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.
The stale words rest on your tongue
Kills the love you once had
Burning eyes can't tell your wrongs
Leaves empty cavities so crass
My words can never explain
The bed of roses turns to nails
Your arms can never reach out
When you fail
Tell me why are you here?
I asked who wants to CHANGE...
{chorus}
the poison gets closer - my insides spread farther
your season's more drastic - your reason's more static
TELL ME WHY ARE YOU HEAR, RUINING ME?
The feeling echoes through your pain
Leaves the inside feel dead
Blinding faith that you can see
Falling tears with a bloodshot head
My actions never commence
The pain when lights fades to a shadow
Your mind could never reach me
When you cry
When you're dropping bombs
My only defense is rusted STEEL...
{chorus}
{bridge}
The noose won't save you from breathing
The screams won't save you from bleeding
Tell me why are you here, ruining me?
The water greets you for drowning
The fire greets you for burning
When you leave - You're only healing me
{chorus}
HANDING YOU MY HEART
INSIDE A CRUSHED PAPER STAR (4x)
Kills the love you once had
Burning eyes can't tell your wrongs
Leaves empty cavities so crass
My words can never explain
The bed of roses turns to nails
Your arms can never reach out
When you fail
Tell me why are you here?
I asked who wants to CHANGE...
{chorus}
the poison gets closer - my insides spread farther
your season's more drastic - your reason's more static
TELL ME WHY ARE YOU HEAR, RUINING ME?
The feeling echoes through your pain
Leaves the inside feel dead
Blinding faith that you can see
Falling tears with a bloodshot head
My actions never commence
The pain when lights fades to a shadow
Your mind could never reach me
When you cry
When you're dropping bombs
My only defense is rusted STEEL...
{chorus}
{bridge}
The noose won't save you from breathing
The screams won't save you from bleeding
Tell me why are you here, ruining me?
The water greets you for drowning
The fire greets you for burning
When you leave - You're only healing me
{chorus}
HANDING YOU MY HEART
INSIDE A CRUSHED PAPER STAR (4x)
Lyrics submitted by GrinninVillain6
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.