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.
In my eyes, indisposed
In disguises no one knows
Hides the face, lies the snake
In the sun, in my disgrace
Boiling heat, summer stench
'Neath the black the sky looks dead
Call my name through the cream
And I'll hear you scream again
Black hole sun
Won't you come
And wash away the rain
Black hole sun
Won't you come
Won't you come (won't you come)
Stuttering, cold and damp
Steal the warm wind, tired friend
Times are gone for honest men
And sometimes far too long for snakes
In my shoes, a walking sleep
And my youth, I pray to keep
Heaven sent hell away
No one sings like you anymore
Black hole sun
Won't you come
And wash away the rain
Black hole sun
Won't you come
Won't you come
Black hole sun
Won't you come
And wash away the rain
Black hole sun
Won't you come
Won't you come (black hole sun, black hole sun)
Won't you come (black hole sun, black hole sun)
Won't you come (black hole sun, black hole sun)
Won't you come (black hole sun, black hole sun)
Hang my head, drown my fear
'Til you all just disappear
Black hole sun
Won't you come
And wash away the rain
Black hole sun
Won't you come
Won't you come
Black hole sun
Won't you come
And wash away the rain
Black hole sun
Won't you come
Won't you come (black hole sun, black hole sun)
Won't you come (black hole sun, black hole sun)
Won't you come (black hole sun, black hole sun)
Won't you come (black hole sun, black hole sun)
Won't you come (black hole sun, black hole sun)
Won't you come (black hole sun, black hole sun)
Won't you come
Won't you come
In disguises no one knows
Hides the face, lies the snake
In the sun, in my disgrace
Boiling heat, summer stench
'Neath the black the sky looks dead
Call my name through the cream
And I'll hear you scream again
Black hole sun
Won't you come
And wash away the rain
Black hole sun
Won't you come
Won't you come (won't you come)
Stuttering, cold and damp
Steal the warm wind, tired friend
Times are gone for honest men
And sometimes far too long for snakes
In my shoes, a walking sleep
And my youth, I pray to keep
Heaven sent hell away
No one sings like you anymore
Black hole sun
Won't you come
And wash away the rain
Black hole sun
Won't you come
Won't you come
Black hole sun
Won't you come
And wash away the rain
Black hole sun
Won't you come
Won't you come (black hole sun, black hole sun)
Won't you come (black hole sun, black hole sun)
Won't you come (black hole sun, black hole sun)
Won't you come (black hole sun, black hole sun)
Hang my head, drown my fear
'Til you all just disappear
Black hole sun
Won't you come
And wash away the rain
Black hole sun
Won't you come
Won't you come
Black hole sun
Won't you come
And wash away the rain
Black hole sun
Won't you come
Won't you come (black hole sun, black hole sun)
Won't you come (black hole sun, black hole sun)
Won't you come (black hole sun, black hole sun)
Won't you come (black hole sun, black hole sun)
Won't you come (black hole sun, black hole sun)
Won't you come (black hole sun, black hole sun)
Won't you come
Won't you come
Lyrics submitted by jt, edited by DarthSailr
Black Hole Sun Lyrics as written by Christopher J. Cornell
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid, Peermusic Publishing, Hipgnosis Songs Group
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I know I new to the site, but damn...do some research before you assume
I pulled this from an article, "Regarding "Black Hole Sun", Cornell stated, "It's just sort of a surreal dreamscape, a weird, play-with-the-title kind of song."[5] He also said that "lyrically it's probably the closest to me just playing with words for words' sake, of anything I've written. I guess it worked for a lot of people who heard it, but I have no idea how you'd begin to take that one literally."[6] In another interview he elaborated further, stating, "It's funny because hits are usually sort of congruent, sort of an identifiable lyric idea, and that song pretty much had none. The chorus lyric is kind of beautiful and easy to remember. Other than that, I sure didn't have an understanding of it after I wrote it. I was just sucked in by the music and I was painting a picture with the lyrics. There was no real idea to get across."[4] Commenting upon how the song was misinterpreted as being positive, Cornell said, "No one seems to get this, but "Black Hole Sun" is sad. But because the melody is really pretty, everyone thinks it's almost chipper, which is ridiculous."[7] When asked about the line, "Times are gone for honest men," Cornell said:
Thank God for people like you. New or not you have the wherewithal to realize somewhere out there on the Internet the artist has commented on the lyrics or whatever. Again, I applaud you.
