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.
Oooohhhh, ooohhh
Oooohhhh, ooohhh
Well now if you want blood with your money,
You can help yourself,
And if you want a lot more then you got coming,
I will never tell,
I will weigh all your time and your wealth,
If it makes you smile,
But now if you want something worth while,
I can show you how
Listen to me now
Come on Give
Look them in the eye and
Give
There's nothing to decide
Come on Give
Look them in the eye and
Give
And take it all in stride
When you got enough food on your table
Blood in your mouth
Now you wanna taste something better
Then just spit it out
Listen to me now
Come on Give
Look them in the eye and
Give
Theres nothing to decide
Come on give
Look them in the eye and
Give
And take it all in stride
Oooohhhh, Ooohhh,
Oooohhhh, Ooohhh,
Give
Look them in the eye and
Give
Theres nothing to decide
Come on give
Look them in the eye and
Give
And take it all in stride
Give...
Give...
Give...
Give...
Give...
Oooohhhh, ooohhh
Well now if you want blood with your money,
You can help yourself,
And if you want a lot more then you got coming,
I will never tell,
I will weigh all your time and your wealth,
If it makes you smile,
But now if you want something worth while,
I can show you how
Listen to me now
Come on Give
Look them in the eye and
Give
There's nothing to decide
Come on Give
Look them in the eye and
Give
And take it all in stride
When you got enough food on your table
Blood in your mouth
Now you wanna taste something better
Then just spit it out
Listen to me now
Come on Give
Look them in the eye and
Give
Theres nothing to decide
Come on give
Look them in the eye and
Give
And take it all in stride
Oooohhhh, Ooohhh,
Oooohhhh, Ooohhh,
Give
Look them in the eye and
Give
Theres nothing to decide
Come on give
Look them in the eye and
Give
And take it all in stride
Give...
Give...
Give...
Give...
Give...
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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.
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“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.
You can hear thsi song at Audioslave.com if you own the CD, otherwise its an iTunes exclusive. Great song that would of easily fit in on the first Album. Basically saying stop being a greedy jerk thinking of only yourself and give to someone in need, it feels good