This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
now that i
face the world with pain inside
strange but i
can't understand the reasons why.
forever is
a world that i cannot describe
that dies the time we said goodnight.
it makes no difference, wrong or right
the times has come to say goodnight
and how could i
be so sure but be so wrong?
and how could i
have a will so weak with a mind so strong?
and only i
can tell the difference right or wrong.
it makes no difference, wrong or right
i guess it's best we say goodnight.
face the world with pain inside
strange but i
can't understand the reasons why.
forever is
a world that i cannot describe
that dies the time we said goodnight.
it makes no difference, wrong or right
the times has come to say goodnight
and how could i
be so sure but be so wrong?
and how could i
have a will so weak with a mind so strong?
and only i
can tell the difference right or wrong.
it makes no difference, wrong or right
i guess it's best we say goodnight.
Lyrics submitted by alexandradawn
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I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
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.
Trouble Breathing
Alkaline Trio
Alkaline Trio
While the obvious connections with suicide or alcoholism could be drawn easily, more subtly this song could be about someone who views the world through a negative lens constantly and how as much as the writer tries to show the beauty in the world, this person refuses to see it. It's one or another between the rope and the bottle. There is no good option for this person. They can't see it. Skiba sings it in a kind of exasperated way like He's tired of hearing this negative view constantly and just allowing that person to continue feeling the way they feel knowing he can't do anything about it. You can hear it when he says maybe you're a vampire.
this is such an amazing song... i never expected it to be so good. I think it's about someone who is finally realizing that a relationship is over, and it's time to say goodbye.
Ive been listening to DKL for a lil over a year now and this song still gets me everytime. I think its not only about a relationship but also a lot about just knowing that everything has a time and place. And that knowing that is one of the greatest lessons.
i LOVE this song! its so great. "now that i face the world with pain inside strange but i can't understand the reasons why. forever is a world that i cannot describe" thats my favorite part... i can really relate to it... ohh this song is great.
grrrr damn these good songs. makes me feel some things i wanna feel, and some that i dont...
Yeah. this is in my opinions DKL's best song. It really brings out emotion, and makes you think about things (whether you want to or not). Brillo pad got the meaning just right.
once again, he loves someone who doesnt love him back. this song is about how he accepts that fact
This song is all about getting over a relationship with someone. This part says that even if it's going to hurt, you gotta do it.
I love this song. I'm actually listening to it right now. Me and this guy went out, and i broke up w/him cuz I thought we should just be friends, but he likes me a lot more. He gets so mad whenever i like someone else or do something w/someone else. It hurts him so much. I am so sick of hurting cuz I care about him so much, but he doesn't understand. I can't really imagine what it would be like if we just stopped talking, but I don't know what i would do. But, the only way i can stop hurting him is to make him go away....... StEpHaNiE
def one of my fave dkl songs i only wish they would do it live the keyboards in the background are actually playd my the drummers 10 year old sister witch is kinda cool... but this song can mean a lot from relationships to just life in general everything must come to an end
this song rules