Years ago, I cassette taped an interview with Lou Barlow for Dutch radio and during this interview he explained the lyrics behind this song. I'm sorry to say Mikenstein's explanation is far from what Lou Barlow himself said the song was about. Actually, he explained that it is, in fact, about drugs (he mentioned some sort of celebrity speedball - a combination of several drugs), but that he had intentionally written the song so that it could be understood to be about a girl. He laughed about the fact that people often think "let's go chasing dragons through the snow" is such a romantic line, because, as he explained, it's quite obviously about taking drugs.
It is "with a mellow voice and a strong, strong heart" and I always thought he said, "a charm in the way you cry" but that could be wrong of me.
Anyway, I love this song. He has got to have one of the coolest singing voices in the world. The lyrics are perfect.
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I first heard it in a skate video of transworld skateboarding, been loving it eversince. never get tired of it!
According to The Backstage Rider (http://backstagerider.com/2011/11/08/lemonheads/):
"Fun fact: Sebadoh’s song 'Skull' was written about a night Lou Barlow and Evan Dando did hard drugs together."
Looks like it backs up DJ47's post.
This song is about a one night stand and how you can make the partner to be anyone you want them to be. Also how it will be good now but hurt in the long run ("The pain we can't escape at least will wait")
I love this song. Peaceful.
I really love this song, but Isn't it "a mellow voice, and a strong, strong heart"?
It has a sort of surreal escape to it ,but the meaning comes easily.
I like it.
"There are dragons to be chased" -> possible heroin reference?
hypermagic was the only one to get it. this song is about doing heroin for the first time.
The pain we can't escape at least will wait = life sux feel good now get hooked later
An easy flow and a strong, a strong heart = a dealer offering a first try.
And the charm in the way you hide = everyone hides there a junky or they even dabble in heroin
And I don't know who you are But I know what I would like you to be A one-night stand under stoned persuasion = ive never done it but id like to try it once
So let's go quickly, no we go slow Let's go chasing dragons through the snow = dont OD fool your already on coke take it easy
i can do this with every line but this is long enough, I also thought this was about a girl when it first came out but years later i understood all the drug references battling threw it myself.