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.
Hold onto chance
Lest we bleed ourselves
Save for the pets
They're the loneliest
Put into jars
We'll save this earth
Put into jars
We'll save the earth
We can't both become the same
Pawn that's made to fall
Oil that tastes like blood
Stole the summer scent
From me to you
You're stabbing me through you
You're stabbing you through him
And betting most of
This world
We'll add enough of the world
Steal from yourselves
It never felt so good
And feed from their hand's
Confuse by opposites
Put into jars
We'll save this earth
Put into jars
Keep safe this earth
We can't both become the same
Pawn that's made to fall
Oil that tastes like blood
Stole the summer scent
From me to you
You're stabbing me through you
You're stabbing you through him
And betting most of
This world
We'll add enough of the world
This world
We'll add enough of the world
Feeling manic for a day
Depends on the trends
Depends on the surface
If the sun never sets
We can't both become the same
Pawn that's made to fall
Oil that tastes like blood
Stole the summer scent
From me to you
You're stabbing me through you
You're stabbing you through him
And betting most of
This world
We'll add enough of the world
Is the main thing you'll shout
'Til the bitter end
Into jars
Lest we bleed ourselves
Save for the pets
They're the loneliest
Put into jars
We'll save this earth
Put into jars
We'll save the earth
We can't both become the same
Pawn that's made to fall
Oil that tastes like blood
Stole the summer scent
From me to you
You're stabbing me through you
You're stabbing you through him
And betting most of
This world
We'll add enough of the world
Steal from yourselves
It never felt so good
And feed from their hand's
Confuse by opposites
Put into jars
We'll save this earth
Put into jars
Keep safe this earth
We can't both become the same
Pawn that's made to fall
Oil that tastes like blood
Stole the summer scent
From me to you
You're stabbing me through you
You're stabbing you through him
And betting most of
This world
We'll add enough of the world
This world
We'll add enough of the world
Feeling manic for a day
Depends on the trends
Depends on the surface
If the sun never sets
We can't both become the same
Pawn that's made to fall
Oil that tastes like blood
Stole the summer scent
From me to you
You're stabbing me through you
You're stabbing you through him
And betting most of
This world
We'll add enough of the world
Is the main thing you'll shout
'Til the bitter end
Into jars
Lyrics submitted by ~dreamer~, edited by bestbuyguy
Jars Lyrics as written by Samuel Loeffler Peter Loeffler
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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I agree with that fact that their lyrics are open to everyone's interpretation. It really brings out the Tool influence in the lyrics, Maynard James-Keenan was the same way, profound but vague.
Having said that, here is my interpretation. I like to think this song is about human beings' willingness to try to save the world through preservation instead of curbing the negative acts (pollution, material excess, greed). Put what we might lose into jars instead of insuring that it is there in the future. Add everything into jars so we can claim that it's not lost though in reality it is. Extinction, obsolete technology, fossil fuel's ("oil that tastes like blood") being possible things that we will need to save through jars instead of changing our ways. Rock On Pete!
@grenparp <br /> <br /> Sam Loeffler: "a kind of a play on words. It's saving the environment. It's a joke about saving the environment and it's about literally taking the earth, and putting it into jars to save it for later. It's very tongue in cheek."
@grenparp I dont know that I will read any others. This is a great thought and Im buying into it 100%. Good job. :)
Wow, I think this song is about so much things at the same time, much more about a very specific feeling you could have, pondering over the current state of things in the world. Mainly, the message isn't very optimistic; if the world should come to an end, and we had a chance to save some stuff into jars, well not much will fit in but that'll be just enough of "this world". Somehow, it says that all that matters for us right now isn't to be found down here. Pretty spiritual and inspiring, maybe depressive but that depends on what you see in the aftermath. I'm really excited about their new album because that song is already getting stuck so hard in my head! IT's so short yet I can't uncheck the replay button!
Nice job putting this together, I was having a hard time with it. I think you've got the majority of it right, but one thing I thought I heard differently...
In the chorus, I think he may say...
We can't both become the same pawn that's made to fall
There's also something else said in the "stole...some from me to you" line, but I can't quite put my finger on it.
Also, at the end...
This world, we've had enough of the world its the main you'll show 'till the bitter end into jars
I don't think that second line is right, but thats all I could get out of it.
