The Cure – just like Heaven (album: kiss me kiss me kiss me 1987)

This song is by the cure. My love for the cure started when I was about 12 years old. There was a music TV show that presented bands and showed a few of their video clips, it was a one hour show dedicated to a band. when the cure was on, my brother recorded it. I couldn’t stop watching this tape. I remember thinking that Robert Smith was the coolest guy ever. His voice, hair, make-up, shoes and of course music, I’ve absorbed everything! Thanks to him I don’t mind spiders at all... I still think he is one of the coolest guys alive.

This song is one of their most magical songs! Quite a masterpiece.

Link to the song: Just Like Heaven The Cure

Lyrics: Just Like Heaven Lyrics

What’s this song about?According to Smith, "The song is about hyperventilating—kissing and fainting to the floor." The lyrics were inspired by a trip with his then-girlfriend (and later wife) Mary Poole to Beachy Head in southern England. Smith said the opening line of the song ("Show me, show me, show me how you do that trick") refers to his childhood memories of mastering magic tricks, but added "on another [level], it's about a seduction trick, from much later in my life”(Wikipedia – Just Like Heaven)

Goldfinger punk cover version:


Band’s Official Website: The Cure
Info about the band: Wikipedia - The Cure

Powderfinger – My Kind of Scene (album: Odyssey Number Five 2000)

This is a song by my favourite Aussie band Powderfinger. My Husband introduces them to me when he came back from his first visit in Australia. I was amazed by them and couldn’t stop listening to their songs. A few years later my husband and I went to see their concert in Sydney and they were even better in live performance. They remind me of Led Zeppelin, they have this good old 70’s rock style although in my opinion Bernard Fanning is a better vocalist than Robert Plant.

I use to listen to this song on my way to work on the train, made me think about my 9 to 5 dead end job and where it is leading me, pure frustration!!! Although once I got to the office I would forget all about it until the next day on the train... 

Link to the song: My Kind of Scene Powderfinger

Lyrics: My Kind of Scene Lyrics

Band’s Official Website: Powderfinger

Info about the band: Wikipedia - Powderfinger

Peter Murphy – Cuts you up (album: Deep 1990)

This song is by Peter Murphy who was the frontman of the Bauhaus. I love this song so much. It’s a great song and it’s very addictive. My sister bought the CD back in the 90’s and of course it ended up in my room and stayed there for awhile...I think he Rocks!!!

I’ve searched the web for the meaning of this song but all I could find is theories about drugs, I believe Peter Murphy is much deeper than that. The way I see it, this song talks about love and passion and finding the secret to maintain it: “You lift me up and get me out, keep me walking but never shout, hold the secret close I hear you say...” I’m pretty sure my theory is correct ;)

Link to the song: Cuts you up Peter Murphy

Lyrics: Cuts you up Lyrics

Interview with Peter Murphy that I enjoyed watching, he is such a charismatic dude:

Peter Murphy’s Official Website: http://www.petermurphy.info/

Info about Peter Murphy: Wikipedia - Peter Murphy

Nirvana – Smells like Teen Spirit (album: Nevermind 1991)

This is a classic song by Nirvana. I never get tired of it. Nirvana is another Seattle Grunge band that had a short career due to the shocking death of their lead singer Kurt Cobain.

The album “Nevermind “was a huge hit back in the 90’s and features many awesome songs.

I personally can’t understand a word Kurt is saying in most of their songs and neither does Weird’s Al Yankovic so I’ve added his version to this song, suddenly the lyrics make sense to me. BTW, Kurt Cobain was very impressed of this version as well (see notes below).

Link to the song: Smells Like Teen Spirit Nirvana

Lyrics: Smells Like Teen Spirit Lyrics

And now for the Weird Al Yankovic version:



Yankovic stated that when he called Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain to ask if he could parody the song, Cobain gave him permission, then paused and asked, "Um... it's not gonna be about food, is it?" Yankovic responded with, "No, it'll be about how no one can understand your lyrics." According to members of Nirvana interviewed for Behind the Music, when they saw the video of the song, they laughed hysterically. Additionally, Cobain described Yankovic as "a musical genius." ⁽Weird Al Yankovic - Wikipedia)

What’s this song about?

