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.
All blurry, no focus now
What's focus when the lights are all out
I can't understand, why I keep you around
But I can't, I won't let you down
Wondering, how long until we break
Foundations that we built are getting weak
It seems that, we're springing a leak
But I can't, I won't let us drown
No I can't, I won't let you down
I can't, and I won't let you down
Cause you know, that ill do anything for you
And you see, that its aching inside me
And I watch you go, and I don't run after you
And I guess I just let you down
When its not me, who's forgetting all our dreams
When its not me, who's forgetting all our dreams
When its not me, who's forgetting all our
Who's forgetting all our dreams
Forgetting all our dreams
And I watch you go, and I don't run after you
And I guess I just let you down
What's focus when the lights are all out
I can't understand, why I keep you around
But I can't, I won't let you down
Wondering, how long until we break
Foundations that we built are getting weak
It seems that, we're springing a leak
But I can't, I won't let us drown
No I can't, I won't let you down
I can't, and I won't let you down
Cause you know, that ill do anything for you
And you see, that its aching inside me
And I watch you go, and I don't run after you
And I guess I just let you down
When its not me, who's forgetting all our dreams
When its not me, who's forgetting all our dreams
When its not me, who's forgetting all our
Who's forgetting all our dreams
Forgetting all our dreams
And I watch you go, and I don't run after you
And I guess I just let you down
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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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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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“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
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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.
duct tape can fix ALMOST everything