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.
Now my days are growing cold,
All the memories unfold
Thinking 'bout the friends we lost,
Wondering how to count the cost,
Now my days are growing cold
I can hardly wait any longer,
Now the feeling's growing stronger
Thinking 'bout the times we had,
Good times always turn into bad,
Now my days are growing cold
Why don't you take me for a little while,
Sing me songs, you know, will make me smile
Why don't you take me for a little while
As I watch the rising sun,
I see a new day just begun
Thinking 'bout the sacrifice,
Wondering how to pay the price,
Now my world is growing cold
Why don't you take me for a little while,
Sing me songs, you know, will make me smile, make me smile
Why don't you take me for a little while
So now my days are growing cold,
All my memories been told
Thinking 'bout the dreams we lost,
Wondering how to count the cost
Now my days are growing cold
Why don't you take me for a little while,
Sing me songs, you know, will make me smile
Why don't you take me for a little while,
Sing me songs, you know, will make, me make, me make, me smile
Why don't you take me for a little while,
Sing me songs, you know, will make me smile.
Why don't you take me for a little while,
Sing me songs, you know, will make, me make, me make, me smile.
Why don't you take me for a little while,
Sing me songs, you know, will make me, make me, make me smile.
Somebody take me, take me, won't you make me smile...
All the memories unfold
Thinking 'bout the friends we lost,
Wondering how to count the cost,
Now my days are growing cold
I can hardly wait any longer,
Now the feeling's growing stronger
Thinking 'bout the times we had,
Good times always turn into bad,
Now my days are growing cold
Why don't you take me for a little while,
Sing me songs, you know, will make me smile
Why don't you take me for a little while
As I watch the rising sun,
I see a new day just begun
Thinking 'bout the sacrifice,
Wondering how to pay the price,
Now my world is growing cold
Why don't you take me for a little while,
Sing me songs, you know, will make me smile, make me smile
Why don't you take me for a little while
So now my days are growing cold,
All my memories been told
Thinking 'bout the dreams we lost,
Wondering how to count the cost
Now my days are growing cold
Why don't you take me for a little while,
Sing me songs, you know, will make me smile
Why don't you take me for a little while,
Sing me songs, you know, will make, me make, me make, me smile
Why don't you take me for a little while,
Sing me songs, you know, will make me smile.
Why don't you take me for a little while,
Sing me songs, you know, will make, me make, me make, me smile.
Why don't you take me for a little while,
Sing me songs, you know, will make me, make me, make me smile.
Somebody take me, take me, won't you make me smile...
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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.
Holiday
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Bee Gees
@[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.
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.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Man no replies on any of the songs on this album eh? Well this was is fuckin awesome. Love it. Just barely picked up the album for the first time yesterday and this song is definitely a stand out track.
Asta!!