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.
When you're walking down the street
No one sees a VIP ie.
Genius artist of our time well
I'll be the first on line to say
I get it, I get it, I get it
I get it, I get it, I get it
I get it, I get it, I get it
I get it, I get it, I get it
I've been waiting for so long to see your face
I tried this one time and there was this huge line
And now we're standing in this very small space
You never worry about getting rain on your brain
Getting sun on your fun, getting sleet on your feet
'Cause today's the day
I get it, I get it, I get it
I get it, I get it, I get it
Tres bien
Tres bien
Tres bien
Tres bien
All the critics tend to blast you
Dumb ideas will outlast you
Money's gone you got no grants
I'll push your work with my bare hands
Because they will try to convince us
That we have arrived
That we are already there
That it has happened
Because we need to live in the place
Where we are truly alive present, safe
And accounted for
Because we refuse to allow our
Writing, songs, art, activism
And political histories to be suppressed or stolen
Because we refuse to be embarrassed about the mistakes
And faults and choose to move forward
With a political agenda bent on freedom of all
I get it, I get it, I get it
I get it, I get it, I get it
Tres bien
I get it, I get it, I get it
No one sees a VIP ie.
Genius artist of our time well
I'll be the first on line to say
I get it, I get it, I get it
I get it, I get it, I get it
I get it, I get it, I get it
I get it, I get it, I get it
I've been waiting for so long to see your face
I tried this one time and there was this huge line
And now we're standing in this very small space
You never worry about getting rain on your brain
Getting sun on your fun, getting sleet on your feet
'Cause today's the day
I get it, I get it, I get it
I get it, I get it, I get it
Tres bien
Tres bien
Tres bien
Tres bien
All the critics tend to blast you
Dumb ideas will outlast you
Money's gone you got no grants
I'll push your work with my bare hands
Because they will try to convince us
That we have arrived
That we are already there
That it has happened
Because we need to live in the place
Where we are truly alive present, safe
And accounted for
Because we refuse to allow our
Writing, songs, art, activism
And political histories to be suppressed or stolen
Because we refuse to be embarrassed about the mistakes
And faults and choose to move forward
With a political agenda bent on freedom of all
I get it, I get it, I get it
I get it, I get it, I get it
Tres bien
I get it, I get it, I get it
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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.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[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.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
I can't believe that there aren't more comments on this song, it's great! It's about how Kathleen wants to support the underrated geniuses and artists who can't get a break and who are criticized by critics who don't get what they are about. I love the spoken part about refusing to be ashamed of being a feminist and moving forward despite the detractors fixation on the mistakes of the womens movement.