Not being rude, but the meaning is more than clear:<br /> <br /> BLACK HOLE SUN: The external opening of the rectum<br /> SNAKE: A Willy (Man sexual organ)<br /> <br /> Once you know that the rest is easy to understand. ;)<br /> All the best and hope this is not a shock to many.<br /> <br /> PD. Limp Bizkit has similar a song called Chocolate StarFish.
@MrSwindler Ouch, people can no longer interpret a piece of art in their own eyes, thanks to the "new guy" here who says only the artists' intention matters in this song meaning forum.
@MrSwindler I want to start off with sometimes we do not make art but rather it happens to us in a subconscious level. I know he said the lyrics were bs in one part but there were reflection thoughts as well that I looked up as well. I can't copy and paste the first one but it was on wiki. It said something like It's really difficult for people to create their own life and their own freedom and it's going to create more disillusioned people...
It goes on but check wiki if you don't believe me. Here's another thing I found.
Cornell reflected on the song's lyrical content to Uncut: "What's interesting to me is the combination of a black hole and a sun," he said. "A black hole is a billion times larger than a sun, it's a void, a giant circle of nothing, and then you have the sun, the giver of all life. It was this combination of bright and dark, this sense of hope and underlying moodiness."
"I even liked the way the words looked written down," Cornell added. "I liken it to Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd, where there's a happy veneer over something dark. It's not something I can do on purpose but occasionally it will happen by accident."
@MrSwindler <br /> I think artists prefer to keep a songs true meaning up to the Interpreter. Art means different things to different people. <br /> <br /> There is a legend of the black sun said to be underneath the earth. It resides in the underworld where there is no war or suffering. <br /> Reading about it made me think of the song of course, though the internet was in it's infancy so I'm not sure Chris fully grasps the coincidence of the song. Coincidentally or not, he was inspired by the legend, if not subconsciously. <br />
@MrSwindler he wouldn't tell the truth about it, because it's about his "disgrace" he says this in the first verse... <br /> Black hole = point of a needle when viewed head on. <br /> Sun = the high from heroin. <br /> Snake = syringe (obvious metaphor) note that it gets mentioned twice the first time it's in his eyes (like a proper hardcore junkie, shooting into his eye) that's why it's the black hole sun. Second time it gets mentioned, he's talking about withdrawal (time is far too long for snakes = too long between hits) <br /> The high from heroin washes away the rain, heroin takes his emotional pain away. <br /> Research other Chris Cornell songs on this site, heroin comes up far too often to be ignored. He grew up in a heroin epidemic, he lost friends to it (all my friends are skeletons, spoonman).. <br /> Accept it.. <br /> But it doesn't mean the song is awesome.. <br /> It is truly an amazing piece of art..
@MrSwindler edit "isn't awesome" lol.. I just said my favourite song isn't awesome..
@MrSwindler
I don’t know, the content seemed to be explicitly clear to me — the world gets us down; especially for those of us in the privileged countries who can see how shitty humanity is to itself.
To me, a black hole sun is one that starts the world over again. One that obliterated humanity’s sins (in both an individual and human-encompassing level) by destroying it all.
However, I really appreciate your references, since it seems to imply that there’s an added meaning to the destruction: the world is being wished into destruction such that a better one can take its place. I wouldn’t have considered that meaning of the song without your comment; so thank you.
Granted, ultimately, it’s a condemnation of humanity. One that Chris recently confirmed through his own actions. (May he RIP.)
It's just sort of a surreal dreamscape, a weird, play-with-the-title kind of song. He also that "lyrically it's probably the closest to me just playing with words for words' sake, of anything written. I guess it worked for a lot of people who heard it, but I have no idea how you'd begin to take that one literally. "It's funny because hits are usually sort of congruent, sort of an identifiable lyric idea, and that song pretty much had none. The chorus lyric is kind of beautiful and easy to remember. Other than that, I sure didn't have an understanding of it I was just sucked in by the music and I was painting a picture with the lyrics. There was no real idea to get across." the song was misinterpreted as being positive, No one seems to get this, but 'Black Hole Sun' is sad. But because the melody is really pretty, everyone thinks it's almost chipper, which is ridiculous
I've always thought that this song is a reference to suicide. The verses are a little vague, but the chorus is a tell tale sign to me that this song might be, or at least can be, about suicide...
The first lines describe how the character hides his sadness. His eyes are indisposed, and the snake (his depression or sadness) is in disguise. It hides behind his eyes, but is omnipresent in his mind. He's always depressed, but no one knows but him.
