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.
Faith lies in
The ways of sin
Chased the charmed
But I don't want them anymore
And in their eyes I was alive
Fool's disguise
Take me away from you
Shame my tongue
Fat with promise all along
When I woke up from that sleep
I was happier than I'd ever been
When you decide
That your life is a prize
Renew, revive
It's alright honey
It's alright, yeah
Happiness will make you wonder
Will I feel OK?
It scares the disenchanted
Far away
Yeah, I want something new
But what am I supposed to do about you
Yeah, I love you, it's true
Life's a bummer
When you're a hummer
Life's a drag
Ask yourself a question
Anyone but me
I ain't free
Ask yourself a question
Anyone but me
I ain't free
Do you feel
Love is real
The ways of sin
Chased the charmed
But I don't want them anymore
And in their eyes I was alive
Fool's disguise
Take me away from you
Shame my tongue
Fat with promise all along
When I woke up from that sleep
I was happier than I'd ever been
When you decide
That your life is a prize
Renew, revive
It's alright honey
It's alright, yeah
Happiness will make you wonder
Will I feel OK?
It scares the disenchanted
Far away
Yeah, I want something new
But what am I supposed to do about you
Yeah, I love you, it's true
Life's a bummer
When you're a hummer
Life's a drag
Ask yourself a question
Anyone but me
I ain't free
Ask yourself a question
Anyone but me
I ain't free
Do you feel
Love is real
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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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Ed Sheeran
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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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
he is saying how religion and ignorance go hand in hand. if you're religious, you're ignorant to the wonders of life.
"Faith lies in The ways of sin I chased the charmed But I don't want them anymore"
sinning is something people naturally wanna do, but a lot of people don't because their "faith" is in the way of doing so. he chased the afterlife like all other religious folk, but he doesn't wanna be a part of the religious group anymore.
"But when I woke up from that sleep I was happier than I'd ever been" referring to being religious as being asleep - like being on autopilot in life, not really embracing and living it to the fullest. when he woke up from that long period of sleep, he was a happier person.
all in all, i think the song sends a message that says religious people take life for granted and don't enjoy it because they are too worried about being perfect in gods eyes just so they can go to heaven. and he used to be like that, but changed and experienced life in a whole new light.