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.
I feel myself getting sick,
When summer ends and school begins.
Oh how the desks begin to dig in my back.
A sad semester encroaches.
All the teachers and the coaches weren't tolerant
Of individuals who made up their own minds.
I made mine too.
Cause I'm through.
Hey! What am I doing here?
I have things to do, there's life outside -
And I'm stuck inside this classroom.
The loners become cops
They grow more lonely in their squad cars.
I find it funny how the all-stars
Are all old and fat.
The cheerleaders have babies,
With houses and husbands.
They should have known.
When summer ends and school begins.
Oh how the desks begin to dig in my back.
A sad semester encroaches.
All the teachers and the coaches weren't tolerant
Of individuals who made up their own minds.
I made mine too.
Cause I'm through.
Hey! What am I doing here?
I have things to do, there's life outside -
And I'm stuck inside this classroom.
The loners become cops
They grow more lonely in their squad cars.
I find it funny how the all-stars
Are all old and fat.
The cheerleaders have babies,
With houses and husbands.
They should have known.
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Van Halen
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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.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
I hate school. It ruins everything.
It seem that the singer doesn't like the way society works at all, it's evident from virtually every song in this album. I happen to love university, but I hated high school, so I know how it is, and I agree with Mr. Staples on alot of these political things. This comment isn't about this song in particular, but about this whole theme, expressed throughout the whole album. Twothirtyeight just had a way of expressing their songs and lyrics in such simple, understandable ways, with just awesome beats to strengthen their music. It sucks that they had to quit, but from the ideas found in this album, I can hazard a guess as to what they were going through when they did.