Now onto the chorus. "Black Hole Sun"... I've always thought that a Black Hole Sun was referring to the way a gun barrel looks when it goes off. When a gun goes off, there is a black hole in the middle of a ring of fire, which is exactly what a "Black holed Sun" would look like. "Won't you come and wash away the rain." I've always thought that Cornell was asking the Black Hole Sun to come and wash away his sadness, meaning that he wanted to shoot himself to end his pain.
I dont know. It's late at night and I can't sleep so i thought i'd present this theory. I'm a huge Soundgarden fan, and this is one of my favorites. I'd never seen this take on this song before, so these are my thoughts.
@jep321 "" I've always thought that a Black Hole Sun was referring to the way a gun barrel looks when it goes off... a black hole in the middle of a ring of fire.. exactly what a "Black holed Sun" would look like... come and wash away his sadness,"<br /> <br /> WOA~! Now that's one deep interpretation.<br /> I never really heard it like that myself, as I only half-listened and thought it was somehow the feeling of 'being with a woman' and 'her' dark-hole-sun washing away my loneliness'.<br /> But WOW! Yours was way deep - I pictured that shotgun blast in my mind - your thoughts about the lyrics and yes it definitely fits well with the words.<br /> <br /> I have a theory when it comes to how people interpret song lrics in particular.<br /> That most of us simply hear what it is that we're feeling and hearing in our heads you know?<br /> Like I've been more of a lonely/missing someone, so for me..<br /> the "black-hole-sun" was about wanting 'her' - wanting her to want me, and being 'with her' - to enter into 'her' black hole sun (so-to-speak) and for her rain to wash me clean of my lonely misery. (i really hope that made some bit of sense!)<br /> <br /> But were I in a depressed suicidal type of mood or even thinking about someone I had loved who left this world by way or a gun then I have little doubt Your Interpretation would be very much hae been mine as well. For especially songs with imagery, imagery that isn't clearly one thing or another.., we tend to fill in those with our own unspoken or deeply felt feelings of the time.<br /> if i may ask then...<br /> Was the case with you? - or someone close to you?<br /> <br /> Or did you come up with your lyrical view and meaning simply because that's what you heard in it - despite having no personal experiences with such deep depression <br />
@jep321 Perhaps the most prescient comment on the whole of this site.
"I've always thought that a Black Hole Sun was referring to the way a gun barrel looks when it goes off. When a gun goes off, there is a black hole in the middle of a ring of fire, which is exactly what a "Black holed Sun" would look like."
Yeah, that's what I came to think since entering the state of mind I have fairly recently, which OP was/is likely also in.
A couple of the biggest secrets of the occult are revealed in this song. No joke. The truth really is stranger than fiction sometimes, and I think it's safe to say anyone who knows the true meaning would no doubt be labeled insane if they were to share it with others.
sineistime:your the only one that is right about the meaning of this song and you nust know the truth.....lol...the others are just assuming...
this is true...your the only one on this page that spoke the truth...lol...you must know the truth then.....
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who sees this. Welcome to the aeon of Horus.
<br />
You're. ^^<br /> Highly doubt you know the "truth."
@Sineistime Hope you still get notifications for this but can you tell me these secrets? It's rather important and I already know a great deal about reptilians, Archons etc. err..... I think I already know lol!
I get the 'hide the face, lies the snake' but what else?
@Sineistime this is true, what he says "times are gone for honest man but sometimes way to far for snakes" means honest hard working middle class n poor , our time to live free are gone.....were all slaves because the occults have been working so long at world domination that they now have it! They control it all n will make you act as they want....for papers money, drugs, alcohol, gambling, crime, war n much more....for that fake paper money u have has no value the banks pull out today, guess what? You have nothing they got everything. So the dream state he mentions is the state we are in. We're so brainwashed over matiralism bullshit we dont need were like zombies, were no aware of our own were like a sleepwalking state of mind resembling sleep.....snakes meanning dirty business man had far too long to work thri magic....now we belong to them enslaved mentally, willing protect our masters!!! n the rest of the song clearly if you cant see this msg as ppl are sutch zombies you see how they live their life as advertiside on tv n magasine. What to eat, what to wear. Why do u think 40 50 60 70 80 90s up to now every decade a new era of fashion and the way ppl acted n danced even all and mainly dressed....every one acted the same did the same looked the same.....because they can changed the masses like little dolls, puppets really witch conset nor realection. The show you how much power they have over you and you dont even see it...
