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.
Brian Molko :
Don't stare at your face with your nose out of place
At the wrinkles where zits used to be
And remember that smiling uses less muscles
And frowning just makes you look ugly
Brian Molko & Jane Birkin :
So smile, smile
And the whole world will smile with you
So smile, Baby, smile
If the whole world just had a clue
Jane Birkin :
Don't mess with your man when he's selling you grams
He would kill you for less and then smile
And don't curse at a whore as you open the door
Cos' your service wont be with a smile
So smile, smile
And the whole world smiles with you
And smile, Baby, smile
If the whole world just had a clue
Brian Molko :
Don't sneer at your doctor or Gamble and proctor
Cos' they're just pawns in the game
Jane Birkin :
The perfect prescription is one that you're given
It's filled out in Jesus' name
Brian Molko :
Don't be scared of your preacher cos' hes just a leech
He's too busy cruising your ass
Jane Birkin :
There's a verse in the Bible
That says we're all liable
For everything that comes to pass
Brian Molko & Jane Birkin :
So smile, smile
And the whole world smiles with you
So smile, Baby, smile
If the whole world just had a clue
So smile, smile
Smile, smile
Smile, smile
Don't stare at your face with your nose out of place
At the wrinkles where zits used to be
And remember that smiling uses less muscles
And frowning just makes you look ugly
Brian Molko & Jane Birkin :
So smile, smile
And the whole world will smile with you
So smile, Baby, smile
If the whole world just had a clue
Jane Birkin :
Don't mess with your man when he's selling you grams
He would kill you for less and then smile
And don't curse at a whore as you open the door
Cos' your service wont be with a smile
So smile, smile
And the whole world smiles with you
And smile, Baby, smile
If the whole world just had a clue
Brian Molko :
Don't sneer at your doctor or Gamble and proctor
Cos' they're just pawns in the game
Jane Birkin :
The perfect prescription is one that you're given
It's filled out in Jesus' name
Brian Molko :
Don't be scared of your preacher cos' hes just a leech
He's too busy cruising your ass
Jane Birkin :
There's a verse in the Bible
That says we're all liable
For everything that comes to pass
Brian Molko & Jane Birkin :
So smile, smile
And the whole world smiles with you
So smile, Baby, smile
If the whole world just had a clue
So smile, smile
Smile, smile
Smile, smile
Lyrics submitted by cobiatic
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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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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Page
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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
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“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 love how if you read the lyrics to the song you think it would be upbeat or happier but the melancholy tone they sing it in makes it ironic.