The Smiths – There is a light that never goes out (album: The Queen is dead 1986)

This song is by The Smiths. I love this band so much!!!They are the pioneers of the alternative rock music. A lot of British alternative bands such as Blur, Oasis and Suede were influenced by them. They have a lot of great songs with wonderful deep lyrics and music. My hubby always makes fun of Morrissey’s voice. I think he’s awesome!!!

This is one of my favourite Smiths songs. It’s about that really happy moment in your life that you wish it would never end, a moment when you have the most genuine smile on your face...makes me think about my first date with my hubby, I’ll give everything to relive that night. Check out this magical song

Link to the song: There is a Light That Never Goes Out The Smiths

Lyrics: There Is a Light That Never Goes Out Lyrics

 

What’s this song about?

Allmusic's Tim DiGravina argues that while depressed characters were a regular feature in Morrissey's work, his lyrics on "There Is a Light" "ups the sad-and-doomed quotient by leaps and bounds." Goddard argues in his book Songs That Saved Your Life that the basic narrative story is similar to that of the James Dean film Rebel Without a Cause, in which Dean—an idol of Morrissey's—leaves his torturous home life, being the passenger to a potential romantic partner. According to Goddard, an earlier version lacked some of the finished version's ambiguity, culminating in the line "There is a light in your eyes and it never goes out". (Wikipedia – There is a light that never goes out)

Info about the band: Wikipedia - The Smiths

The Doors – Peace Frog (album: Morrison Hotel 1970)

This next song is by The Doors. I was first introduced to the band by my Sister. Back when I was a teenager I wished I was in the 60’s – 70’s period so I could experience this amazing era of music, love, fashion and parties. I’ve prepared a memorial corner on one of my room shelves just for Jim Morrison. A few years later, my parents surprised my sister and I with a trip to Paris, of course we all went to Jim’s grave just to say hello. I was stoked!!!

This is one of my favourite songs ;)

Link to the song: Peace Frog The Doors

Lyrics: Peace Frog Lyrics

Video about the arrest of Jim Morrison back in 1969:

What’s this song about?

The line "Indians scattered on dawn's highway bleeding/Ghosts crowd the young child's fragile eggshell mind" originates from his poem, "Newborn Awakening" (and it also appears at the end of "Ghost Song"). The line is born out of "Dawn's Highway", a poem in which Jim describes an event that occurred when he was young. As Morrison described it in An American Prayer:

“

Me and my — mother and father — and a grandmother and a grandfather — were driving through the desert, at dawn, and a truck load of Indian workers had either hit another car, or just — I don't know what happened — but there were Indians scattered all over the highway, bleeding to death."  "So the car pulls up and stops. That was the first time I tasted fear. I musta' been about four — like a child is like a flower, his head is floating in the breeze, man.

”

The line "Blood in the streets in the town of New Haven" likely refers to Morrison's December 9, 1967 arrest at the New Haven Arena during a concert. After an altercation with a police officer backstage, Morrison made the incident known to the concert audience, and was arrested for attempting to incite a riot. A similar line about Chicago probably refers to the conflict surrounding the 1968 Democratic National Convention. (Wikipedia – Peace Frog)

Info about the band: Wikipedia - The Doors

Guns n’ Roses – Sweet Child of Mine (album: Appetite for Destruction 1988)

This next song is by Guns n’ Roses, my first heavy metal band. They were a big hit among my friends back when I was a teenager. I bought all their cassettes/CD, hanged all their flags and posters. My room was covered with Guns. 20 years after I still think they were awesome and I don’t regret ruining my walls for them.

I think this is by far their best song. I never get sick of listening to it ;) “She’s got smile that it seems to me, Reminds me of childhood memories where everything was as fresh as the bright blue sky...” wonderful lyrics!

Link to the song: Sweet Child of Mine Guns n' Roses

Lyrics: Sweet Child of Mine Lyrics

What’s this song about?

In an interview with Hit Parader magazine in 1988, bassist Duff McKagan noted:

The thing about 'Sweet Child o mine,' it was written in five minutes. It was one of those songs, only three chords. You know that guitar lick Slash does at the beginning? It was kinda like a joke because we thought, 'What is this song? It's gonna be nothing, it'll be filler on the record.' And except that vocal-wise, it's very sweet and sincere, Slash was just messing around when he first wrote that lick”(Wikipedia – Sweet child of mine)

Info about the band: Wikipedia - Guns N' Roses

Temple of the Dog – Hunger Strike (album: temple of the dog 1991)

Now back to the grunge again... This next song is by Temple of The Dog a band that was formed in 1990 as a tribute for the late Andrew Wood the lead singer of “Mother Love Bone” .Many of Seattle best musicians such as Eddie Vedder and Chris Cornell took part of this project. This is my favourite song from this album, Chris & Eddie the two rock legends singing together, is there anything better than that?!?

This is a protest song written by Chris Cornell against rich people exploitation of the poor and helpless. Good on you Chris!!!

