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.
Your back's against the wall
There's no-one home to call
You're forgetting who you are
You can't stop crying
It's part not giving in
And part trusting your friends
You do it all again
And I'm not lying
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Standing in the way of control
You live your life
Survive the only way that you know
I'm doing this for you
Because it's easier to lose
And it's hard to face the truth
When you think you're dying
It's part not giving in
And part trusting your friends
You do it all again
But you don't stop trying
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
[x4]
Because Standing in the way of control
You live your life
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Standing in the way of control
We live our lives
Because we're standing in the way of control
We will live our lives
Because we're standing in the way of control
We live our lives
Because we're standing in the way of control
We will live our lives
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Your back's against the wall
There's no-one home to call
You're forgetting who you are
You can't stop crying
It's part not giving in
And part trusting your friends
You do it all again
You don't stop trying
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Standing in the way of control
Survive the only way that you know
There's no-one home to call
You're forgetting who you are
You can't stop crying
It's part not giving in
And part trusting your friends
You do it all again
And I'm not lying
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Standing in the way of control
You live your life
Survive the only way that you know
I'm doing this for you
Because it's easier to lose
And it's hard to face the truth
When you think you're dying
It's part not giving in
And part trusting your friends
You do it all again
But you don't stop trying
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
[x4]
Because Standing in the way of control
You live your life
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Standing in the way of control
We live our lives
Because we're standing in the way of control
We will live our lives
Because we're standing in the way of control
We live our lives
Because we're standing in the way of control
We will live our lives
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Your back's against the wall
There's no-one home to call
You're forgetting who you are
You can't stop crying
It's part not giving in
And part trusting your friends
You do it all again
You don't stop trying
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Standing in the way of control
Survive the only way that you know
Lyrics submitted by SparksOfGold
Standing in the Way of Control Lyrics as written by Mary Beth Patterson Hannah Blilie
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Thursday
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Hayalperest
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
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.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Wikipedia says: "The band's breakthrough song "Standing in the Way of Control" was written by Ditto as a response to her government's decision to deny gays the right to marriage in the US. "Nobody in the States was that surprised or shocked by what Bush did, but it made everyone I know feel helpless and cheated," Beth says. "I wrote the chorus to try and encourage people not to give up. It's a scary time for civil rights, but I really believe the only way to survive is to stick together and keep fighting.""
Interesting, eh?
beth ditto rocks
"The Gossip's breakthrough single "Standing In The Way Of Control" is a savage attack on George W. Bush" - Uncut magazine interview with Beth.
savage attack on Bush, eh? Then for that reason alone, I love it. :)
What I love about this song is that its intentional meaning is not obvious so people can relate to it in many ways. It's intentional meaning however is about gay marriage, this song is almost answering back to Bush's decision on gay marriage. Correct me if I'm wrong but I also get this feeling is about hope from thius song. As in, you have to stay together and keep on fighting for that right...
i never knew this song was about gay rights? i always took it as about when you are under the influence of drugs/alchohol, and you are "losing who you are", "can't stop crying"... i thought it was illustrating how we are hindering the control we have over our own selves when we get f*cked up and how we live our lives anyway and continue to do drugs and have no control. And it's hard to face the truth When you think you're dying It's part not giving in And part trusting your friends
^ i thought those lines kind of talk about how people get messed up on drugs so they don't have to deal with problems and you still don't stop doing drugs and you just trust your friends who tell you to do them.
but i think i probably just associate it this too much with Skins, you know? cause now that i analyze it again, it definitely makes sense about the gays fighting for rights.
i'm just going to say it can have a double meaning!!!!
This is an amazing song...can't believe no one's commented on it yet!
wicked
Pity this has forever been associated with drunk trashy teenagers, in the UK at least.
Yea kool song. The soulwax nite version for the show Skins is pretty awesome too. It just reminds me of that show now.