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.
Southern man, better keep your head
Don't forget what your good book says
Southern change gonna come at last
Now your crosses are burnin' fast
Southern man
I saw cotton and I saw black
Tall white mansions and little shacks
Southern man, when will you pay them back?
I heard screamin' and bullwhips crackin'
How long? How long? How?
Southern man, better keep your head
Don't forget what your good book says
Southern change gonna come at last
Now your crosses are burnin' fast
Southern man
Lily Belle, your hair is golden brown
I've seen your black man comin' 'round
Swear by God I'm gonna cut him down
I heard screamin' and bullwhips crackin'
How long? How long? How?
Don't forget what your good book says
Southern change gonna come at last
Now your crosses are burnin' fast
Southern man
I saw cotton and I saw black
Tall white mansions and little shacks
Southern man, when will you pay them back?
I heard screamin' and bullwhips crackin'
How long? How long? How?
Southern man, better keep your head
Don't forget what your good book says
Southern change gonna come at last
Now your crosses are burnin' fast
Southern man
Lily Belle, your hair is golden brown
I've seen your black man comin' 'round
Swear by God I'm gonna cut him down
I heard screamin' and bullwhips crackin'
How long? How long? How?
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Hayalperest
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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.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
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Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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."
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/
first of all musicfan17, neil young is bloody amazing. im from britain, and i can tell you, he is very underated here, it amazes me how many people here have never even heard of him, never mind heard his music. There is no doubt that neil young is one of the most talented musicians ever produced. His ability to produce music of all styles with deeply personal, skilful lyrics is nothing short of genius. He is up there with Bob Dylan and The Beatles in my opinion. I'm not from the south and I'm not an expert on history. But what I do know is that the way blacks were treated in America, particularly in the south, was appalling. I understand your point about whites having black friends, I'm sure Martin Luther King had white friends but it was still the case that they had to go to separate schools, they still had to use separate bars, they still had to give up seats on buses for whites. There is no excuse for that behaviour. One of the reasons people fled to America when it was first founded was that they were being persecuted in their own lands, mainly Europe. America was supposed to be the land of the free, a haven for people of all colours. Yet, the very same country was (some may argue still is) guilty of persecuting blacks. musicfan - a poor choice of name since you cannot be a true music fan if your so bitterly opposed to the beauty of neil young's music - your statement was quite ironic. You tried to make a reasoned argument, but you still betrayed a bitterness, the exact same bitterness neil young is discussing in this song! Your intolerance is shown when you cannot accept Neil Young living in your country because he's Canadian. You make fun of Canada, but I didn't see them joining you and my country in our little adventure into Iraq. They, at least, don't have blood on their hands. Whether you like this song or not, I personally think its an amazing song, its certainly gets people talking, at least neil young is prepared to tackle issues others are too scared to tackle, and I agree with the sentiments of this song, that racism is utterly abhorrent and I can't understand how we can't all agree with that
I like your comment it agreed exactly with what I think. I am also British and a huge fan of Neil Young and think he is under-rated. I find it quite ironic that the people who are trying to sound as if nothing happened worthy of writing a song about are the people who prove themselves to be prejudiced. I actually laughed out loud when I read about him saying nothing good came out of Canada.
I was reading your old comment about this song and just wanted to say I agree with you. Especially about the Iraq comment! My family is from Quebec. Wish I still lived there.
@Mr_Soul <br /> <br /> dude you are from britian. you truly wouldn't know the first thing about what this song is about. it would be like me, a southern american, saying i understand you and your kind for tying those indians up to cannons and firing off. you catch my grove?