The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Bells are ringing
Soul of France
Bells are singing
Of romance
C'est tres jolie en Paris in the spring
Watching all the lovers walk along the Seine
Pitch a penny in her like a wishing well
Feed the pigeons in the park near Tour-Eifelle
Bells are ringing
Soul of France
Bells are singing
Of romance
There's a chapel Sacre Coure in quaint Montmarte
In the open air, the painters show their art
In the restaurant sip a beaujolies
What a perfect way to spend a lovely day
Bells are ringing
Soul of France
Bells are singing
Of romance
Sunday morning, hear the bells of Notre Dame
Watching belles jeunes filles and the handsome gendarmes
Near the Arc De Triomphe on the Champs-Elysees
Coffee and croissants in a sidewalk cafe
Some people go to see the races at Deauville
Or weekend by the racing tides of Mont San Michelle
Some take the tour of Chartres on an autobus
While the writers and the artists never leave Mont Parnasse
Soul of France
Bells are singing
Of romance
C'est tres jolie en Paris in the spring
Watching all the lovers walk along the Seine
Pitch a penny in her like a wishing well
Feed the pigeons in the park near Tour-Eifelle
Bells are ringing
Soul of France
Bells are singing
Of romance
There's a chapel Sacre Coure in quaint Montmarte
In the open air, the painters show their art
In the restaurant sip a beaujolies
What a perfect way to spend a lovely day
Bells are ringing
Soul of France
Bells are singing
Of romance
Sunday morning, hear the bells of Notre Dame
Watching belles jeunes filles and the handsome gendarmes
Near the Arc De Triomphe on the Champs-Elysees
Coffee and croissants in a sidewalk cafe
Some people go to see the races at Deauville
Or weekend by the racing tides of Mont San Michelle
Some take the tour of Chartres on an autobus
While the writers and the artists never leave Mont Parnasse
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Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
This is actually a surpringly good song, although not quite a 'best of the best' kind of track. It's a pretty casual, mellow song about Paris and its vocal and musical elements are put together well. By the way, it could be called "Bells of Paris" or "Belles of Paris" (as it is on the CD) - 'belles' would mean beautiful women. They re-recorded this song as "Bells of Christmas" and it also makes a pretty good Christmas song. Check it out on their "Ultimate Christmas" CD.