Song itself is growing on me, though. First listen through I wasn't a fan but its definitely got me excited for the album.
If anyone hasn't seen the video yet, it may be interesing to find the meaning of the song in CROATOAN<br /> Good luck
Real lyrics obtained off of chevelleinc.com:
Hold onto chance Lest we bleed ourselves Save for the pets They’re the loneliest
Put into jars We’ll save this earth Put into jars We’ll save the earth
We can’t both become the same pawn That’s made to fall Oil that tastes like Blood steals the summer scent From me to you You’re stabbing me through you You’re stabbing you through him And betting most of This world We’ll add enough of the world
Steal from yourselves It never felt so good And feed from their hand’s Confuse by opposites
Put into jars We’ll save this earth Put into jars Keep safe this earth
Feeling manic for a day Depends on the trends Depends on the surface If the sun never sets
This world We’ll add enough of the world Is the main thing you’ll shout Till the bitter end
Into Jars
"Drummer Sam Loeffler told Vancouver radio station 99.3 The Fox that this song's subject matter reflects the quirky themes of Sci-Fi Crimes. He explained that the song, 'I's kind of a play on words. It's saving the environment. It's a joke about saving the environment and it's about literally taking the earth, and putting it into jars to save it for later. It's very tongue in cheek.'"
I can see that some of this is satire, but with a serious message at the same time, just my thoughts, I imagine Sam had more to say then that one line.
I'd also like to hear some of Pete's thoughts on it maybe. For something like this to be completely satirical is kind of a stretch. I am sure it came from some real thoughts and feelings on the subject, but the efforts to save the environment are pretty laughable. It's mostly all talk, and use these light bulbs, and buy this car...well that's a pathetic attempt.
noisecreep.com/2009/07/08/chevelle-saving-the-earth-one-jar-at-a-time/
here's the interview where they explain it
Thanks, that clears up a lot of the smoke the right-wingers have been blowing since the lyrics got posted. For all those people who kept claiming that they heard this song's a rant against environmentalists...<br /> <br /> ---<br /> <br /> "I'm a supporter of stopping global warming and saving the environment," Loeffler told Noisecreep. "The only thing is, I took a little bit of a different spin on it. It's a fictional idea, a crazy one. What if we were to save some of the Earth? The imagery is just saving everything into these jars down in the basement. It's very random. It's kind of absurd. If you can picture a cellar and a shelf full of jars and each jar has something a little different in it from the Earth. It's basically just saying, 'Wake up,' but hopefully in a more creative way than just blatantly coming out and saying, 'Stop global warming.'"
The vast majority of actors and artists are far left, and those that aren't would never make a song about it. So there's no way I would think they were making fun of environmentalists. They are almost required to believe it's true. Even after the recent events that brought to light the scientists making up the global warming hoax, believers still believe, and haters still hate. It will be 50 years by the time global warming is proven or disproven, so everyone will have made their money and died by then.
i believe this song is about people not saying what they believe in.....and just going along with what is popular too say, basically bottling up your thoughts in "jars", but thats just what i think because pete has a very unique way of writing. Perfect example is the song " get some" , apparently that song is about american idol and never once does it seem too be about that.
Not to be an ass...but the American Idol reference is quite obvious in get some. However, I don't think it's just about that. I think it's about how any band can acheive their piece of the pie and not necessarily the fame. Record labels take so much from artists who put everything in and don't get much back these days. <br /> <br /> But I think it's about pushing yourself to be better and better. "Set the pace again". Kind of saying we need to set the bar here not just try and copy it. Or when you add "A blackout, touching new life" you could take it as a live performance. Their setting the pace of the show, getting the audience involved. Everytime the lights go ot there will be a new opportunity when they come back on. Just how I see it.
this is a good song. what i get from the lyrics is its about if the world was about to end what would we try to save?
but they love to make people wonder what the hell their songs are about...
i couldnt agree anymore glebray
But this precious treasure-this light and power that now shine within us-is held in perishable containers (jars), that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and not our own. 2 Corinthians 4:7 <br /> <br /> Probably not what the song is about but interesting parallels. To quote the song, "...we've had enough of this world..."
i know it might be too obvious, but could he be talking about pollution and burning fossil fuels too? i just think so because he mentions bleeding ourselves, oil that tastes like blood, stabbing me through you and you through him is maybe countries at war for land and energy, betting most of the world in the process?? i'm kinda biased because that's something that frustrates me right now. its my world, and everybody's screwing it up polluting and killing, and all i can do is try to hold on to the good stuff, ya know?
