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.
Why leave me hanging on a star?
When you deem me so high
When you deem me so high
When you deem me, so high
Why leave me sailing in a sea?
When you hear me so clear
When you hear me so clear
When you hear me, so clear
Why leave me hanging on a star?
When you deem me so high
When you deem me so high
When you deem me, so high
When you deem me so high
When you deem me so high
When you deem me, so high
Why leave me sailing in a sea?
When you hear me so clear
When you hear me so clear
When you hear me, so clear
Why leave me hanging on a star?
When you deem me so high
When you deem me so high
When you deem me, so high
Lyrics submitted by nuke_troop
Hanging on a Star Lyrics as written by Nick Drake
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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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.
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“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
I think it's about someone always telling him how amazing he is, yet failing to come to him. Always leaving him dry. Alone. Though they claim to love him so. So, yes, this would fit his frustration, or rather confusion/dissapointment, over not becoming popular, as well as this could also be about a lover, or a ponential lover...
i've associated this song with nick's frustration of never becoming popular in his time. his friends and record label were extremely supportive of him and praised his talent when, in the end, he was being heard by a large audience and remained unknown for his days.
this song awes me.. he is a true genius.
spot on. his record producer agreed in this doc: youtube.com/watch
I have always enjoyed this song for its simplicity. Especially the way the lyrics move slightly out-of-step with the music. In other words, I love Nick's "phrasing." What does this song mean to me? Well. . . have you ever had a friend that you really wanted to have a closer relationship with. . . Someone who is always telling you just how special they think you are? Yet, for whatever reason, they don't want to have a closer relationship with YOU?
This is a very sad song. It is Nick saying, 'you see i need help, and yet leave me unaided', 'you can hear what i am saying, and yet don't listen', 'why love me, and not love me'. Very sad, and very true. This is one of Nick's most poignant cries for a better human nature amongst us all.
Those who try and lift his spirits and urge him to reach out, coax him and press him, but don't really attend to his need to be understood and appreciated. He is angry that they deny him the need to feel a connection. As they try to support him or teach him to endevor for aspire to gain for himself, they ignore him while they attempt to prop up his ego. As they fail to lift his spirits they also fail to gain a posative rapore with him or , show him their natural affinity for him, or instill in him the feeling of a bond, of friendship.
And he feels betrayal.