In a January 1994 Rolling Stone interview, Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain revealed that "Smells like Teen Spirit" was an attempt to write a song in the style of the Pixies, a band he greatly admired. He explained:

“I was trying to write the ultimate pop song. I was basically trying to rip off the pixies. I have to admit it. When I heard the Pixies for the first time, I connected with that band so heavily that I should have been in that band – or at least Pixies cover band. We used their sense of dynamics, being soft and quiet and then loud and hard.” (Wikipedia – Smell like Teen Spirits)

Info about the band: Wikipedia - Nirvana

Slash – Promise (album: Slash 2010)

This is a song from Slash’s solo album. It is a wonderful album that features so many other musicians including four former Guns N’ Roses band members ,Chris Cornell, Adam Levine, Aussie Osborne, Andrew Stockdale and many more. The song that I’ve chosen is sung by Chris Cornell.

This song speaks to me personally since It is one of my life’s Mottos .I have always promised myself that if anyone that I meet on my way will try to put me down from any sort of reason, if it’s someone at work or even a friend I will never let them get to me and put out my fire I’ll always do everything in my power to keep the flame burning as long as I live! So far it never failed me ;) check out this awesome song...

Link to the song: Promise Slash

Lyrics: Promise Lyrics

What’s this song about?

Chris Cornell wrote the song “Promise”, in interview to the “Classic Rock” Magazine he was quoted saying the following:

“It’s a song that you would write to either a young friend or one of your children, giving them advice of “don’t let the world get you down because it’s going to try” it’s the nature of youth to have a rosy outlook and feel like you’re going to be able to charge through life with a machete and make your own way. But the reality is that a lot of unexpected things are going to crash on you, and the song deals with it.”

Slash’s Official Website: Slash

Info about Slash: Wikipedia - Slash

Smashing Pumpkins – Disarm (album: Siamese Dream 1993)

This song is by Smashing Pumpkins. It is a great album and such a wonderful song with bells and violins playing in the background, it is so magical!!!  

To be honest, I can’t really understand the lyrics of this song, what the hell did Billy Corgan mean when he wrote the following line: “The killer in me is the killer in you...”? Was it talking about his hair? After all it was last period he was seen with hair on his head! Other than that, the music is awesome and that’s the most important thing .Overall it was a great era for the smashing pumpkins .Check it out...

Lyrics: Disarm Lyrics

Live version:

Frank Bennett (Australian Jazz singer) Version:

Disarm Frank Bennett

What’s this song about?

The BBC banned the song from appearing on Top of the Pops, because of the lyric "cut that little child", and it received little radio airplay in the United Kingdom. That lyric along with lyrics like "what I choose is my choice" and "the killer in me is the killer in you" has also led to some controversy, as some read it as implying that abortion is murder. Corgan, however, has clearly asserted that the song is about the shaky relationship he had with his parents while growing up. (Wikipedia – Disarm)

Band’s Official Website: Smashing Pupmkins

Info about the band: Wikipedia - Smashing Pumpkins

Eddie Vedder - No Ceiling (album: into the wild 2007)

This next song is from the soundtrack “into the wild”. It is Eddie Vedder’s first solo album. The movie is based on the true story of Christopher McCandless a 23 years old American man who decided to leave everything behind and go on a journey into the Alaskan wilderness and live by his own just him and Mother Nature in a search of a meaning to his life.  Since he hasn’t taken any essential survival equipment nor had any experience this adventure cost him his life. On his last moments he has come to the conclusion that the thing he misses the most is civilization, basically everything that he was trying to avoid during his journey. A very profound conclusion but unfortunately it was too late for Chris as he passed away straight after. All the songs in this movie are sung by Eddie Vedder. Throughout the entire movie each song describes the situation Chris is facing during his adventure. I was very moved by this movie. It reminded me how much it is important to be surrounded by people who love you and to love them back as much as you can – this is the true meaning of life.

This is my favourite song from this album.

Link to the song: No Ceiling Eddie Vedder

Lyrics: No Ceiling Lyrics

About “into the wild” soundtrack:

Vedder's songs help narrate the story of American wanderer Christopher McCandless. After graduating as a top student from Emory University, and after a foray into the Western United States and Mexico, McCandless decided to give up all of his savings and money and hitchhike to Alaska to live in the wilderness with little food and equipment, hoping to live a period of solitude. Nearly five months later, he died of starvation near Denali National Park and Preserve. Vedder said that he "realized the songs could now become another tool in the storytelling."^[On writing the songs about McCandless, Vedder stated, "It was startling how easy it was for me to get into his head. I found it to be uncomfortable how easy it was, because I thought I'd grown up." (Wikipedia - Into the wild)

Info about Christopher McCandless : Wikipedia - Christopher McCandless

Info about Eddie Vedder: Wikipedia - Eddie Vedder

Pearl Jam – Even Flow (album: Ten 1991)

This next song is by Pearl Jam. As part of my obsession for Grunge bands during the 90’s I did a lot of research on Pearl Jam. I even made a shrine for Eddie Vedder and thought he was the god’s gift to all humanity, especially women!!! I love his voice so much!!! In other words, I have a lot of respect for this band. 4 years ago we went to see their concert in Sydney, I was very disappointed,  it was a very bad show. The following day Pearl Jam released an apology and explanation to the press , they have also promised to give a better show on their next gig ,I've heard they kept their promise and gave a wonderful show the night after.