dude, all this pollution and global warming shit is total bullshit. ok, we only live on 1% of the earth. we live on the crust, which is only 1 fucking percent. we arent doin shit to it. the other 99%, mantle, outer core, and inner core is what makes this earth run. we cant even fuckin drill or get to it! so how are we affectin it? were not... all those scientists are bullshittin you for money and support so they can get more money. if this earth had its own mind like ours it would kill us off right away., we are a fuckin bug on its arm. even if we took all the nukes and firepower we have, we couldnt destroy this fuckin earth, so i dont think burnin gas is gonna do it either, you fuck face. these fossil fuels aree here for us to use and thrive off of. what the hell else are we gonna use it for. Let Freedom Rev motherfucker!!!!!!
I guess shit can sometimes have half a brain... congrats.<br /> <br /> It's not an issue whatsoever concerning the percentage of Earth that's lived on... in fact it's utterly fucking stupid to even bring it up... typical asshat RWNJ bullshit.<br /> <br /> If you think we're not "doin shit to it" you're a fucking misfit. There was a reason for Bush's "golden hour" of environmental deregulations before he left office... and that was for fucking money. If anyone puts money before our Earth, God's creation, they are most absolutely fucked.<br /> <br /> You are fucked dickhead... ya fucking punk.
So, from what I can guess, I'd say this is about the war on terror and our situation worldwide as a country and super power. And saying how we should probably hold on to what makes our world a unique one by preserving what is peacefull before its too late because its unraveling fast. Also about the government exercising self control.
Hold on to chance, Lest we bleed ourselves- We're pushing our luck and losing numnbers in the war.
Then save for the pets, they're the lonliest- The pets are the soldiers? Who are lonely because of the situation? Maybe??? haha
Put into jars, we'll save this earth- Try to hold on what makes our world good in the midst of a shit storm.
We can't both become the same pawn that's made to fall- (I'm not sure about this one) Possibly saying the military is designed to be expendable.
Oil that tastes like, blood that steals the summer's scent- The bloodshed of war is on people's minds and detracting from what summer is supposed to be, a nice, leisurely, vacation-like time. Even in "peace time" it still eats at people. And the oil was taken at a price.
From me to you, your stabbing me through you, you're stabbing you through him- The government and "getting the job done" at what ever costs. Even if it means the actions put other's lives at stake.
And betting most of this world, we'll add enough of the world- The government(?) puts the world at stake with there actions. It's important to remember the world in it's beauty to preserve it in a "jar" for viewing and memories.
Steal form yourselves, it never felt so good, And feed from their hands, confuse by opposites- We're slurring the bounds of stealing and recieving. Also, yourselves may be refering to the fact that we are a universal mankind, and to steal from someone, you're stealing from yourself. (Oil?)
Put into jars,keep safe this earth- Before the world kills itself,take part of it to guard and preserve.
Feeling manic for a day, depends on the trends, depends on the surface, if the sun never sets- The sun setting may be a metaphor for the war ending. The public viewpoint (like gas prices and the stock market and things the public sees) will be the ultimate say if the war is over.
This world, we’ll add enough of the world, is the main thing you’ll shout, till the bitter end- Kind of like an "I told you so" deal?
Yaaaa, that's what I pulled from it. But this is why I love CheVelle so much. Every song can be intrepreted differently by everone. And does anyone else LOVE the fact that the bass is so much more sudible in "Jars?" I love CheVelle.
( P.S. I'm not some kid trying to give my political views.This is just what makes sense to me. I'm not saying this is right, and the only way to interpret this song.)
I think you're right on man. To add something, "we can't booth become the same pawn that's meant to fall".<br /> <br /> I've got a thought on that. I think he's saying we can't all just do as were told and become expendable. If we all do that, then we'll all be gone before long. I think he's basically saying people need to speak up and act. It's time we all stop being pawns and letting everything we know change and even vanish in front of us because of greed and a thirst for power. I think it all comes together on the second verse.<br /> <br /> Steal from yourselves...and so on. I think you're on track there too. Overall I agree with what you've said here. Chevelle seems to be going in a more political direction with this album, and I for one like it.