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.
Girlie dress and making her best
She makes up her hair for the 90s
Dirty shoes and hiding her blues
She's dying to lose what she's finding
So easy to leave it or take it in stride
So easy to read when she's faking her smile
She likes surprises, she likes surprises
Anything in colorful disguises
Lips and thighs abused by our eyes
Acting surprised that she likes it
Chocolate cream, an amphetamine
Torn at the seams, she's crying
So easy to leave it or take it in stride
So easy to read when she's faking her smile
She likes surprises, she likes surprises
Anything in colorful disguises
She gets a little I guess
She gets it more or less
She likes surprises
Anything in colorful disguises
So easy to leave it or take it in stride
So easy to read when she's faking her smile
She like surprises, she likes surprises
Anything in colorful disguises
She makes up her hair for the 90s
Dirty shoes and hiding her blues
She's dying to lose what she's finding
So easy to leave it or take it in stride
So easy to read when she's faking her smile
She likes surprises, she likes surprises
Anything in colorful disguises
Lips and thighs abused by our eyes
Acting surprised that she likes it
Chocolate cream, an amphetamine
Torn at the seams, she's crying
So easy to leave it or take it in stride
So easy to read when she's faking her smile
She likes surprises, she likes surprises
Anything in colorful disguises
She gets a little I guess
She gets it more or less
She likes surprises
Anything in colorful disguises
So easy to leave it or take it in stride
So easy to read when she's faking her smile
She like surprises, she likes surprises
Anything in colorful disguises
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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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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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."
I Can't Go To Sleep
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
silly billy,
Yeah. I agree...sort of. But I like your interpretation, it makes sense. I always was under the perception it was about a girl who would just use men for diamonds and such. Hence, the bit;
"She likes suprirses, she likes suprises Anything in colorful disguises"
And, she would just give men what they want (sex) and then take her share (diamonds, materials etc.). And;
"So easy to leave it or take it in stride So easy to read when she's faking her smile"
Means that she really doesen't love these men and she tries to act like she does. She tries to put on a smile like she actually loves these men, but she doesen't, and it's easy to read.
"Dirty shoes and hiding her blues She's dying to lose what she's finding"
Perhaps this girl has caught an STD or has gotten pregnant from living the way she does?
"Lips and thighs abused by our eyes Acting surprised that she likes it"
The guys look at her, and she acts suprised on purpose to get their attention. Hard to explain, she sort of pretends to enjoy men looking at her, even though this may be a thing that happens often as long as she gets what she wants.
"Chocolate cream, an amphetamine Torn at the seams, she's crying"
Not so sure on this bit. Perhaps by amphetamine Cornell is implying that she is dependant on chocolate to keep her happy, and she gets chocolate from the men she dates. I think that that Torn at the seams, she's crying is just a way of saying that she's severely depressed from living the way she does.
"Girlie dress and making her best She makes up her hair for the 90s"
Girlie dress implies that it's something revealing, like a mini skirt, just to attract attention from men. The second line just basically says that she keeps up with fashion, taking into account that this song was made in the 90's of course.
"She gets a little I guess She gets it more or less"
Basically saying that she gets sex. Except not saying it outright.
Alright, I'm done now. Sorry if it was confusing because I just took out random bits from the song out, thoughts were just popping up outta nowhere and I kind of took out bits that came to me easily first. Don't hesitate to comment if you think there's anything you wish to ask me about on my post, thanks!
@Tredmond I think that the torn at the seems line pair might be referring to pregnancy. She is gaining weight and eating chocolate from the pregnancy, which is causing her great stress as it makes her less attractive to me. Someone else suggested she got pregnant or an sti from living the way she does, which this line supports.