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.
You part the waters
The same ones that I'm drowning in
You lead your casual slaughters
And I'm the one who helps you win
You've got your grand piano
You don't even play piano
I'm the one who plays piano
You don't even play piano
You part the waters
The same ones that I'm thirsty for
You invite your friends to tea
But when it's me you lock the door
You've got your credit cards
And you thank your lucky stars.
But don't forget the ones who foot the bill
You've got your grand piano
And you don't even play piano
I'm the one who plays piano
You don't even play piano
But you part the waters
The same ones that I'm drowning in
You lead your casual slaughters
And I'm the one who helps you win
You've got your grand piano
You don't even play piano
I'm the one who plays piano
You don't even play piano
You part the waters
The same ones that I'm thirsty for
You invite your friends to tea
But when it's me you lock the door
You've got your credit cards
And you thank your lucky stars.
But don't forget the ones who foot the bill
You've got your grand piano
And you don't even play piano
I'm the one who plays piano
You don't even play piano
But you part the waters
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
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Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
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.
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,
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
This song is definitely about capitalism. The biggest critique of capitalism is that those who own the means of production are supported and paid by the exploited labor of the working class. This song mirrors those sentiments. The "you" is the capitalist class and the "I" is the working class.
"You part the waters, the same ones that I'm drowning in/thirsty for."
those with the power and capital make the decisions-- move the money, divide the resources-- while the working class has to desperately hope for trickle down-- drowing and thirsting at the will of those who own the means of production.
"You lead your casual slaughters, And I'm the one who helps you win"
Another critique of capitalism points to the necessity of wars to keep down labor revolutions. The US for example has led many casual slaughters to keep the capitalist status quo on top (Nicaragua is a great example). The class who owns the means of production starts and leads casual wars, but which is only accomplished with the help of the working class to man the battlefields and pay for the wars.
"You invite your friends to tea, But when it's me you lock the door."
Again, clearly happens in capitalim. The higher class who owns the producion is able to enjoy the luxuries of life and have exclusive parties, while stigmatizing and excluding the working class (who is actually paying for them).
"You've got your credit cards, And you thank your lucky stars. But don't forget the ones who foot the bill."
These lyrics pretty much sum up the theme of the song. He's point out that they have the money, they thank god for their elite status, but in the end they are only in their position because they exploit the labor of the working class. The song is about this injustice.
The chorus uses the metaphor of a piano, but really could be anything. It's the narrator voicing frustration at the inequality and injustice in the capitalist society. The high class has everything and the workers who build and pay for them have nothing. The metaphor shows a capitalist with a grand piano which he doesn't even have use for, as he doesn't play. The worker is looking at this wealth alongside the his own lack of such luxuries and is like, "come on! you don't even play piano! I do!"