Can't Come Down
Mark Lanegan Lyrics
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Never did I give a damn for gold
Tell me little doll, talk some sweet nothing
A river runs deep and cold
Don't know why but it keeps running
Don't know why I can't come down
Moses has stood on the mountain
Devil made it thunder and rain
No I ain't afraid of some pain
Watchin' little doll she just come runnin'
Running straight away
Straight to me I got sweet nothing
And only myself to blame
I don't know why I just keep running
Don't know why I can't come down
Walk, don't you walk on me
Don't you step don't you step on me
Don't you walk don't walk on me
Don't you step on me
Don't have no thing for money
Got no jones for gold
All I got today is some sweet nothing
Nothing to take away
Don't know why I just keep running
Don't know why I can't come down
Don't know why - somebody
Somebody hears today
Don't know why, sweet nothing
Nothing to take away
No I ain't afraid of temptation
No ain't afraid of some pain
No ain't afraid of some pain
Somebody, somebody
Somebody, can't come down
Somebody, can't come down
Can't come down
Somebody, can't come down
Can't come down
The lyrics to Mark Lanegan's song "Can't Come Down" seem to explore the singer's disinterest in material possessions and his yearning for something deeper. He confesses that he has never cared for money or gold, but he is curious about the intangible things that cannot be measured, such as the river that runs deep and cold. He does not know why he is unable to "come down," suggesting that he may be trapped in his own thoughts and desires. In the second verse, the singer mentions Moses standing on the mountain and the devil making it thunder and rain, portraying the dichotomy of good and evil. However, the singer seems to embrace temptation and pain, declaring that he is not afraid of them. He watches a "little doll" who runs straight to him for "sweet nothing," implying that he has nothing tangible to offer but is still sought after. The refrain repeats the phrase, "Don't know why I can't come down," perhaps conveying the singer's confusion and dissatisfaction with his current state.
Overall, the lyrics of "Can't Come Down" suggest a longing for something more meaningful than material possessions and a willingness to embrace the unknown and possibly painful. The imagery of the river, the mountain, and the devil all add to the song's sense of contrast between the tangible and intangible, good and evil.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't give a damn for money
I have never cared about accumulating wealth.
Never did I give a damn for gold
I have never placed any value on owning gold or other precious metals.
Tell me little doll, talk some sweet nothing
Let's engage in some playful and flirtatious conversation.
A river runs deep and cold
This situation feels heavy and serious.
Don't know why but it keeps running
I can't explain why this situation continues to persist.
Don't know why I can't come down
I feel trapped and unable to escape this circumstance.
Moses has stood on the mountain
This situation carries historical and cultural significance, much like Moses' experience in the Bible.
Devil made it thunder and rain
This situation feels like it could be an act of spiritual or otherworldly forces.
Girl I ain't afraid of temptation
I am not hesitant to indulge in pleasure, even if it may be considered morally questionable.
No I ain't afraid of some pain
I am willing to endure discomfort or suffering to pursue what I desire.
Watchin' little doll she just come runnin'
I observe a woman approaching me with eagerness and excitement.
Running straight away
She approaches me directly and with purpose.
Straight to me I got sweet nothing
I have nothing to offer her besides empty words and flattery.
And only myself to blame
I acknowledge that any negative consequences that may arise from this interaction will be my responsibility to bear.
Don't have no thing for money
I do not have any desire to accumulate wealth.
Got no jones for gold
I do not crave or value gold or other precious metals.
All I got today is some sweet nothing
The only thing I have to offer today is meaningless compliments or flattery.
Nothing to take away
There is no substance or value to what I am offering.
Don't know why - somebody
I am unsure why somebody can't find resolution or escape from this circumstance.
Somebody, can't come down
Somebody is stuck or trapped in their current situation.
Can't come down
This person cannot escape their circumstances or find peace.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MARK LANEGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind