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.
(Mhm, that's that, that's that groove)
When I was a little boy
(When I was just a boy)
And the Devil called my name
(When I was just a boy)
I'd say, "Now who do (who)
Who do you think you're fooling?"
(When I was just a boy)
I'm a consecrated boy
(When I was just a boy)
Singer in a Sunday choir
Oh, my mama loves me, she loves me
She get down on her knees and hug me
Oh, she loves me like a rock
She rock me like the rock of ages
And loves me
She love me, love me, love me, love me
When I was grown to be a man
(Grown to be a man)
And the Devil would call my name
(Grown to be a man)
I'd say "now who do (who)
Who do you think you're fooling?"
(Grown to be a man)
I'm a consummated man
(Grown to be a man)
I can snatch a little purity
My mama loves me, she loves me
She get down on her knees and hug me
Oh, she loves me like a rock
She rock me like the rock of ages
And loves me
She love me, love me, love me, love me
And if I was President
(Was the president)
The minute the Congress called my name
(Was the president)
I'd say "now who do (who)
Who do you think you're fooling?"
(Who do you think you're fooling?)
I've got the presidential seal
(Was the president)
I'm up on the presidential podium
My mama loves me, she loves me
She get down on her knees and hug me
Oh, and she loves me like a rock
She rock me like the rock of ages
And love me
She love me, love me, love me, love me
(Loves me like a rock)
She love me, love me, love me, love me
(Loves me like a rock)
She love me, love me, love me, love me
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock, oh baby)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock, oh baby)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock, oh baby)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock, oh baby)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock, oh baby)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock, oh baby)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock, oh baby)
When I was a little boy
(When I was just a boy)
And the Devil called my name
(When I was just a boy)
I'd say, "Now who do (who)
Who do you think you're fooling?"
(When I was just a boy)
I'm a consecrated boy
(When I was just a boy)
Singer in a Sunday choir
Oh, my mama loves me, she loves me
She get down on her knees and hug me
Oh, she loves me like a rock
She rock me like the rock of ages
And loves me
She love me, love me, love me, love me
When I was grown to be a man
(Grown to be a man)
And the Devil would call my name
(Grown to be a man)
I'd say "now who do (who)
Who do you think you're fooling?"
(Grown to be a man)
I'm a consummated man
(Grown to be a man)
I can snatch a little purity
My mama loves me, she loves me
She get down on her knees and hug me
Oh, she loves me like a rock
She rock me like the rock of ages
And loves me
She love me, love me, love me, love me
And if I was President
(Was the president)
The minute the Congress called my name
(Was the president)
I'd say "now who do (who)
Who do you think you're fooling?"
(Who do you think you're fooling?)
I've got the presidential seal
(Was the president)
I'm up on the presidential podium
My mama loves me, she loves me
She get down on her knees and hug me
Oh, and she loves me like a rock
She rock me like the rock of ages
And love me
She love me, love me, love me, love me
(Loves me like a rock)
She love me, love me, love me, love me
(Loves me like a rock)
She love me, love me, love me, love me
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock, oh baby)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock, oh baby)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock, oh baby)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock, oh baby)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock, oh baby)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock, oh baby)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock, oh baby)
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Light Up The Sky
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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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Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
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The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
No Surprises
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Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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.
i agree that mama would be god because mama could represent a care taker or teacher or leader...all of which god is to be...