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.
Baby you've been had
I am forever searching high and low
But why does everyone tell me 'no'?
Neptune of the seas, an answer for me please
The lily of the valley doesn't know
I lie in wait with open eyes
I carry on through stormy skies
I follow every course, my kingdom for a horse
But each time I grow old
Serpent of the Nile, relieve me for a while
And cast me from your spell, and let me go
Messenger from seven seas has flown
To tell the king of Rhye he's lost his throne
Wars will never cease
Is there time enough for peace?
The lily of the valley doesn't know
I am forever searching high and low
But why does everyone tell me 'no'?
Neptune of the seas, an answer for me please
The lily of the valley doesn't know
I lie in wait with open eyes
I carry on through stormy skies
I follow every course, my kingdom for a horse
But each time I grow old
Serpent of the Nile, relieve me for a while
And cast me from your spell, and let me go
Messenger from seven seas has flown
To tell the king of Rhye he's lost his throne
Wars will never cease
Is there time enough for peace?
The lily of the valley doesn't know
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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.
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."
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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.
I totally agree with lapofthegods, but there is something more to it that we're missing... the fact that it makes a medley with Tenement Funster and Flick of the Wrist... The first one is about a young and poor guy, that reminds of their early lifes, and the second one is about the shitty agreement they made with the producer. So, it may be a 3-part story of the band, about their poor childhood and love with music, which made them go to a horrible studio and so they had to give up of their fantasy to start making money. Or maybe it's just a song about Freddy seeking for love and realising his body should be somewhere else, the medley is just because it's cool and we are misunderstanding it all. That can be it, but I prefer to stick with my interpretation, it gives more meaning to the song.
I agree it does signify a passing from the mystical prog of Queen/Queen II (although prog was still in Queen's repetoire in later albums. eg: Bohemian Rhapsody, Prophet's Song, Innuendo.) It could also be about a search for peace. Cerainly, the few lines seem to be about that.
Last few lines, sorry.
"You could find out, just from little insights, that a lot of [Freddie's] private thoughts were in there, although a lot of the more meaningful stuff was not very accessible. Lily Of The Valley was utterly heartfelt. It's about looking at his girlfriend and realising that his body needed to be somewhere else. It's a great piece of art, but it's the last song that would ever be a hit."
@RonTheBear I looked that quote up. It's nowhere to be found. Maybe provide the link. Brian has called Freddie bisexual and pansexual in interviews. He also said Freddie came as to the band as bisexuals too. He's used the term gay as in a behavior but both Rodger and Brian and Rodger have said this. Freddie said it too in different ways over the years. <br />
Beautiful song, but i don't really know what it is about.
It's about growing up, and being frusterated and confused at having to let go of childhood.
This song sounds more like it should be on Queen II, as opposed to Sheer Heart Attack.
I actually think this song is Freddie telling us that Queen is passed it's experimental phase. (messenger from seven seas has flown to tell the king of rhye he's lost his throne) It's no longer a fantasy world.
Yeah, I agree, it sounds like it should be on Queen II. It's still another really beautiful song from Queen, with amazing lyrics.
By the way, does anyone else think some parts of the song sound a lot like "Jealousy" from the album "Jazz"?
Probably not...