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.
Guess I wasn't the best one to ask
Me myself with my face pressed
Up against love's glass
To see the shiny toy I've been hoping for
The one I never can afford
The wide world spins and spits turmoil
And the nations toil for peace
But the paws of fear upon your chest
Only love can soothe that beast
And my words are paper tigers
No match for the predators of pain inside her
I say love will come to you
Hoping just because I spoke the words that they're true
As if I offered up a crystal ball to look through
Where there's now one there will be two
I was born under the sign of cancer (love will come to you)
Like brushing cloth I smooth the wrinkles for an answer (love will come)
And I'm always closing my eyes and wishing I'm fine (I close my eyes and wish you fine)
Even though I know I'm not this time (even though I know your not this time)
And I say love will come to you
Hoping just because I spoke the words that they're true
As if I offered up a crystal ball to look through
Where there's now one there will be two
Dodging your memories a field of knives
Always on the outside looking in on other's lives
I say love will come to you
Hoping just because I spoke the words that they're true
As if I offered up a crystal ball to look through (I have offered up to you)
Where there's now one there will be two
And I wish her insight to battle love's blindness
Strength from the milk of human kindness
A safe place for all the pieces that scattered
Learn to pretend there's more than love that matters
Me myself with my face pressed
Up against love's glass
To see the shiny toy I've been hoping for
The one I never can afford
The wide world spins and spits turmoil
And the nations toil for peace
But the paws of fear upon your chest
Only love can soothe that beast
And my words are paper tigers
No match for the predators of pain inside her
I say love will come to you
Hoping just because I spoke the words that they're true
As if I offered up a crystal ball to look through
Where there's now one there will be two
I was born under the sign of cancer (love will come to you)
Like brushing cloth I smooth the wrinkles for an answer (love will come)
And I'm always closing my eyes and wishing I'm fine (I close my eyes and wish you fine)
Even though I know I'm not this time (even though I know your not this time)
And I say love will come to you
Hoping just because I spoke the words that they're true
As if I offered up a crystal ball to look through
Where there's now one there will be two
Dodging your memories a field of knives
Always on the outside looking in on other's lives
I say love will come to you
Hoping just because I spoke the words that they're true
As if I offered up a crystal ball to look through (I have offered up to you)
Where there's now one there will be two
And I wish her insight to battle love's blindness
Strength from the milk of human kindness
A safe place for all the pieces that scattered
Learn to pretend there's more than love that matters
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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.
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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."
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
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."
I love this song because it speaks to me about how I feel about my own life. Other people telling me that there will be a love for me, one just like the one I covet. And paper tigers are no match for the pain I feel inside. Part of tha pain is why I continue to watch from the outside of other's lives. I have had to learn that it is easier to pretend that there is more that love that matters.
This is the BEST breakup song. I think it means that no matter what anyone says to try to comfort you, it's no match for the pain you feel. And you try not to think about it, but other people's happiness only reminds you of what you've lost. I especially like the line "I'm always closing my eyes and wishing I'm fine" because it's so true...you try to trick yourself into thinking you don't care, when really, it's all that matters.
I don't think this song was supposed to be comforting, rather it seems bitingly sarcastic and on the whole depressing. The alleged comforter is only telling the listener what she wants to hear - but the speaker doesn't believe a word of it! There is so much evidence to prove the song is cynical: "Guess I wasn't the best one to ask" - She says right off the bat that she can't give the answer the girl is asking for. "The one I never can afford" - She hasn't had love herself. "Hoping just because I spoke the words that they're true" - Clearly she doesn't believe what she says; if all she can do is hope they are true. The whole last verse is the only consolation she can offer - nothing about the future being better, only a sardonic message about living with pain. Very poetic, but without respite.
I don't think this song is sarcastic at all. I think it's offering up a peace of love, but it's unbearable because whomever the person is writing about, when it refers to "she" that, this persons words won't fight her love (the paper tigers are no match for the predators inside her). The writer faces their own challenge of never having found the right love for themselves. Looking in on other's lives, and love being a shiny toy inside somewhere the person can't grasp it. The writer is wishing both of them love to be found, generously, but is expressing the painful realization at times, that words can't make it right, or happen.
EzEebs, I think that you're right it's not supposed to be really comforting, but it's not sarcastic either. Sarcasm is mocking, but I don't think the person is trying to mock anyone, she's totally sincere, because she's trying to believe herself that love will come for her and for the person she's talking to. It's about a real effort to be comforting, but the song itself isn't comforting - the person's trying so hard, but there isn't an answer.
I have to agree with Jubjubgurl, this song seems to hinge on more of a realist's point of view about love. I don't think it's bitting sarcasm she is trying to portray, rather a "we had love, we lost love, I wish you love in the future". She is saying that, although she is hurting from her loss and that love is hard for her to come by, she none-the-less wishes her ex the love they could have had, yet did not achieve. Now that is a beautiful and mature statement. Favorite line is the last line "Learn to pretend there's more than love that matters", which pretty sums up the entire song and life.