Anyway check out this old and wonderful song...

Link to the song: Even Flow Pearl Jam

Lyrics: Even Flow Lyrics

And now for the misheard lyrics version of another song (Yellow Ledbetter), so funny:

What’s this song about?

The stark lyrics by Vedder for "Even Flow" describe the experience of being a homeless man.The subject sleeps "on a pillow made of concrete" and pan handles passersby for spare change. In addition to being illiterate, he may also be mentally ill, as he "looks insane" when he smiles and struggles to keep coherent thoughts ("Even flow, thoughts arrive like butterflies/Oh, he don't know, so he chases them away").
At Pearl Jam's March 28, 1994 concert in Miami, Florida at the Bayfront Amphitheater, Vedder introduced the song by saying, "I thought I'd throw in a bit of street education while you still have an open mind...Right across the street there's a little homeless community that lives under the bridge. You should just know that those people ain't all crazy and sometimes it's not their fault. This song is called 'Even Flow'." (Wikipedia – Even Flow)

Info about the band: Wikipedia - Pearl Jam

Radiohead – Street Spirit (album: The Bends 1995)

This song is by Radiohead. It is a very sentimental song for me since at the beginning of my relationship with my husband he came over to my house for a visit, on his way back in his car he accidently dialed my mobile number. I said “Hello” a few times but my hubby couldn’t hear me since he was too busy singing along this song that was playing very loud on the background. From that moment on I knew that he was the one for me...

Link to the song: Street Spirit Radiohead

Video clip:

Lyrics: Street Spirit Lyrics

And now for “The Darkness” Cover version:

What’s this song about?

Lead singer Thom Yorke said,
'Street Spirit' is our purest song, but I didn't write it. It wrote itself. We were just its messengers; its biological catalysts. Its core is a complete mystery to me, and, you know, I wouldn't ever try to write something that hopeless. All of our saddest songs have somewhere in them at least a glimmer of resolve. 'Street Spirit' has no resolve. It is the dark tunnel without the light at the end. It represents all tragic emotion that is so hurtful that the sound of that melody is its only definition. We all have a way of dealing with that song. It's called detachment. Especially me; I detach my emotional radar from that song, or I couldn't play it. I'd crack. I'd break down on stage. That's why its lyrics are just a bunch of mini-stories or visual images as opposed to a cohesive explanation of its meaning. I used images set to the music that I thought would convey the emotional entirety of the lyric and music working together. That's what's meant by 'all these things you'll one day swallow whole'. I meant the emotional entirety, because I didn't have it in me to articulate the emotion. I'd crack...(Wikipedia – Street Spirit)

Band’s Official Website: Radiohead

Info about the band: Wikipedia - Radiohead

 

Midnight Oil – Beds are burning (album: Diesel and Dust 1987)

This song is by midnight oil. It is an awesome song but that’s not the only reason I’m putting it on my blog! Peter Garrett’s dancing is just unbelievably funny and I believe everyone should be exposed to it ;)

Link to the song: Beds are Burning Midnight Oil

Hilarious video clip:

Lyrics: Beds are Burning Lyrics

Collection of Peter’s dancing:

What’s this song about?

"Beds Are Burning" is a political song about giving native Australian lands back to the Pintupi, who were among the very last people to come in from the desert. These 'last contact' people began moving from the Gibson Desert to settlements and missions in the 1930s. More were forcibly moved during the 1950s and 1960s to the Papunya settlement. In 1981 they left to return to their own country and established the Kintore community which is nestled in the picturesque Kintore Ranges, surrounded by Mulga and Spinifex country. It is now a thriving little community with a population of about 400. (Kintore and the town of Yuendumu are mentioned by name in the lyrics.)
Midnight Oil performed the song in front of a world audience of billions at the closing ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The whole bandwere dressed in black, with the word "Sorry" printed conspicuously on their clothes. (Wikipedia – beds are burning)

Band’s Official Website: Midnight Oil

Info about the band: Wikipedia - Midnight Oil