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.
Accept the fact that you're the second rate
Life is easy for you
It's all served up on a gold plated plate
And we don't even to talk to you
Your face is normal that's the you're bred
And that's the way you're going to stay
Your head is firmly nailed to your channel
But someone else's fingers on the control panel
What you gonna be, what you gonna be brother
Zero the hero
Don't you want to be, don't you want to be brother
Zero the hero
When you gonna be, when you gonna be brother
Zero the hero
You sit there watch it all burn down
It's easy and breezy for you
You play your life to a different sound
No edge no edge you got no knife have you
Your life is a six lane highway to no-where
You're going so fast you're never ever
Gonna get down there
Where heroes sit by the river
With the magic in their music as they eat raw liver
You stand there captain we all look
You really are mediocre
You are the champion in the acme form book
But I think you're just a joker
Your facedown life ain't so much of a pity
But the un-a-duckin' way you're walkin' around
The city with your balls and your head full of nothing
It's easy for you sucker but you really need stuffing
Life is easy for you
It's all served up on a gold plated plate
And we don't even to talk to you
Your face is normal that's the you're bred
And that's the way you're going to stay
Your head is firmly nailed to your channel
But someone else's fingers on the control panel
What you gonna be, what you gonna be brother
Zero the hero
Don't you want to be, don't you want to be brother
Zero the hero
When you gonna be, when you gonna be brother
Zero the hero
You sit there watch it all burn down
It's easy and breezy for you
You play your life to a different sound
No edge no edge you got no knife have you
Your life is a six lane highway to no-where
You're going so fast you're never ever
Gonna get down there
Where heroes sit by the river
With the magic in their music as they eat raw liver
You stand there captain we all look
You really are mediocre
You are the champion in the acme form book
But I think you're just a joker
Your facedown life ain't so much of a pity
But the un-a-duckin' way you're walkin' around
The city with your balls and your head full of nothing
It's easy for you sucker but you really need stuffing
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
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Hayalperest
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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.
Magical
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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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
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There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
I agree with kamehameha00.sabbath's original kicks ass too.