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.
With the heartbreak open
So much you can't hide
Put on a little makeup, makeup
Make sure they get your good side, good side
If the words unspoken
Get stuck in your throat
Send a treasure token token
Write it on a pound note, pound note
Goody two, goody two, goody goody two shoes
Goody two, goody two, goody goody two shoes
Don't drink, don't smoke, what do you do?
Don't drink, don't smoke, what do you do?
Subtle innuends follow
There must be something inside
We don't follow fashion
That would be a joke
You know we're going to set them, set them
So everyone can take note, take note
When they saw you kneeling
Crying words that you mean
Opening their eyeballs, eyeballs
Pretending that you're Al Green, Al Green
Goody two, goody two, goody goody two shoes
Goody two, goody two, goody goody two shoes
Don't drink, don't smoke, what do you do?
Don't drink, don't smoke, what do you do?
Subtle innuends follow
There must be something inside
No one's gonna tell me
What's wrong or what's right
Or tell me who to eat with sleep with
Or that I've won the big fight, big fight
Look out or they'll tell you
You're a Superstar
Two weeks and you're an all time legend
I think the games have gone much too far
If the words unspoken
It get stuck in your throat
Send a treasure token, token
Write it on a pound note, pound note
Don't drink, don't smoke, what do you do?
Don't drink, don't smoke, what do you do?
Subtle innuends follow
There must be something inside
He said, don't drink, don't smoke, what do you do?
Don't drink don't smoke, what do you do?
Subtle innuends follow
There must be something inside
He said don't drink, don't smoke, what do you do?
Don't drink don't smoke, what do you do?
Subtle innuends follow
There must be something inside
He said no drink, don't smoke, what do you do?
Don't drink don't smoke, what do you do?
Subtle innuends follow
There must be something inside
He said no drink, don't smoke, what do you do?
Don't drink don't smoke, what do you do?
Subtle innuends follow
There must be something inside
So much you can't hide
Put on a little makeup, makeup
Make sure they get your good side, good side
If the words unspoken
Get stuck in your throat
Send a treasure token token
Write it on a pound note, pound note
Goody two, goody two, goody goody two shoes
Goody two, goody two, goody goody two shoes
Don't drink, don't smoke, what do you do?
Don't drink, don't smoke, what do you do?
Subtle innuends follow
There must be something inside
We don't follow fashion
That would be a joke
You know we're going to set them, set them
So everyone can take note, take note
When they saw you kneeling
Crying words that you mean
Opening their eyeballs, eyeballs
Pretending that you're Al Green, Al Green
Goody two, goody two, goody goody two shoes
Goody two, goody two, goody goody two shoes
Don't drink, don't smoke, what do you do?
Don't drink, don't smoke, what do you do?
Subtle innuends follow
There must be something inside
No one's gonna tell me
What's wrong or what's right
Or tell me who to eat with sleep with
Or that I've won the big fight, big fight
Look out or they'll tell you
You're a Superstar
Two weeks and you're an all time legend
I think the games have gone much too far
If the words unspoken
It get stuck in your throat
Send a treasure token, token
Write it on a pound note, pound note
Don't drink, don't smoke, what do you do?
Don't drink, don't smoke, what do you do?
Subtle innuends follow
There must be something inside
He said, don't drink, don't smoke, what do you do?
Don't drink don't smoke, what do you do?
Subtle innuends follow
There must be something inside
He said don't drink, don't smoke, what do you do?
Don't drink don't smoke, what do you do?
Subtle innuends follow
There must be something inside
He said no drink, don't smoke, what do you do?
Don't drink don't smoke, what do you do?
Subtle innuends follow
There must be something inside
He said no drink, don't smoke, what do you do?
Don't drink don't smoke, what do you do?
Subtle innuends follow
There must be something inside
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This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
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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."
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 think the Don't drink don't smoke - what do you do? thing is about the press questioning him. I think Adam didn't drink or smoke so they wondered what exactly he did do
That sounds better then most-hey "antmann" from "The Chris Isaak Show"? No wait that was the "Andman"...
basically, this person is undercover cool
I think this song is about someone who has a lot of sex, but doesn't drink or smoke. It is being sly and implying things.
