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.
I've hit bottom rock
Swear I'm telling the truth
But down here I'm dark and confused
Oh, though I cannot tell if I'm paranoid
Or it's all in my head
It's all in my head
No signal out here
My thoughts are white noise
What he say right now, if he had a choice
Oh, though I cannot tell and I'd die to know
What's going on in your head
On in your head
I can think what I want
I can feel what I feel
Until you say it out loud
How will I know if it's real?
And I can do what I like
I'll never know what it means
Some validation is all that I need
When it hurts just to touch
But you can't dull the pain
'Cause it's telling you things
That make you sound insane
Like they're calling you up
But it's not on the phone
It's all in your head
It's all in your head
The longer it takes
Read too far into the signs
But that's what it says
It's just a matter of time before we're
Out of this place where we're no longer trapped
And it's not in my head
It's not my head
And I can think what I want
And I can feel what I feel
Until you say it out loud
How will I know if it's real?
And I can do what I like
I'll never know what it means
Some validation is all that I need
And I can think what I want
And I can feel what I feel
Until you say it out loud
How will I know if it's real?
So say it
And play it
I'm praying
You'll waste my time
This picture
Gets boring
I give up
Oh, darling
I've hit bottom rock
Swear I'm telling the truth
But down here I'm dark and confused
Oh, though I cannot tell if I'm paranoid
Or it's all in my head
It's all in my head
No signal out here
My thoughts are white noise
What he say right now, if he had a choice
Oh, though I cannot tell and I'd die to know
What's going on in your head
On in your head
Swear I'm telling the truth
But down here I'm dark and confused
Oh, though I cannot tell if I'm paranoid
Or it's all in my head
It's all in my head
No signal out here
My thoughts are white noise
What he say right now, if he had a choice
Oh, though I cannot tell and I'd die to know
What's going on in your head
On in your head
I can think what I want
I can feel what I feel
Until you say it out loud
How will I know if it's real?
And I can do what I like
I'll never know what it means
Some validation is all that I need
When it hurts just to touch
But you can't dull the pain
'Cause it's telling you things
That make you sound insane
Like they're calling you up
But it's not on the phone
It's all in your head
It's all in your head
The longer it takes
Read too far into the signs
But that's what it says
It's just a matter of time before we're
Out of this place where we're no longer trapped
And it's not in my head
It's not my head
And I can think what I want
And I can feel what I feel
Until you say it out loud
How will I know if it's real?
And I can do what I like
I'll never know what it means
Some validation is all that I need
And I can think what I want
And I can feel what I feel
Until you say it out loud
How will I know if it's real?
So say it
And play it
I'm praying
You'll waste my time
This picture
Gets boring
I give up
Oh, darling
I've hit bottom rock
Swear I'm telling the truth
But down here I'm dark and confused
Oh, though I cannot tell if I'm paranoid
Or it's all in my head
It's all in my head
No signal out here
My thoughts are white noise
What he say right now, if he had a choice
Oh, though I cannot tell and I'd die to know
What's going on in your head
On in your head
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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.
Fast Car
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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.
Holiday
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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."
How will I know this is real. Release my head from this abuse. Breathe swiftly to swig the whiskey. My head is gone, words to pass the guards. Secrets to understand her grand plan. It's all bullshit, stagnant as always. Iit in the era of Floyd. Oh what a proper noun, so forsaken. I could type til. I was insane.