I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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"'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."
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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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.
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Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
The lord is your shepherd, not men - not yourself. Focus on spirituality..
Well done. The Lord is our shepherd. God bless you.
AMEN!!!!
I love this post so much!!! As you can see I visited this page a month ago, so much has happened in the last month. It was such a blessing that I came back and saw this comment! It is simple, but very very important! Thank you so much ifamericansknewdotorg!!!! God Bless you!!!
Love this song. It is my belief the original reference comes from the bible, Christ told the waters to "be still". An analogy to life and being satisfied. My mom used to tell me that when I was young.
This is like one of my top three eagle songs but i can't decide what the others are and there are way to many to have a top 10 even. Something about the lyrics just attract my ears.
Same here, but it took me a while to find this song. There are a ton of hits, that I keep listening to, but one day my ipod shuffled to this song, and it sounded so good!
Every once in a while a song comes along that resontes deeply with who you are and where you're at in your life. This song captures the essence of tantra . The first stanza describes how we live in paradise ,yet we are tormented by the voices in our head ~ tantra recognizes that ego is the source of all misery.
"learn to be still " is a refernce to meditation... learn to quiet your mind.
The next stanza describes the dangers of attachment. The lyrics say we don't know how to be alone. We are afraid to be alone ... to know and love ourselves, so we cling to whatever fills that void - religion, sex ,media ,drugs .. they're all the wrong gods.
"Now the flowers in your garden They don't smell so sweet Maybe you've forgotten The heaven lying at your feet"
The sad realization that we all come to, life isn't as wonderful as we want it to be. and then... everything you need to feel the joy you are lacking, is in YOU.
Henley ties it all togehter so beautifully in the last stanza, In your worst moments all you need is to open your heart - to awaken and to learn to be still.
This song is a gift of love , and hopefully it does awaken people to what is right in front of them.
This song is about humans' worshiping gods and being hopeful of the afterlife, doing what it takes to be qualified for heaven sometimes even sacrificing happiness here on earth. At first, in the beginning of humanity, we are like sheep without a shepherd. Not worshipping anything. But we didn't know how to live like that. We couldn't explain things so we create gods. Even the wrong/scary/cruel gods. But humans want another kind of god. The flock cries for another. We then create yet again another. And another. Some people had to die even to be god. People worshipping gods thought they would be satisfied and find happiness in the promise of the after life. But then one day something came. Doubt. The words ringing in their heads. There are many contradictions in the words. They realize they are no longer happy. The flowers in their garden don't seem so sweet. The reward for what they work for all their life doesn't seem worth it anymore. It might not be real and they worked for nothing. And they worked so much for worshipping. But what they might just be missing is that they are already in heaven here on earth and should enjoy every moment. They sort of want to get out of the system but how do you do that? Everyone worships something! Where will they fit in if they get out of the system? What would they believe? The answer learning to be still. I also believe this is meditation. When you do that, everything will make sense and you will be awakened. Keep on running. Keep on living and be awakened and enjoy life!
I don't know that this song is intentionally religious. I think the plain language is about people who always think the "grass is greener," either because of the relationship they're in, the place they live, their job, or some other thing they aren't satisfied with. I know from personal experience this type of attitude is a bad habit that is difficult to unlearn. There's always going to be something unsatisfying in a relationship, a job, or in the place you live in. Once you're old enough to actually look in the mirror and be honest with yourself, you start to discover that much of the problem is you. That is why a new relationship, job, or city never solves the problem. This song is about looking in the mirror, changing yourself and your attitude, being thankful for what you have and counting your blessings.
Read Psalms 46:10
This sounds like a road weary band/musician's plight. The road and all it's "rewards" seem to mesmerize the performers, but after awhile, the grass isn't so green, and it would be nice just to be still. In the second verse, he speaks of sheep (followers/fans) who come to hear the "Messiah" (musician) play, and they cry out for more, and he "keeps answering that bell", until it's over, and he, the Starry Eyed Messiah, meets a violent (crowds still wanting more as he leaves the stage.
In the third part of the song, he talks about his garden, which to me is his home, and when he finally gets off the road, it's not as relaxing as he thought, because he doesn't recognize that "heaven is lying at" his feet (the crowds below him during performances).
Finally, the contradictions are the pull between his love for music and the road and his need to be still. His world is torn and shaken no matter where he is, and his heart breaks for both venues. He realizes that, no matter whether he's playing or home, he'll never learn to be still.
That's my take. Only because I've heard his interviews, and he speaks of this dilemma of road vs. home.
I think the Eagles are one of the Greatest classic bands around. My dad got me into them actually, and I think they're pretty cool.
brilliant.
This is my favorite Eagles song-- as far as I get it.. it's about someone who is never satisfied with her own surroundings, no matter how good the conditions may be-- someone who is never satisfied. Reminds me of myself, actually.