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.
So, we let it go to start again
Knowing now how all our best intentions
Never lit the world on fire
Lights, illuminate the exit signs
And over the wings the skies an open endless sea
Crowding up surrounding me
And all, Detroit waves
Goodnight
Spread out
Beneath
Me now
If I could, if I could change
Believe me
I would, I would for you
(My love)
And when, you're warm enough to share your sheets
Cold enough to make it seem that I was only there long enough to disappear
You know I'll still, say your name to fall asleep
Over and over a cynic saying rosary
A liar living make believe
And all, of Detroit waves
Goodnight
Spread out
Beneath
Me now
If I could, if I could change
Believe me
I would, yes I would
And Detroit waves
And Detroit waves, goodnight
Spread out
Beneath me now
If I could
If I could change
Believe me
I would
Yes I would
And Detroit Waves
Detroit Waves
Knowing now how all our best intentions
Never lit the world on fire
Lights, illuminate the exit signs
And over the wings the skies an open endless sea
Crowding up surrounding me
And all, Detroit waves
Goodnight
Spread out
Beneath
Me now
If I could, if I could change
Believe me
I would, I would for you
(My love)
And when, you're warm enough to share your sheets
Cold enough to make it seem that I was only there long enough to disappear
You know I'll still, say your name to fall asleep
Over and over a cynic saying rosary
A liar living make believe
And all, of Detroit waves
Goodnight
Spread out
Beneath
Me now
If I could, if I could change
Believe me
I would, yes I would
And Detroit waves
And Detroit waves, goodnight
Spread out
Beneath me now
If I could
If I could change
Believe me
I would
Yes I would
And Detroit Waves
Detroit Waves
Lyrics submitted by starshine1763
Detroit Waves Lyrics as written by Matt Nathanson Mark Weinberg
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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"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."
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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."
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i think the second verse is wrong. i hear this:
and when, you're warm enough to share your sheets cold enough to make it seem like I was only there long enough to disappear you know I'll still, say your name to fall asleep over and over a cynic saying rosary a liar living make believe
Somehow air travel can provoke some amazingly profound thoughts. If you have ever flown over the Detroit area at night, it is quite an amazing sight - lights for miles and miles extending across the suburbs. My take is that while on a late night flight into Detroit he is reflecting on a recently ended relationship. And Detroit waves, spread out beneath me now.
There is fantastic meaning behind this song.
He's saying their best effort in the relationship wasn't quite good enough to make them want to stay.
"Knowing now how all our best intentions never lit the world on fire. Lights, illuminate the exit signs and over the wings the skies an open endless sea, crowding up surrounding me."
The grass is greener. The lit up exit signs signify how they felt there was more for them outside of the relationship.
Any help on the second stanza?
and when, you're warm enough to share your sheets (If you ever decide to come back) bold enough to make believe that I was only there long enough to disappear (Shes making it out to be her fault) I'll still, say your name to fall asleep over and over a cynic saying rosary (cynic means someone who believes everyone is selfish...so idk, i guess it means he still will love her (say her name to fall asleep) even if they're not together) a liar in his make believe (no clue)
Wow i didnt do a good job but w/e
I'm going to take a stab at the second verse
"and when, you're warm enough to share your sheets" When she's ready to start anew relationship with someone else. When she's over it.
"bold enough to make believe that I was only there long enough to disappear" By this point she's made herself believe the relationship was not as significant as it was. (i.e. I was only there long enough to disappear = makes herself believe it was over as soon as i started almost.
"I'll still, say your name to fall asleep" Even when she has reached that point, he'll still be in love with her and rely on her memory.
"over and over a cynic saying rosary; a liar in his make believe" Even though he knows there's no hope (is cynical), he'll lie to himself and make himself believe that there is.
That's my take on it.
so, we let it go to start again knowing now how all our best intentions never lit the world on fire and the lights, illuminate the exit signs and over the wings the skies an open endless sea, crowding up surrounding me
and all, of Detroit waves goodnight spread out beneath me now if I could, if I could change believe me I would, yes I would (for you)
and when, you're warm enough to share your sheets cold enough to it seem like I was only there long enough to disappear I'll still, say your name to fall asleep over and over a cynic saying rosary a liar in his make believe
and all, of Detroit waves goodnight spread out beneath me now if I could, if I could change believe me I would, yes I would and Detroit waves, Detroit waves
comes around around around comes around around around comes around around around again
and Detroit waves, goodnight spread out beneath me now if i could if I could change believe me I would yes I would, I would
Detroit waves Detroit waves