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.
Kept warm by the light of the lantern
Lost sight of everything tonight
My presence blackens their pattern
A pock in the healthy and calm
Their scorn behind your back
My promise would put them down
No trace of reverence left
Immemorial fire in their eyes
I would perish at the given signal
At the slightest touch from my soul
Tainted prophet in flesh
For all the plagued and lost
Dripping sin
Decision in stalemate
Dare to feel death at hand
Surprised me with its voice
Through the forest came the morn
Across the leafy pathway
Their deeds smeared in blood
For all to behold
The council of the cross
Must have sensed my coming
The pest through the air
With despise for squalor
Lashing out at the poor
I turned away my eyes
In pallor escape from the end
Fading time to leave from here
And less to fulfill my task
She would be safe and firm
Nothing of this is in vain
Taken away from stifling grace
And saved from the past
Lost sight of everything tonight
My presence blackens their pattern
A pock in the healthy and calm
Their scorn behind your back
My promise would put them down
No trace of reverence left
Immemorial fire in their eyes
I would perish at the given signal
At the slightest touch from my soul
Tainted prophet in flesh
For all the plagued and lost
Dripping sin
Decision in stalemate
Dare to feel death at hand
Surprised me with its voice
Through the forest came the morn
Across the leafy pathway
Their deeds smeared in blood
For all to behold
The council of the cross
Must have sensed my coming
The pest through the air
With despise for squalor
Lashing out at the poor
I turned away my eyes
In pallor escape from the end
Fading time to leave from here
And less to fulfill my task
She would be safe and firm
Nothing of this is in vain
Taken away from stifling grace
And saved from the past
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The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
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Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
American Town
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Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
For some of you idiots who have no clue about what this song and the entire Still Life album is about, this is for you:
The character isn't black, or a Muslim, he is an atheist. In this song he's talking about the "Council of the Cross", or the Christian government and how if they find out he returned to where he was banished they'll kill him. But he doesn't care. He's careful not to get caught, but he won't go away until he gets Melinda back.
"Moonlapse Vertigo" is a reminder that the people of the town would kill him if they realized he was there. The song references the Council of the Cross, referring to the Christian government, who openly show scorn for the disgraced and the poor. He realizes that he has no time left to flee from the country and decides to meet Melinda at last and lead her out of the country with him. In this song the outcast really shows his immense hate towards the Council.
the whole cd is a concept album, it shouldnt be hard to figure out the meaning. although the way mikael writes most of his lyrics - THEIR WILL BE MANY MEANINGS! he is a poetic genius!
"...had been banished 16 years ago..."
*15 years ago, sorry >_>
"The sigh of summer upon my return Fifteen alike since I was here"
This is the best song I think Opeth ever did. It has a good balance of smooth mellow rock and death metal in it. Last part of the song is really catchy, I suggest everyone that hasn't heard Opeth before listen to this song.
As for the meaning, I'm not really sure, about somebody running from something I think.
Yeah, this song is ONE of their best, but not their BEST. I still suggest that all Opeth fans look into this song.
monlapse vertigo, he is not talking about a relationship between a slave and a white woman, hes the fucking demon of the fall. he is death. My Arms, Your Hearse? didnt that ring a bell? his presence blackens all around him. and in this case, keeping with the theme of the saga he has unfolded, moor means a broad area of open land, often high but poorly drained, with patches of heath and peat bogs. this kind of area is perfect for setting the mood of darkness and despair that he obviously feels because he cannot be with Melinda, his true love. people arent predjudiced against him because he is black...HE IS DEATH, THE DEMON OF THE FALL.
harlequin forest, this album is called 'still life'. demon of the fall is from 'my arms, your hearse'. they are two different albums with two completely different stories.
the first track's title refers to a swampy marshland where the main character was banished to fifteen years prior the start of the story.
read my comment on 'the moor'. the main character isn't a black muslim or anything like that, you guys are looking way to into the few mentions of 'white' things. there's no concrete evidence for racial persecution, but there's a boatload for religious persecution. in all likelihood, the main character was probably born deformed and thus branded an "ungodly freak".
You have a good view on this album returnsandexchanges. And yes, i agree with you fully. Just because they mention "White" or "Black" anything like that doesn't mean they are Black. That's just a shallow statement saying - "It's about blacks and whites"
Could somebody please explain the meaning of the song title?