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.
Late night, brakes lock, hear the tires squeal
Red light, can't stop, so I spin the wheel
My world goes black before I
Feel an angel lift me up
And I open bloodshot eyes
Into fluorescent white
They flip the siren, hit the lights
Close the doors, and I am gone
Now I lay here owing my life
To a stranger, and I realize
That empty words are not enough
I'm left here with the question of just
What have I to show except
The promises I never kept?
I lie here shaking on this bed
Under the weight of my regrets
I hope, that I will never let you down
I know, that this can be more than just
Flashing lights and sounds
Look around and you'll see that at times
It feels like no one really cares
It gets me down, but I'm still gonna try to
Do what's right, I know that there's a
Difference between sleight of hand
And giving everything you have
There's a line drawn in the sand
I'm working up the will to cross it
And I hope, that I will never let you down
I know, that this can be more than just
Flashing lights and sounds
Rhetoric can't raise the dead, I'm sick of always talking
When there's no change
Rhetoric can't raise the dead, I'm sick of empty words
Let's lead, and not follow
Late night, brakes lock, hear the tires squeal
Red light, can't stop, so I spin the wheel
My world goes black before I
Feel an angel steal me from the
Greedy jaws of death and chance
And pull me in with steady hands
They've given me a second chance
The artist in the ambulance
I hope, that I will never let you down
I know, that this can be more than just
Flashing lights and sounds
Can we pick you off the ground?
More than flashing lights and sounds
Red light, can't stop, so I spin the wheel
My world goes black before I
Feel an angel lift me up
And I open bloodshot eyes
Into fluorescent white
They flip the siren, hit the lights
Close the doors, and I am gone
Now I lay here owing my life
To a stranger, and I realize
That empty words are not enough
I'm left here with the question of just
What have I to show except
The promises I never kept?
I lie here shaking on this bed
Under the weight of my regrets
I hope, that I will never let you down
I know, that this can be more than just
Flashing lights and sounds
Look around and you'll see that at times
It feels like no one really cares
It gets me down, but I'm still gonna try to
Do what's right, I know that there's a
Difference between sleight of hand
And giving everything you have
There's a line drawn in the sand
I'm working up the will to cross it
And I hope, that I will never let you down
I know, that this can be more than just
Flashing lights and sounds
Rhetoric can't raise the dead, I'm sick of always talking
When there's no change
Rhetoric can't raise the dead, I'm sick of empty words
Let's lead, and not follow
Late night, brakes lock, hear the tires squeal
Red light, can't stop, so I spin the wheel
My world goes black before I
Feel an angel steal me from the
Greedy jaws of death and chance
And pull me in with steady hands
They've given me a second chance
The artist in the ambulance
I hope, that I will never let you down
I know, that this can be more than just
Flashing lights and sounds
Can we pick you off the ground?
More than flashing lights and sounds
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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
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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."
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Amazing
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Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Dear God... This song is not strictly about "a guy who gets severely injured in a car accident, then is saved by paramedics and finds himself questioning the validity of his life"... and I can guarantee you its not about "how awesome paramedics are".
The entire song is a metaphor. Artist and creator... same thing. When anyone says "the creator".. its safe to say they are referring to God. He uses paramedics because of the symbolism they bring of existing to help others when others cant help themselves; which is ultimately Gods role in our lives.
The crash itself stands for any hard time in our lives that hits us hard and make us question if life is even worth continuing. This is why we need a "paramedic" to save us.
Thrice doesn't declare themselves as a Christian band, but the fact that Dustin is a devout follower is going to show through his music. Just as Christian bands will often have one or two songs on their album that don't necessarily relate to Christianity, bands that declare themselves secular should have the freedom to write a song about God, if its what is inspiring them at the time, without their song being slaughtered by interpretations guessing that it relates to how the music industry is dying.
Well said sir!
