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.
(Jet, Jet)
(Jet) I can almost remember their funny faces
That time you told them you were going to marrying soon
And Jet I thought the only lonely place was on the moon
(Jet, Jet)
Jet was your father as bold as the sergeant major
How come he told you that you were hardly old enough yet
And Jet I thought the major was a lady suffragette
(Jet, Jet)
Ah mater want Jet to always love me
Ah mater want Jet to always love me
Ah mater, much later
(Jet)
And Jet I thought the major was a lady suffragette
(Jet, Jet)
Ah mater want Jet to always love me
Ah mater want Jet to always love me
Ah mater, much later
Jet with the wind in your hair
Of a thousand laces
Climb on the back and we'll go for a ride in the sky
And Jet I thought that the major was a little lady suffragette
(Jet, Jet)
And Jet you know I thought you was a little lady suffragette
(Jet)
A little lady
My little lady, yes
(Jet) I can almost remember their funny faces
That time you told them you were going to marrying soon
And Jet I thought the only lonely place was on the moon
(Jet, Jet)
Jet was your father as bold as the sergeant major
How come he told you that you were hardly old enough yet
And Jet I thought the major was a lady suffragette
(Jet, Jet)
Ah mater want Jet to always love me
Ah mater want Jet to always love me
Ah mater, much later
(Jet)
And Jet I thought the major was a lady suffragette
(Jet, Jet)
Ah mater want Jet to always love me
Ah mater want Jet to always love me
Ah mater, much later
Jet with the wind in your hair
Of a thousand laces
Climb on the back and we'll go for a ride in the sky
And Jet I thought that the major was a little lady suffragette
(Jet, Jet)
And Jet you know I thought you was a little lady suffragette
(Jet)
A little lady
My little lady, yes
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Light Up The Sky
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
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."
"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."
I Can't Go To Sleep
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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.
When We Were Young
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This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
To echo another poster, I'm sure this song is about John, and losing him to Yoko. Maybe not consciously, but even just that hard "J" sound at the beginning must've been a reminder to Paul of the millions of times he called John's name. But not just that...
Jet I can almost remember their funny faces That time you told them you were going to marrying soon And Jet I thought the only lonely place was the moon
[How it freaked EVERYONE out that John was with Yoko, and going to marry her soon. Paul never knew real lonliness until John left him/the Beatles]
Jet was your father as bold as the sergeant major How come he told you that you were hardly old enough yet And Jet I thought the major was a lady suffragette
[John's dad was a merchant seaman - but he was nowhere near as bold as a sergeant major... & in this song the Major is a "lady suffragette - i.e. a feminist, a liberated woman - Yoko]
Ah Mater want Jet to always love me Ah Mater want Jet to always love me Ah Mater, much later
[Both John and Paul lost their mothers (maters)... they bonded on that in their early days, and Paul wanted John to love him always - but now it's later]
And Jet I thought the major was a lady suffragette
[John, Yoko is a feminist]
Jet with the wind in your hair Of a thousand laces Climb on the back and we'll go for a ride in the sky
[if the Beatles got back together/if we performed together again/if you loved me again, we would be free, and it would be beautiful]
@dostoyb - I agree with you one hundred percent. To make it even more clear? Mater was the nickname of John's aunt who<br /> gave him 100 pounds for his 21st birthday. John used the money to take himself and Paul on a trip to<br /> Paris, a trip they remembered lovingly for years afterward. I know people are sooo hung up on sexual orientation, but from everything I've read, there was love between John and Paul waay beyond the "we're good mates" level. There were documented jealous hissy fits on both their parts aimed at the other's female partners and wives. You tell me! The two may well not have acted on their feelings given the times. But deep emotional intimacy seems clearly to have been there. Jet seems to be all about the painful severing of that bond, its meaning hiding in plain sight.
@dostoyb
@dostoyb AGREED!
@dostoyb Wow! I really enjoyed your thoughts and insight regarding this song. And, I believe you may be correct! I never thought of it that way. Thank you! <br /> I love this song, I love Paul, I love The Beatles....<br /> I've been listening to Sirius XM Channel 18 "The Beatles Channel" for the past 3mo since I subscribed and I cant even begin to tell how much I've learned that I NEVER knew! About The Beatles, the people who made up and brought us The Beatles as well as aspects about their lives and beliefs that most of us never heard of. Sir Paul continues to delight the world with his music to this very day! Thank you for your insight and thank you Sir Paul for ALL of your GREAT CONTRIBUTIONS!!<br /> Oh yeah, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY Sir Paul McCartney!
isn't he saying "ah mater"? as in the british variation of mother? that's what it sounds like and it would make more sense.
@glamorous*sunrise mater is also 'mother' in ancient greek ;) maybe the most ancient type, "μάτερ" (also 'μήτερ', 'μήτηρ' and 'μητέρα' in modern greek)
"Suffragette" is a nod to David Bowie's "Suffragette City" a year earlier.
"Mater" is latin for mother. Basically, he's saying "Mom, I want Jet to always love me." Huh, I didn't know Jet was his dog...ya' learn something new everyday.
And Jet... All these years I assumed he was singing And yet... and it was a play on words. Some English speakers say “and yet” so it sounds a bit like “andjyet”. But I guess I was wrong anyway.
@lyn50 It's called a liaison. Like when "Did you?" comes out as "Didja?"
This song has never made any sense to me, but once you hear it live, you have to love it.
the songs about pauls dog, but also makes references to david bowie. "And Jet, I Thought The Major Was A Lady Suffragette." that part refers to Paul thinking david bowie looked like a girl, then saying suffragette as in bowies popular song "suffragette city". David bowie made a song back saying something about "Put back on your red sciffle shoes or something making fun of pauls music. theres also some background vocals in Bowies song that sound alot like john lennon, which could be since they were good friends. John sings on Bowies "Fame" which he is credited then hes uncredited on "Chanes" and a few more.
A couple fixes here in the lyrics: "Matter" should indeed be changed to "Mater" (meaning 'Mother') and "with the wind in your hair of a thousand laces" should be "with the wind in your hair of a thousand mesas," meaning that Jet is a big traveler.
Mesas?! Yes! Thank you, that makes so much more sense!!!!
i always thought that this song was about a girl that he couldnt keep up with, and he had assumed that she loved him, when really she was too immature to have a real relationship, and ends up leaving him alone. maybe? regardless of meaning, this song is awesome.
I always heard it as "I thought the only lonely FACE was on the moon"