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.
when all the numbers swim together
and all the shadows settle
when doors forced open shut again
a flytrap and a petal
my eyes burn and claws rush to fill them
and in the morning after the night
i fall in love with the light
it is so clear i realize
that here at last i have my eyes
when all the figures sound retreat
the soft skin starts to shrivel
when dreams made real become less sweet
the orchid and the metal
my sex turns and claws rush to spill them
but in the morning after the night
i fall in love with the light
it is so pure i can arise
without the fear of secret lies
when all the characters form signs
and every moon is level
when all the spirits burn in line
the center pierced by steel
my eyes burn and claws rush to fill them
but in the morning after the night
i fall in love with the light
it is so clear i realize
that now at last i have my eyes
and all the shadows settle
when doors forced open shut again
a flytrap and a petal
my eyes burn and claws rush to fill them
and in the morning after the night
i fall in love with the light
it is so clear i realize
that here at last i have my eyes
when all the figures sound retreat
the soft skin starts to shrivel
when dreams made real become less sweet
the orchid and the metal
my sex turns and claws rush to spill them
but in the morning after the night
i fall in love with the light
it is so pure i can arise
without the fear of secret lies
when all the characters form signs
and every moon is level
when all the spirits burn in line
the center pierced by steel
my eyes burn and claws rush to fill them
but in the morning after the night
i fall in love with the light
it is so clear i realize
that now at last i have my eyes
Lyrics submitted by precipitate, edited by freindbeast
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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.
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Why no commentary? Come on, there's got to be at least one PTV fan here!
Nightmares fading a daybreak as others appear, I suppose. Has a very occult air about it. Beautiful, amazing song, though. Very "Sunday Morning"-ish, on several levels.
This song is awesome, but what's the story behind Cold Steel, the one that pretty much is the same exact song?
Genesis said in a radio interview that the song is about him and his girl piercing their genitals.
Well, what that other guy heard in an interview is obviously probably right... this however, is my take.
Genesis studied magic under Brion Gysin, who was friends with William S. Burroughs (author of Naked Lunch). I think this is where he got "claws rush to fill them" since crab-like creatures are one of Burroughs' favorite characters. Especially the mention of his sex, this also reminds me of Burroughs' style.
The day after the night, the dark night of the soul? The period in which people who study magic start to doubt it. Which is then followed by something but I can't remember, although I'll bet it has to do with light.
I think it's about enlightenment, and the magical teachings of Gysin/Burroughs.
he has this evil, heaviness, chaotic karma-- whatever name you like-- that drives him as the day wears into the isolation of night; once he wakes in the morning he has been cleansed of those energies and simply bathes in positivity and open morality. in a cycle like that. it's about our society and how hard it is to live in it without succumbing to a lower nature.
he has this evil, heaviness, chaotic karma-- whatever name you like-- that drives him as the day wears into the isolation of night; once he wakes in the morning he has been cleansed of those energies and simply bathes in positivity and open morality. in a cycle like that. it's about our society and how hard it is to live in it without succumbing to a lower nature.
he has this evil, heaviness, chaotic karma-- whatever name you like-- that drives him as the day wears into the isolation of night; once he wakes in the morning he has been cleansed of those energies and simply bathes in positivity and open morality. in a cycle like that. it's about our society and how hard it is to live in it without succumbing to a lower nature.
This song is about the science fiction book "Dhalgren" by Samuel R. Delaney...
According to G.P.O orchids were the result of wolves sperm left in the grass...
Genesis commented on an old youtube video (wish it was still posted) that what inspired the song was the stark juxtaposition of the phonetically similar words - an orchid, the flowering plant, and an orchiectomy, the surgical procedure.
In the same comment stream, someone asked if they'd heard the Califone cover, and they commented that they had, and loved it.