@Sineistime I can't agree more and I can't expound on how big this is. This song came to me when I heard of Chris Cornell's death. Only now in 2017 have I heard or really known his music. And how timely it can be, and how much I further understand this extreme simple yet meaningful song.
@Sineistime Looks light you were right!
@Sineistime Seeing this in January of 2018 has me shook.
@Sineistime I agree ..black hole sun has may dark levels to it ..not a new phrase at all
@Sineistime I agree ..black hole sun has may dark levels to it ..not a new phrase at all .........The black sun is a symbol employed in a post-Nazi Germany context by neo-Nazis and some occult subcultures, such as Satanism. The symbol first occurs as a design element in a castle remodeled and expanded under Heinrich Himmler during Nazi Germany. Wikipedia
@Sineistime Nooooo joke. The legitimate black hole sun and reptiles, and cleansing the earth man. Chris says what he wants to-- more like has to say--but he lays it out so, so clearly.
@Sineistime like a boss
@Sineistime 2024
@Sineistime well wats the truth I jus thought about
@Sineistime bingo!
I think the song's meaning is pretty straightforward.
The narrator is so tired of humanity that they're longing and hoping for the world to end. Pretty similar to "Aenema" by Tool.
"Times are gone for honest men And sometimes far too long for snakes"
The 70s, 80s, and 90s are the age when, at least in the United States, capitalism and corporations began to have an influence on every aspect of our daily lives. The good came with the bad, as people stepped all over each other just to get their piece of the pie. Things like honesty and integrity went out the window and the opportunists took over. "Nice guys finish last" became a mantra for many people.
"In my shoes, a walking sleep And my youth I pray to keep Heaven sent hell away No one sings like you anymore"
The narrator would rather die young than see society and humanity head in the direction that it's going. "Heaven sent hell away" refers to nature ending society on Earth. "No one sings like you anymore" seems to refer to how all of the old moral tenets – such a honesty, substance, and compassion – aren't really celebrated anymore.
"Hang my head, drown my fear Till you all just disappear"
The narrator will wait in despair until the annihilation of the human race.
Seems pretty screwed up, but misanthropy is common in a lot of Cornell's writing. He writes a lot of songs about the apocalypse ("New Damage," "4th of July") but also how he's looking forward to it. "Limo Wreck" is pretty much about the same thing. Also, "The Day I Tried To Live" seems to continue the whole theme of being an outsider and not feeling like a part of society.
The real question is whether or not there ever was a "Time for honest men," unfortunately. History doesn't seem to indicate that there ever was. You always get the good with the bad.
This is absolutely and completely what I have always believed this song to be. And I sometimes empathize these days. Great explanation.
@lastanzabianca Love your interpretation. Although Cornell stated he would just let the words flow lyrically and hasn't thought so much about the meaning and that it has no actual meaning at all, I do very much believe that his subconsciousness would let flow his actual views and feelings about the world and society into it. In "automatical writing" it happens too that the subconsciousness plays it's part, so I agree very much to every word you wrote here.
@lastanzabianca Any song means whatever you need it to mean at any given time. Many songs have hit me differently throughout the years.
I think this song is about doing drugs maybe like heroin or something. Like black hole sun being drugs. Like taking drugs to distort reality and forget about all the shit that pisses you off. Thats why the video was all tripped out. I dont know what it means thats just my opinion.
I think this is basically about the apocalypse and how its going to clean the earth of eveyrthing bad
wash away the rain
I think you guys should ear the Chris Cornell Live in Stockholm version. It's only Chris voice with his acoustic guitar. It really kick asses !!! The whole cd is filled of classic Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog and Audioslave songs. All acoustic !!!
When I hear the song and see the Video clip I cannot help thinking of that feeling when you see the world as dull and superficial. and you see the negetivity in everything, behind every smile. and you miss the good stuff that made you smile though they arent gone, u just don't see 'em at that moment.
and what could be better at that moment then a black hole in the sky to wash all that shit away, but there is none.
I can't really interpetate every phrase but that's what I feel the song is about. and hey, sometimes when writing the words just fit in with no explenation
This is my fucking ANTHEM SONG. I am obsessed and IN LOVE with this song. I've loved it since I was 4 years old. It takes me back to my younger years..and so forth...I love it. It's a GREAT SONG!!