Astrovan by Mt. Joy Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Spiritual Journey in Song
Lyrics
Moon still glowing
And here comes Jesus in an Astrovan rolling down the strip again
He’s stoned while Jerry plays
Life ain’t ever what it seems
These dreams are more than paper things
And it’s alright mama you’re afraid
I’ll be poor along the way
I don’t wanna see those tears again
You know, Jesus drives an Astrovan
Yes, he does (I say woo)
And in my heart there’s a holy ghost writhing on the floor from an overdose
You know the best ones never come down
So if I love at the tip of my toes reaching out for the great unknown
Every addict has illusions
Life ain’t ever what it seems
These dreams are more than paper things
And it’s alright mama you’re afraid
I’ll be here along the way
I don’t wanna see those tears again
You know Jesus drives an Astrovan
Yes, he does (I say: whoo)
And when I see those angels on the roof
I know I’ve made it when my
Doobie smoking Jesus puts my name up on his guest list
He said son you’re famous in heaven
Maybe you’re famous in heaven
Maybe there is no heaven
Maybe we’re all along together now
But I don’t wanna see those tears again
You know Jesus drives an Astrovan
I don’t wanna see those tears again
You know Jesus drives an Astrovan
The indie folk-rock realm is often sprinkled with lyrical gems that paint vivid imagery and evoke deep emotional responses. Mt. Joy’s ‘Astrovan,’ a track that deftly weaves spirituality and earthly struggles into a melodic tapestry, is one such gem. On the surface, it’s a song about contradictions and finding solace in unusual places, yet delving deeper reveals layers of philosophy, rebellion, and the perennial search for meaning.
The imagery of celestial beings mingling with the mundane, the metaphor of Jesus in a pedestrian Astrovan, and the grappling with existence and addiction all serve as threads in this rich lyrical fabric. The song invites listeners to contemplate the juxtaposition of the sacred and profane, the ideal and the real, the dreams and fears that define the human experience.
Celestial Beings in the Concrete Jungle: A Dichotomy Explored
The opening lines of ‘Astrovan’ immediately shatter conventional religious imagery, placing angels – typically symbols of purity – smoking cigarettes and donning fishnets. This stark, provocative image sets the tone for a song that doesn’t shy away from portraying the sacred with worldly brushstrokes. It speaks to the idea that divinity can be found in everyday scenarios, blurring the lines between what is traditionally considered holy and unholy.
Such a bold juxtaposition serves as a gateway for listeners to reimagine their own perceptions of spirituality. Mt. Joy doesn’t just craft a scene; they craft a challenge to the status quo of religious symbolism.
The Stoned Messiah in an Average Joe’s Ride: Symbolism Unveiled
Jesus steering an Astrovan down the strip ‘stoned while Jerry plays’ might be the ultimate symbol of the song – a messiah figure who disregards societal norms, conveying the notion that enlightenment isn’t confined to lofty places or grandiose displays. Here, the divine mingles with the profane, inspiring a more inclusive vision of what it means to be spiritual in the modern world.
This image of Jesus acts as a mediator between the earthly and the divine, proposing an approachable, relatable spirituality. It serves to comfort those who feel disconnected from traditional doctrines, showcasing a more accessible embodiment of spiritual guidance.
Dreams, Reality, and the Inherent Fear of Failure
The refrain ‘Life ain’t ever what it seems / These dreams are more than paper things’ captures the central struggle of striving towards dreams despite their elusive and often deceptive nature. Mt. Joy taps into the universal fear of not fulfilling one’s aspirations and the emotional toll it can take on those who support us, particularly within the lines ‘And it’s alright mama you’re afraid / I’ll be poor along the way.’
Through this honest confession, the song reinforces the complexities of pursuing one’s purpose, especially within the arts, and acknowledges the burden of parental concern. The urge to alleviate a loved one’s worry by convincing them of a preordained plan – where even Jesus himself is part of the journey – showcases the inner turmoil between pursuing passion and contending with the reality of potential failure.
Addiction’s Illusions: Craving for ‘The Great Unknown’
A powerful, yet often overlooked aspect of ‘Astrovan’ lies in its poignant reference to addiction, with lyrics such as ‘Every addict has illusions.’ These lines serve as a metaphor for the human condition, portraying our shared susceptibility to chasing chimeras—a yearning that can pertain to substance abuse, but also to the pursuit of dreams, fame, or even spiritual enlightenment.
The song acknowledges the bittersweet nature of this pursuit—the moments when we get glimpses of this ‘great unknown’ that drive us forward, yet are always just out of reach. There’s a commentary here on the human tendency to idealize and romanticize, which, while potentially destructive, also propels us towards greater heights and depths.
Heaven’s Guest List and the Inevitability of Tears
One of the song’s most resonant lines, ‘Maybe you’re famous in heaven / Maybe there is no heaven,’ taps into the existential ambiguity that plagues modern thought. Mt. Joy isn’t afraid to flirt with the possibility of both an afterlife and its absence, culminating in a refrain that asserts fame—and by extension, validation and success—is insignificant in the grand scheme.
The mention of the ‘Doobie smoking Jesus’ having a guest list offers a sardonic take on the exclusivities we create or uphold, while the final plea ‘I don’t wanna see those tears again’ drives home the desire to protect loved ones from the pain and uncertainty of life. It’s a raw acknowledgment that, in the end, we must navigate through a world rife with dissonance and ambiguity, perhaps together, perhaps alone.
