy direct quote from Day in the Life Come together right now over me quote from Abbey Road song Come Together I've only just realised all of this having looked at the lyrics. Just liked the song when I first heard it. some of it chimed with me today so had to check it out.
It is without a doubt about John Winston Lennon. It's painfully obvious. Sadly John was shot in the back after signing a few autographs in front of his home at the Dakota building in New York. Buffalo, Dakota the land where they roam and the Dakota apartment block outside which Lennon was ambushed and shot. The last verse is a nod to William Blake.
I can hear this catchy tune again and again. Thanks to EsmonDo for the collection of identifiers for John Lennon. The song is not only a tribute to John Lennon but a wish to have John’s bright light shining on.
Lennon became a victim of various anonymous actors. They made him a “slave”, “tied your hands and they clamped your mouth”, “tore the heart right out and cut it to the core” and finally “shot him in the back”. Still he shone (and still shines) a bright light, which means that he makes things visible that need attention and correction. He was a provoking actor for peace and sharing. “Imagine no possession”, “All we are saying is give peace a chance.” I understand Dylan’s song as a contribution to keeping Lennon’s message alive.
It's clear that Bob wrote it about John Lennon. One of the best songs about the Beatles and the absolute best tribute to Beatle Johnny Rebel. Thanks to Dylan for honoring Lennon in a most respectful way. We need more songs of friendship in rock & roll. From One Friend to Another!! Roll On John!-Rock in Peace!!
It could be about JJ Cale. His last album was called "Roll On". Also, his full name was John Weldon Cale
A series of lives as they are ending. "the sooner you go, the sooner you"ll be back" clearly pertains to re-incarnating from one life as you die to the next life when you come back.
he is singing about John Brown the abolitionist
Did an intellectually and emotionally stunted drunk 20 year old keep him company nightly with her Pink-brand undies and her lean legs spread. And did he suffer from S.A.D. Wow...some kind of sad. We should all suffer from that kind of depression :-)