I cant believe no one has said anything about this song, its my favorite song off this CD. the lyrics tell one hell of a story and the breakdowns are amazing.
i'm left here with the question of just what have i to show except the promises i never kept? i lie here shaking on this bed, under the weight of my regrets i hope that i will never let you down
Wow.
i think this song is fairly clear cut in it's meaning The person gets in a car accident and while he is lying there in the ambulance he is realizing that the life he lead was not as great as he had thought and that the accident made him realize that "What do I have to show except the promises I never kept?" "Lie here on this shaking bed under the weight of my own regret." Then he decides that he is not going to talk without action any more "I realize that empty words are not enough" He knows there is something beyond what he is seeing and that it is good and it is for good "i know this can be more then just flashing lights and sounds" Then he is getting upset because he looks around and realizes that no one is caring about the world around them beyond the flashing lights and sounds then he decides he is going to do something about he's going to cross the line in the sand, which is an old saying about crossing the line into "non comformity" cause he knows that there is a difference between lazyness (slight of hand) and giving it your all (giving everything you have)
The song to be is about a person that nearly gets killed and realizes that their not leading the right life because they only have empty promises and regrets. And they realize that people in the world don't care and it gets them down but they are going to change make a difference cross that line in the sand because they know there is a difference between giving it you're all and making it look like it (difference between slight of hand and giving everything you have) And this near death experience lets them realize that there is more beyond just what their senses tell them (i know that this can be more then flashing lights and sounds) and that speaking smoothly and convincingly won't raise you from the dead or the death that's befallen you by your lack of honest and the life you've chosen
This song was inspired by Al Burian's book "The Burn Collector." I think song is about how Thrice hopes they can be more than just a band. (more than flashing lights and sound). They want to inspire and motivate people (can we pick you off the ground) to make the world a better place for everyone to live in.
A paramedic physically helps people who are hurt and wounded. They are literally picking people up off the ground. It's easy to see, how everyday they are out making society a better place for us all.
It's a little different for an Artist. An artist has to figure out a way to abstractly pick people off the ground and help them. Quite a daunting task for any Musician or Artist. But, this song is Thrice's way of telling their fans they will take on this challenge with everything thing they have. They are the artist in the ambulance and they will do their best to pick us off the ground.
I hope this makes sense to someone.
Firstly, a whole section of the lyrics is missing. "there's a line drawn in the sand, im working up the will to cross it and i hope, that i will never let you down, i know, that this could be more than just, flashing lights and sounds! Rhetoric can't raise the dead' and so on
Amazing song, first Thrice song I ever heard, they are now my favourite band. Saw them live last time they came to Australia and met Dustin.
These lyrics are amazing. to me they mean this
A person, who is in a car accident, realises after his life has just been saved, his life is not as great as he thinks. He realises he has alot to be thankful for and there is alot that he has not done in his life. 'Rhetoric Cant Raise the Dead' I think perhaps is Dustin refering to how, no matter how much you talk or run your mouth, it will get you nowhere,
'i know that this could be more than just flashing lights and sounds' is dustin hoping his music can be more than flashing lights (perhaps during there shows) and sounds (the actual song) he is hoping for it to mean something more to people, 'can we pick you off the ground' take people some place spiritual or amazing,
Just like paramedics literally pick people up of the ground.
he hopes his music can be tlife changing and important to people, that of a paramedic, perhaps who was the ambulance driver 'the angel' at the songs beginning
i dunno. my first post on this site. it easier to edxplain in words. lol
rhetoric can't raise the dead i'm sick of always talking when there's no change i'm sick of empty words, let's lead and not follow
i think that refers to prayer, saying like even if you prey perfectly it wont bring someone back from the dead and the words are empty because they mean nothing and we should follow our own beliefs and not other peoples
also just because thrice isnt a christian band does not mean Dustin isnt one
i think that this song has two levels to it the first the more obvious one is how he doesn't know how to thank this person or people who he doesn't even know who saved his life and the second i think it also talks about how the music industry is dying in some ways
This song is totally money! This song was basically written around a crazy harmonic note that Teppei's guitar made every time i touched the strings. The lyrics are based off of a short story by Al Burian in his book "Burn Collector". They said it took about 800 leads until they finally had the right one, and now the song rules! Thrice breaks em all down.