Adam Ant actually explained it himself by saying that from day one he always went at music like an athlete, meaning that he didn't drink, smoke, or do any drugs. The reason for the band breaking up and Adam going solo was actually because some of the band had started dipping into the drug scene we all know was rampant in the 80's. As for the "what do you do" was, he has never said and probably will never say because he claims that it's noone's business.
@Ms_Clairelyse have you got a link or any reference for this?? Just so others can check it out for themselves. Thanks.
On the face of it they seem to be about fame, appearing to be very clean living, and at the same time hinting that he is interested in sex rather than intoxicants.
I am probably reading far too much into them but Adam Ant is someone who had a mystical/psychotic experience and there is something about these lyrics, that make me think that they may also be about an altered state of consciousness, or my axe to grind.
A little preamble. Derrida claims that the Western world, our philosophy, religion, and self above all, centre on the experience of hearing oneself speak in ones head. We usually assume that the phoneme are accompanied by ideas which we call to mind via the phonemes, to weigh up the ideas, or practice saying them to others. Derrida however believes that there is no duality (phoneme in the head, plus idea, concept whatever) except in time. We say things to ourselves, and then we hear and react to them. By doing this we create in ourselves a sort of radio play with one actor and two personae who act out a sordid love affair inside our heads. Derrida illustrates this with his book "The Post Card" which appears to be a collection of auto-erotic, homo-erotic, self-addressed, postcards. Derrida links the way in which language gets inside us to the myth of the fall in Genesis.
Adam Ant also named himself Adam after Adam in Genesis and as an ant, some how minute in comparison to that which he had experienced.
The verse
If the words unspoken, Get stuck in your throat Send a treasure token, token, Write it on a pound note, pound note
Remind me of the Fall (Adam's apple stuck in your throat), and Derrida's gambit, comparing words in the mind to those written on post cards.
This verse, seems so straight forward till the final line.
Don't drink don't smoke - what do you do? You don't drink don't smoke - what do you do? Subtle innuendoes follow, There must be something inside
It sounds like he is being asked what he is into. And the subtle innuendoes suggests that he is into sex (as he was, by all accounts) but what is the "There must be something inside" bit? Again, this reminds me of Derrida and the internal love affair.
Then there are some verses that seem to be about fame, but once again, returning to the words stuck in his throat. I am sure that I am reading too much into this!
I think the lyrics are self explanatory. Like Gary Numan, Adam sang a lot about the ups and downs of being famous. This was Adam's first big hit in the US. His sound was much less interesting at this point, which is partially why it became a hit. It IS a catchy pop tune but far from his best.
I know nothing about this song, but i really love it.
Some of the lyrics are wrong, Im sorry but I think they are. I love this song though. My friends and I sing and dance to it.. Sorry for whoever wrote these. You still rock for posting them!!
@Zarilloluver The lyrics are correct. Out of curiosity what are you hearing that is different from posted lyrics?
Early '80's...young guy with lotsa $$...and apparently he's "sexy"...uhm cocaine might splain dis song.lol No really I think has sunthin to do with someone not actually engaging in any actual vices other be promiscuous.
Yeah it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. My high school English teacher would always say "I'm adam ant", when he was saying "I'm adamant"...
He was sexy due to his physical looks (his face was gorgeous then)...his stage presence (spunky; sexy; energetic; etc) and his voice wasn't bad. His music was upbeat and epitomized the new wave/punk era. Saw him in concert (as you KNOW) and loved his show.
Ot Oh, you were talkin' about the lyrics and not Adam Ant. My bad. Mouth shut...
Actually no I had no idea that you had seen him in concert or liked him...I know that back in the day he broke his leg on stage,went to the E/R had it set and cast and went back to finish his show or he actually did his show with a broken leg? Can't remember for sure-old age.Anyways helluva a show man...
Like All of Adam's lyrics, he's venturing the phenomenological basis of Heiddeggar's hermetic view of absurdism, a la Camus, into a taught rendering of Situationist ennui, a la Madonna