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 know my friend
I’ve been walking on a really strange path lately
I’m so glad you were not there
To see my fall, to see me passing on
My wound so deep
My veins opened wide
Letting flow my distress
Letting flow my requests
Listen my friend
As so one wanted to hear I’m telling you now
So weak was my hope
So cold the world around
So strong the calls
My pain invited echoes to my pain
Anguish Coiled in the gut like a starving worm
Fallen, between . . .
I slide down the hole at the center of my soul
I’ve given up, I’ve given up, larvae rots
For I let the angel rise
For I let the angel rise
I’ve been walking on a really strange path lately
I’m so glad you were not there
To see my fall, to see me passing on
My wound so deep
My veins opened wide
Letting flow my distress
Letting flow my requests
Listen my friend
As so one wanted to hear I’m telling you now
So weak was my hope
So cold the world around
So strong the calls
My pain invited echoes to my pain
Anguish Coiled in the gut like a starving worm
Fallen, between . . .
I slide down the hole at the center of my soul
I’ve given up, I’ve given up, larvae rots
For I let the angel rise
For I let the angel rise
Lyrics submitted by sean
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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.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
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.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
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 about a person struggling with thier sexual orientation, it is about a person talking to a friend and sharing that he will not pursue this lifestyle but follow gods ways:
You know my friend I�ve been walking on a really strange path lately I�m so glad you were not there To see my fall, to see me passing on
"this part represents a person exploring the other side of sexuality..one that is filled with sin, He feels guilty and is glad his friend was not there to see him engage in his weakness"
My wound so deep "gay is something that cannot be healed and is a part of the person"
My veins opened wide
Letting flow my distress "the more honest he is with himself the more he hates himself" Letting flow my requests "wanting not to be gay anymore"
Listen my friend As so one wanted to hear I�m telling you now "He is telling his friend that he is gay"
So weak was my hope So cold the world around So strong the calls My pain invited echoes to my pain "The guy is feeling hopeless for the future and is feeling tempted to live the christian lifestyle, he is doubting himself more and more"
Anguish Coiled in the gut like a starving worm Fallen, between "refering to abstinance-starving worm. The peguy has 'fallen between' the normal society
I slide down the hole at the center of my soul "the gayness is such a part of him that it creates a denial of basic self" I�ve given up, I�ve given up, larvae rots "The guy supresses his sexuality and gives up all hope at life"
For I let the angel rise For I let the angel rise "the man grasp onto the holy lifestyle, it is pure...the angel is totally a dying being decaying in its self for its self denial..hence the name of the song"