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.
Go tell it on the mountain
Life uncommon
From a distance
When I was a seeker
I sought both night and day
I asked the Lord to help me
And He showed me the way
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
He made me a watchman
Up on the city wall
And if I am a Christian
I am the least of all
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
He made me a watchman
Up on the city wall
And if I am a Christian
I am the least of all
While shepherds kept their watching
O'er wandering flock by night
Behold! From out of the heavens
There shone a holy light
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
He made me a watchman
Up on the city wall
And if I am a Christian
I am the least of all
God is watching us, God is watching us
God is watching us from a distance
God is watching us, God is watching us
God is watching us (from a distance)
I've heard your anguish
Oh! I've heard your hearts cry out
We're tired, Oh! We are weary
Oh! We aren't worn out
Set down your chains
'Til only faith remains
Set down your chains
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
He made me a watchman
Up on the city wall
And if I am a Christian
I am the least of all
And lend your voices
Only to sounds of freedom
Oh, no longer lend your strength to that
Which you wish to be free from
Fill your lives with love and bravery
And we shall lead a life uncommon
There are plenty of people
Who pray for peace
But if praying were enough
Oh! It would have come to be
Don't ever let your words enslave no one
And the heavens will hush themselves
To hear our voices ring out clear
With sounds of freedom
Sounds of freedom
Come on you unbelievers
Oh! Move out of the way
There is a new army coming
Oh! And we are armed with faith
Oh! To live, Oh! We must give
Oh! To live
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
He made me a watchman
Up on the city wall
And if I am a Christian
I am the least of all
God is watching us, God is watching us,
God is watching us from a distance
God is watching us, God is watching us,
God is watching us from a distance
Life uncommon
From a distance
When I was a seeker
I sought both night and day
I asked the Lord to help me
And He showed me the way
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
He made me a watchman
Up on the city wall
And if I am a Christian
I am the least of all
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
He made me a watchman
Up on the city wall
And if I am a Christian
I am the least of all
While shepherds kept their watching
O'er wandering flock by night
Behold! From out of the heavens
There shone a holy light
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
He made me a watchman
Up on the city wall
And if I am a Christian
I am the least of all
God is watching us, God is watching us
God is watching us from a distance
God is watching us, God is watching us
God is watching us (from a distance)
I've heard your anguish
Oh! I've heard your hearts cry out
We're tired, Oh! We are weary
Oh! We aren't worn out
Set down your chains
'Til only faith remains
Set down your chains
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
He made me a watchman
Up on the city wall
And if I am a Christian
I am the least of all
And lend your voices
Only to sounds of freedom
Oh, no longer lend your strength to that
Which you wish to be free from
Fill your lives with love and bravery
And we shall lead a life uncommon
There are plenty of people
Who pray for peace
But if praying were enough
Oh! It would have come to be
Don't ever let your words enslave no one
And the heavens will hush themselves
To hear our voices ring out clear
With sounds of freedom
Sounds of freedom
Come on you unbelievers
Oh! Move out of the way
There is a new army coming
Oh! And we are armed with faith
Oh! To live, Oh! We must give
Oh! To live
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
He made me a watchman
Up on the city wall
And if I am a Christian
I am the least of all
God is watching us, God is watching us,
God is watching us from a distance
God is watching us, God is watching us,
God is watching us from a distance
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
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Hayalperest
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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."
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,
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.