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.
7 a.m.
The garbage truck beeps as it backs up
And I start my day thinking about what I've thrown away
Could I push rewind?
The credits traverse signifying the end
But I missed the best part, could we please go back to start?
Forgive my indecision
Then again, then again
Then again, you're always first when no one's on your side
But then again, then again
Then again, a day will come when I want off that ride, babe
11 a.m.
By now you would think that I would be up
But my bed sheets shade the heat of choices I've made
And what did I find?
I never thought I could want someone so much
'Cause now you're not here and I'm knee deep in that old fear
Forgive my indecision
I am only a man
Then again, then again
Then again, you're always first when no one's on your side
But then again, then again, again, again
Then again, a day will come when I want off that ride, baby
12 p.m. and my dusty telephone rings
Heavy head up from my pillow, who could it be?
I hope it's you
It's you
Oh, oh-oh-oh
Then again, then again
Then again, you're always first when no one's on your side
But then again, then again, again, again
Then again, the day has come and I want off that ride, babe
The garbage truck beeps as it backs up
And I start my day thinking about what I've thrown away
Could I push rewind?
The credits traverse signifying the end
But I missed the best part, could we please go back to start?
Forgive my indecision
Then again, then again
Then again, you're always first when no one's on your side
But then again, then again
Then again, a day will come when I want off that ride, babe
11 a.m.
By now you would think that I would be up
But my bed sheets shade the heat of choices I've made
And what did I find?
I never thought I could want someone so much
'Cause now you're not here and I'm knee deep in that old fear
Forgive my indecision
I am only a man
Then again, then again
Then again, you're always first when no one's on your side
But then again, then again, again, again
Then again, a day will come when I want off that ride, baby
12 p.m. and my dusty telephone rings
Heavy head up from my pillow, who could it be?
I hope it's you
It's you
Oh, oh-oh-oh
Then again, then again
Then again, you're always first when no one's on your side
But then again, then again, again, again
Then again, the day has come and I want off that ride, babe
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"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.
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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.
Blue
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“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
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 like this song aswell. What does the lyric mean "you're always first when no one's on your side" ? I am confused about that.I think maybe it means that she comes back 2 him when she has noone else? I agree with bug zapper about the meaning of the song.
This is obviously just my own opinion but when I heard this song I immediately figured it was about a relationship that ended badly due to cheating. 7 am...he wakes up depressed, makes the allusion of throwing something (his relationship) away "the garbage truck beeps as it backs up and I start my dad thinking about what I've thrown away" which would give the implication that he was the overall cause of the ended relationship would it not? He then describes how he simply wants to go back "could I push rewind?"...don't we all? He wants to make amends, probably does the 'if I could only go back I would never do this or that', etc. "Forgive my indecision" I think he's saying he wasn't sure about the stability of the said relationship and was obviously at some point indecisive...leading to his infidelity. <br /> <br /> He's not up by 11 am which implies depression. "But the bedsheets shade the heat of choices I've made" means (to me...remember?) he cheated with some other girl, probably had sex, maybe something a little more minor, nevertheless...cheated and feels guilty. The only gain concluding in his alleged infidelity was the fact that he is certain he has never wanted anyone so much (his actual girlfriend...not the one he cheated with). He pleads for her forgiveness once again and claims this time that he is "only a man" giving way to his mortality...that everyone inevitably makes mistakes sometimes. <br /> <br /> "12 pm...hope it's you" is pretty self-explanitory wouldn't you say? <br /> <br /> Now for the chorus! He always ends the verses with a plead for forgiveness "forgive my indecision". He then states "then again" which indicates an afterthought that maybe he should just put himself first for awhile; you can focus on yourself and what you want out of life if you don't have someone else to think about "your always first when no one's on your side" (your side meaning when you are in a relationship and with someone). He has another afterthought after this with a following "then again" and realizes that he doesn't want to end up alone, that he does really care about this person he messed things up with and would like a second chance with them, and doesn't want to end up alone again...he likes having someone to think about. "THE day has come and I want off that ride!"
"you're always first when no one's on your side" . when your single you come first, there's no one you need to sacrafice anything for, and you can do what u want. i think this is the meaning because in the verse he talks about how he made the wrong decision breaking up with her? and wants her back... "then again" ..aka but.. your always first when no ones on your side. and also "forgive my indecision" he's undecided and weighing up which is the best decision.