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.
Smack in the middle of today
Got to learn new words
Merely got to simply say
I think we all misheard
Cracked in the middle of me
Have to find my heart
Smiling equates with happy
But I know they're miles apart
Just like my lower heaven
You know so well my higher hell
When confronted by
Continuing the course
Will you open up
Or do I have to force
The words right out
Of your stubborn mouth?
Stunted of course,
Guilty in their growth
Just like my lower heaven
You know so well my higher hell
Crashed through the floor today
I couldn't find my legs
Suppose you live and learn
Learn it again and again
Smack in the middle of today
Got to find new words
Merely got to simply say
I think we all misheard
Just like my lower heaven
You know so well my higher hell
(when confronted by continuing the course)
(will you open up or do I have to force)
(the words right out)
(of your stubborn mouth)
(stunted of course)
(guilty in their growth)
Got to learn new words
Merely got to simply say
I think we all misheard
Cracked in the middle of me
Have to find my heart
Smiling equates with happy
But I know they're miles apart
Just like my lower heaven
You know so well my higher hell
When confronted by
Continuing the course
Will you open up
Or do I have to force
The words right out
Of your stubborn mouth?
Stunted of course,
Guilty in their growth
Just like my lower heaven
You know so well my higher hell
Crashed through the floor today
I couldn't find my legs
Suppose you live and learn
Learn it again and again
Smack in the middle of today
Got to find new words
Merely got to simply say
I think we all misheard
Just like my lower heaven
You know so well my higher hell
(when confronted by continuing the course)
(will you open up or do I have to force)
(the words right out)
(of your stubborn mouth)
(stunted of course)
(guilty in their growth)
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
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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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Magical
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How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Why couldn't this be about a relationship gone bad? My lower heaven "you" know so well. Forcing the words out of your stubborn mouth. Being misheard. Confronted by the spectre of continuing his present course...sounds a lot like a personal relationship he's mired in.
I'm tempted to say that "higher hell" is a dead giveaway that this is yet another song about dope. But nonetheless it's very sublime and has a very sad feeling to it.
maybe it's about how everyone thinks life is so great, so the lower heaven would be what people see, and the higher hell would be the truth, that your life actually sucks quite alot, even if you're in a pretty awesome band