Song Meaning, Background: Something From Nothing by Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters recently released their latest album, Sonic Highways. Concept for the creation of this album was quite different to the approach bands usually undertake in producing albums, that is, bands usually go to the a studio, write song, mix the album and produce it. Foo Fighters did all that, and a few more -- they went to a few different cities to study the uniqueness of music that belong to the city.

"Something From Nothing" was recorded in the city of Chicago. If you know anything about American blues, you know that Chicago has deep roots in blues and rock & roll. As Dave Ghrol pointed out in an interview, the major influence for this song was Buddy Guy, the legendary blues musician from Chicago.

Song Meaning, Analysis, Background: The God That Failed by Metallica

If you're a Metallica fan you know that James and Lars are very potent in staying away from divisive themes like politics and religion ( and climate change lol ). When asked James explained their less punk-like songs by stating that he liked to reach out to people's common emotions that went beyond personal pity personal stuff.

"The God That Failed" is an exception to this unwritten rule. James Hetfield comes out swinging saying that the Biblical God is a failure -- and I agree. Well, in fact I disagree, because how can one fail if he doesn't even exit? Nevertheless the most interesting part is the back story to this song because it's about the death of James' mom.

When he was a kid, James was raised as a christian scientist ( I know it's weird... it sounds like oil and water, or a gay republican ).  What that means is that the Hetfield household didn't believe in science or rational reasoning, or what many interpreted science, logic and reasoning to be. That included their ignorance of modern medicine, because papa and mamma Hetfield believed that God would cure them in the event of a disease.

Then there came a time see the validity of this claim --  James' mom was battling cancer. However none of the fiends of family did anything to help her besides praying to the invisible man in the sky that didn't exist. So she died... and James was absolutely pissed. His dad had already the family a few years prior the mom's death so James is now without a parent.

That's how James' life story turned into lyrics in "The God That Failed." The song is not anti-religious in anyway. In fact James still identifies himself has a christian ( he's got a tattoo of God giving him the gift of music ), but surely not a christian scientist.

I also did an analysis of The Unforgiven, which has somewhat of a parallel meaning to this song. You guys can check that out; it's also got a video in which you can see the early days of James growing up with his family.

Song Meaning and Analysis: Summer of 69 by Bryan Adams

Summer of 69 is one of Bryan Adams' signature tunes, and it's one of my favorite rock songs. As for meaning of the song, it's very straightforward - Bryan is looking back on his teenage years and early days of his high school band.

Song Meaning, Background and Analysis: Welcome to Paradise by Green Day

Welcome to Paradise is about Billie Joel Armstrong's memoir his mom after leaving her home for the first time to live own his own. According to Wikipedia (it's a got nice article on this song; you should read it as well) Billie went onto live with his fellow bandmates, as well as a bunch of other slackers.

Song Meaning: Basket Case by Green Day

All I know about Basket Case is that this can be attributed to bringing punk rock into the 90s. That's I all I can make of it. However I'll say this: basket case usually means someone being an outcast because he's, you know, not cool. So I think that's what this song is about - it's about an uncool kid on the block.

Lyrics: 

Do you have the time
To listen to me whine
About nothing and everything
All at once
I am one of those
Melodramatic fools
Neurotic to the bone
No doubt about it

Sometimes I give myself the creeps
Sometimes my mind plays tricks on me
It all keeps adding up
I think I'm cracking up
Am I just paranoid?
Am I just stoned?

I went to a shrink
To analyze my dreams
She says it's lack of sex
That's bringing me down
I went to a whore
He said my life's a bore
So quit my whining cause
It's bringing her down

Sometimes I give myself the creeps
Sometimes my mind plays tricks on me
It all keeps adding up
I think I'm cracking up
Am I just paranoid?
Uh, yuh, yuh, ya

Grasping to control
So I better hold on

Sometimes I give myself the creeps
Sometimes my mind plays tricks on me
It all keeps adding up
I think I'm cracking up
Am I just paranoid?
Am I just stoned?

Song Meaning and Analysis: Just Close Your Eyes by Waterproof Blonde

Story of the Year did a cover of Just Close Your Eyes. Song was originally by Waterproof Blonde

The song was originally recorded by Waterproof Blonde. According to Google they were active for only three years, from 2002 to 2005. "Just Close Your Eyes" was released in 2004, and it was made popular as result of WWE wrestler Christian using it as his entrance song. Few years later, in 2009 another band by the name of Story of the Year did a cover of the song, and it took the place of Christian's previous entrance song.