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.
Addiction's held you back
But you don't care
'Cause you're on a high again
And it's not fair
Consuming alcohol
While I gotta drive
Take a hit from the drugs you stole
And try to survive
Since your life was over
You haven't yet been sober
You have held me back so long
Everything you do is wrong
Now I gotta dump you
Continue my life too
I tried to help you
Don't care what you do
Your state of mind's improved
But we're still apart
I visited you'd moved
Don't know where to start
Your life's and open cold sore
Got to get out of the cream
Now I'm thinking positive
But I know it's a dream
You dies yesterday
But you don't care
'Cause you're on a high again
And it's not fair
Consuming alcohol
While I gotta drive
Take a hit from the drugs you stole
And try to survive
Since your life was over
You haven't yet been sober
You have held me back so long
Everything you do is wrong
Now I gotta dump you
Continue my life too
I tried to help you
Don't care what you do
Your state of mind's improved
But we're still apart
I visited you'd moved
Don't know where to start
Your life's and open cold sore
Got to get out of the cream
Now I'm thinking positive
But I know it's a dream
You dies yesterday
Lyrics submitted by spitfirek7
Pop Song for Us Rejects Lyrics as written by Daniel Johns
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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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 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
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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."
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Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
this song makes you realize (if your a drug addict) that it ruins otherppls lives and not juss yours...
This song has a personal meaning. In 1997 my girlfriend was a heroin addict and i was just getting out of a jail for teens. We just had a daughter and right after she was born her mother started to do drugs again and for more then 3 years she barely saw us. I was 17 and raising a child alone. My aunt helped a lot and i was clean for the most time. When my daughter was 3,5 yrs old she got sick and died in the hospital. One month later her mother, my girlfriend killed herself because the guilt of not being there for her child was too much. Around that time i heard this song and i broke down and cried because it was like it was about us. 14 years later it still makes me emotional when i hear it. Daniel Johns is such a gifted songwriter. He was 16 or 17 when i wrote it. Im a singer/songwriter as well and i have a band since 1994. We are Inspired by Nirvana and Silverchair
@laynecobain94 thanks for sharing your story
no they died at the end...they started to get better but they fell back into it and died "you died yesterday"
This song reminds me of my father. And my relationship with him through his drug and Alcohol addictions.
Years back I thought that this song was about the narrator talking about himself in the second person and how the drugs and addictions have ruined his life. I wonder what Daniel wrote this about though...
I don't really think its necessarily about a friend going through an addiction. More like a person who is an absolute burden/albatross on your life, but you still have an inkling of caring about them. They're dragging you down with them, and you are saying its over.
"Pop Song For Us Rejects" - I love how sarcastic that sounds...This does have a Poppish sound to it, though, certain guitar parts of it. Around the time that this record released, Daniel said that this song was about drug addiction (I think it's pretty obvious, anyway - Look at those lyrics)
he is trying to show you how people with addiction dont see it even though it is killing there life. and at the end the person is getting better.
the first time I heard this song it was on one of those local, put together for $2, adds against drugs and alcohol...sort of put me off the song till I actually listened to it and found it kicked ass...I agree with the 2 who already posted...
satay