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.
Snow flakes rolling over my ear, goose bumping weather
If I'm hungry at 4:30 in the morning, Pink Dot will deliver
And I'm oh so tired of you pushing that thorny crown
Down onto my head so hard, my knees are two inches in the ground
And I said, God damn, God damn that Bible pushin' man
You know I smoked a lot of grass and I've popped a lot of pills
But I've never done nothing that my spirit couldn't kill
And I walk around with these tombstones in my eyes
But I know the pusher don't care, if you live or if you die.
And I said, God damn, God damn that Bible pushin' man.
Godamn, Godamn, Godamn, Godamn, God damn
If I'm hungry at 4:30 in the morning, Pink Dot will deliver
And I'm oh so tired of you pushing that thorny crown
Down onto my head so hard, my knees are two inches in the ground
And I said, God damn, God damn that Bible pushin' man
You know I smoked a lot of grass and I've popped a lot of pills
But I've never done nothing that my spirit couldn't kill
And I walk around with these tombstones in my eyes
But I know the pusher don't care, if you live or if you die.
And I said, God damn, God damn that Bible pushin' man.
Godamn, Godamn, Godamn, Godamn, God damn
Lyrics submitted by bubbrock316
The Pusher Lyrics as written by Hoyt Wayne Axton
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I'm going to focus not only on the meaning of this song but it's relationship to the Steppenwolf (Hoyt Acton) original.
The way I see it is the original Steppenwolf version is from the point of view from somebody who smokes grass and sees grass as a good thing. But then sees the pusher, a cruel dealer who sells hard drugs eg. Heroine, as an evil corruptive person.
The Blind Melon version seems to be told from the perspective of an addict who's speaking out against society, embodied as a sort of missionary, who is trying to correct the addict.
Steppenwolf line for line
You know I've smoked a lot of grass O' Lord, I've popped a lot of pills But I've never touched nothin' That my spirit could kill
You know, I've seen a lot of people walkin' 'round With tombstones in their eyes
But the pusher don't care Ah, if you live or if you die
God damn, The Pusher God damn, I say The Pusher I said God damn, God damn The Pusher man
You know the dealer, the dealer is a man With the love grass in his hand
Oh but the pusher is a monster Good God, he's not a natural man
The dealer for a nickel Lord, he'll sell you lots of sweet dreams Ah, but the pusher ruin your body Lord, he'll leave your, he'll leave your mind to scream
Well, now if I were the president of this land You know, I'd declare total war on The Pusher man I'd cut him if he stands, and I'd shoot him if he'd run Yes I'd kill him with my Bible and my razor and my gun
Blind Melon line for line
Snow flakes rolling over my ear, goose bumping liver
If I'm hungry at 4:30 in the morning, Pink Dot will deliver
And I'm oh so tired of you pushing that thorny crown Down onto my head so hard, my knees are two inches in the ground
And I said, God damn, God damn that Bible pushin' man
You know I smoked a lot of grass and I've popped a lot of pills
But I've never done nothing that my spirit couldn't kill
And I walk around with these tombstones in my eyes
But I know the pusher don't care, if you live or if you die.