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.
Shadow face
Blowing smoke and talking wind
Lost my grip
Fell too far to start again
A sudden snake
Found my shape and tells the world
Remember this
Remember everything is just black
Or burning sun
And I hope it's a sweet ride
Sleep tight for me
Sleep tight for me I'm gone
Warm and sweet
Swinging from a windows ledge
Tight and deep
One last sin before I'm dead
A sucking holy wind
Will take me from this bed tonight
And bloody wits
Another hits me and I have to say goodbye
And I hope it's a sweet ride
Here for me tonight
'Cause I feel I'm going
Feel I'm slowing down
Blowing smoke and talking wind
Lost my grip
Fell too far to start again
A sudden snake
Found my shape and tells the world
Remember this
Remember everything is just black
Or burning sun
And I hope it's a sweet ride
Sleep tight for me
Sleep tight for me I'm gone
Warm and sweet
Swinging from a windows ledge
Tight and deep
One last sin before I'm dead
A sucking holy wind
Will take me from this bed tonight
And bloody wits
Another hits me and I have to say goodbye
And I hope it's a sweet ride
Here for me tonight
'Cause I feel I'm going
Feel I'm slowing down
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this is very uncharacteristic of me to say this cas i am sick of all the people thinking cornell is a stoner because of the black hole sun video clip but this song to me just screams out DRUG ADDICTION.
I know the chris had drug addictions when he was younger and is not proud of them and his shame is the shadow on his face as he uses drugs again, "Shadow face Blowing smoke and talking wind" plus talking wind means he is bullshitting and his words amount to bullshit when he is doing this. and yah it goes on, sweet ride is getting high sudden snake is cravings fell too far to start again means it fucked him up so much why would he want to do it anymore.
there is so much stoner imagery black or burning sun he is depressed without this escapism of drugs anyway thats my interpretation
@ThayilBeGod <br /> Well, Cornell did use drugs. I mean, "4th of July" was inspired by an acid trip.<br /> I understand your reluctance because so many people have wrongly interpreted many a lyric as drug related.<br /> But you are right about "Tighter and Tighter".<br /> <br /> And "Lost my grip/Fell too far to start again" is both his confession and his surrender.<br /> He knows that tonight's date with the needle will be his last. He's filling the syringe with his last bullet, and he hopes it's a sweet ride. And the snake wraps around him tighter and tighter til it squeezes the life out of him.<br />
@ThayilBeGod unfortunately you were right on about him being depressed without using drugs. RIP CC