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'm in and out of conversation
It's hard to keep my attention locked down
So don't take offence to anything I say
I tried so hard to keep you coming back my way
But you don't know the half and the one to blame for it
'Cause I'm best known for failure
Best known for giving up
There's nothing that I can say that can matter, that can matter enough
'Cause I'm best known for failure (hey)
Best known for giving up (hey)
There's nothing that I can say that can matter
I've figured out my situation
I am an endless source of useless information
Give me bad news 'cause it's already been expected
I let my front down
And I know I will regret it
But you don't know the half and I'm the one to blame for it
'Cause I'm best known for failure
Best known for giving up
There's nothing that I could say that can matter, that can matter enough
'Cause I'm best known for failure (hey)
Best known for giving up (hey)
There's nothing that I can say that can matter, that can matter enough
Lets get down to business now
I'm saving myself the trouble in the end
So lets get down to business now
I'm saving myself the trouble in the end
(Saving myself the trouble)
But you don't know the half and the one to blame for it
(Hey) 'cause I'm best known for failure (hey)
Best known for giving up (hey)
There's nothing that I can say that can matter
I'm the one to blame for this
Yes I'm the one to blame
Best known for failure
Best known for giving up
There's nothing that I could say that can matter
That could matter enough
It's hard to keep my attention locked down
So don't take offence to anything I say
I tried so hard to keep you coming back my way
But you don't know the half and the one to blame for it
'Cause I'm best known for failure
Best known for giving up
There's nothing that I can say that can matter, that can matter enough
'Cause I'm best known for failure (hey)
Best known for giving up (hey)
There's nothing that I can say that can matter
I've figured out my situation
I am an endless source of useless information
Give me bad news 'cause it's already been expected
I let my front down
And I know I will regret it
But you don't know the half and I'm the one to blame for it
'Cause I'm best known for failure
Best known for giving up
There's nothing that I could say that can matter, that can matter enough
'Cause I'm best known for failure (hey)
Best known for giving up (hey)
There's nothing that I can say that can matter, that can matter enough
Lets get down to business now
I'm saving myself the trouble in the end
So lets get down to business now
I'm saving myself the trouble in the end
(Saving myself the trouble)
But you don't know the half and the one to blame for it
(Hey) 'cause I'm best known for failure (hey)
Best known for giving up (hey)
There's nothing that I can say that can matter
I'm the one to blame for this
Yes I'm the one to blame
Best known for failure
Best known for giving up
There's nothing that I could say that can matter
That could matter enough
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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.
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Punchline
Ed Sheeran
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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'm a HUGE new found glory fan.. and i have this song to thank for saving me from myself over the last year.. IVE BEEN THROUGH SOME SHIT! but this song has saved me!
whoever entered the lyrics got them wrong.. the first line is "and i'm in and out of conversation" not "i'm in a doubt, a conversation"
as for the meaning.. i rekon its about not being able to get the girl you want.. and hating yourself for not having the guts to go up to her and say "holy shit your hot!" lol!
i don't know.. not pretending to be an expert or anything.. but if you look at it its all there!
r*