Check out this awesome song...

Link to the song: Hunger Strike Temple of the Dog

Lyrics: Hunger Strike Lyrics

What’s this song about?

"Hunger Strike" was written by vocalist Chris Cornell. It features a duet between Cornell and vocalist Eddie Vedder. Cornell was having trouble with the vocals at practice, when Vedder stepped in. Cornell later said "he sang half of that song not even knowing that I'd wanted the part to be there and he sang it exactly the way I was thinking about doing it, just instinctively.”
Cornell stated that the lyrics for "Hunger Strike" express "somewhat of a political, socialist statement." The song puts forth the theme of stealing bread to give to the poor and protesting in solidarity with them via a hunger strike after witnessing injustice in food distribution. (Wikipedia – Hunger Strike)

Info about the band: Wikipedia - Temple of the Dog

Green Day – Welcome to Paradise (album: Dookie 1994)

This next song is by Green Day. Their album Dookie was quite a success back in the 90’s and what made them so famous today. It was the first time I listened to a good American band that combines rock and punk all in one package. What a breakthrough!!! My Hubby and I went to their concert 5 years ago and it was an awesome experience.

This song brings back memories of the first time I’ve left my parents house, I’ve cried a lot, missed my mum and her cooking and the way she took care of me when I was sick. At the beginning I use to call my mum all the time and complain .after a few months I got use to living on my own. I lived in quite dumps but who cares wins when it’s yours ;)  This song is for all those youngsters out there who struggle without their mum...

Link to the song: Welcome to Paradise Green Day

Lyrics: Welcome to Paradise Lyrics

.

What’s this song about?

The song was written by Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool. It is based on the band's experience moving out of their parents' houses and into an abandoned house in Oakland, California where the band members, along with several others, lived without paying rent. The house was quite broken-down but to them it became home, and this sentiment is described in the song.
Billie Joe Armstrong said this of the song:

It's about West Oakland, living in a warehouse with a lot of people, a bunch of artists and musicians, punks and whatever just lived all up and down, bums and junkies and thugs and gang members and stuff that just lived in that area. It's no place you want to walk around at night, but it's a neat warehouse where you can play basketball and stuff. (Wikipedia – Welcome to Paradise)

Band’s Official Website: Green Day

Info about the band: Wikipedia - Green Day

Birds of Tokyo – Wild at Heart (album: Birds of Tokyo 2010)

This next song is by the Aussie band Birds of Tokyo. Apart from having a really cool band name they are really good. This is my favourite song for sure .Awesome lyrics & music!!!

That’s my favourite line : “We were lead to believe that the language of love was god”... The song is for all unnecessary religion and power wars everywhere and us innocent people that pay the price and carry the scars forever. Speaking of stupid fights, I hope Russia will recover from yesterday’s traumatic terror attack.

I guess I thought it’s a great song for Australia Day so I hope you enjoy it and have a Happy Australia Day ;)

Link to the song: Wild at Heart Birds of Tokyo

 

Lyrics: Wild at Heart Lyrics



Band’s Official Website: Birds of Tokyo

Info about the band: Wikipedia - Birds of Tokyo

Children Collide – Jellylegs (album: Theory of everything 2010)

This song is by Children Collide, another cool Aussie band. My hubby introduced them to me. He likes this song very much. The beginning of the song reminds me of “Lovesong” by The Cure. Anyway, they are a young group that have a few more songs that worth listening to, I’ll make sure to add a few more songs later on. Warning – The video clip is quite disgusting!

Link to the song: Jellylegs Children Collide

Lyrics: Jellylegs Lyrics

What’s this song about?

I have no idea, couldn’t find it on the web. Who cares, it’s a nice song.

Band’s official website: Children Collide

Info about the band: Wikipedia - Children Collide

Led Zeppelin – Thank you (album: Led Zeppelin II 1969)

This next song is by Led Zeppelin, my favourite band of all times. Back when I was 16 years old I’ve collected everything that I could get my hands on, went twice to see “Physical Graffiti‘s“(cover band) concert. I even took one of my sister’s best records behind her back and traded it with an original Led Zeppelin record. It’s a great opportunity to apologize to her for that, sorry sis it was for a good cause plus this record probably worth millions today, I promise to share the money with you if I ever decide to sell it ;)

This is their greatest love song: “if the sun refused to shine, I will still be loving you. When mountains crumble to the sea, there will still be you and me...”

Link to the song: Thank You Led Zeppelin

Lyrics: Thank You Lyrics

Chris Cornell Live Cover:

What’s this song about?

"Thank You" signaled a deeper involvement in songwriting by singer Robert Plant, being the first Led Zeppelin song that he wrote all the lyrics for. According to various Led Zeppelin biographies, this is also the song that made Jimmy Page realize that Plant could now handle writing the majority of the lyrics for the band's songs. Plant wrote the song as a tribute to his then-wife Maureen. (Wikipedia – Thank You)

Info about the band: Wikipedia - Led Zeppelin

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