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.
break out the blindfolds!
theres teens cloaked in sheepskin
and we are the wolves at bay!
"put her to bed with the big ones, and we'll charge them at the door"
the devil soon was a vagabond, and we dressed him for the prom
and now the chorus sings filth hymns, as the next horseman, will transform
show me a swollen-headed hotshot son of a bitch
who licks his lips caked with glory,
and ghosts in fine suits will go dancing with contracts in their hands, oh oh oh
so alright ill say goddamn, the smoke and cameras will clean and then?
"we cant surely lead them to their dooms?"
"yeah of course we can! yeah of course we can!
we'll feed them shit till theyre full in their bellies
theyll love the taste even more than the feeling
and if they build that tower it will fall down
just like the last time"
(its not the same, its not the same)
"look at them starving while indulging in nothing," and now laying in rubble,
"swallow us all up we are surely not worthy!"
and there is nothing left to believe so theyll believe what they see
"swallow us all up we are surely not worthy!"
and there is nothing left to believe so theyll believe what they see
the ballroom is alive with torn bodies under stone
the ballroom is alive with torn bodies under stone
theres teens cloaked in sheepskin
and we are the wolves at bay!
"put her to bed with the big ones, and we'll charge them at the door"
the devil soon was a vagabond, and we dressed him for the prom
and now the chorus sings filth hymns, as the next horseman, will transform
show me a swollen-headed hotshot son of a bitch
who licks his lips caked with glory,
and ghosts in fine suits will go dancing with contracts in their hands, oh oh oh
so alright ill say goddamn, the smoke and cameras will clean and then?
"we cant surely lead them to their dooms?"
"yeah of course we can! yeah of course we can!
we'll feed them shit till theyre full in their bellies
theyll love the taste even more than the feeling
and if they build that tower it will fall down
just like the last time"
(its not the same, its not the same)
"look at them starving while indulging in nothing," and now laying in rubble,
"swallow us all up we are surely not worthy!"
and there is nothing left to believe so theyll believe what they see
"swallow us all up we are surely not worthy!"
and there is nothing left to believe so theyll believe what they see
the ballroom is alive with torn bodies under stone
the ballroom is alive with torn bodies under stone
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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.
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Hayalperest
Hayalperest
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.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Just as a side note the song title refers to Pee-Wee's Big Adventure when Francis tells Pee-Wee to listen to reason and then Pee-Wee tells him, "Shhhhhh! I'm Listening To Reason".
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
what is this about? lord of the rings?
i thought it was about 9/11 and the war. "Show me a swollen-headed hotshot son of a bitch Who licks his lips caked with glory.." George W.?
""We can’t surely lead them to their dooms?" "Yeah of course we can! We’ll feed them shit till they’re full in their bellies They’ll love the taste even more than the feeling And if they build that tower it will fall down Just like the last time"" Telling people the war will do good? And the tower? As in the Twin Towers?
i love your name. on that note i think your view of it is pushing it. i understand what your saying. but ive read a lot about volcano and the album is mostly literary references. ive never been near a lord of the rings novel or movie so i'm not sure what the song is about. but the war thing is definitely possible.
the war is a good idea... I just thought that the line: "Swallow us all up we are surely not worthy!" /And there is nothing left to believe so they’ll believe what they see" was about propaganda and the media cause it seems like now there are no news sources that we can rely on to find out whats actually happening in the war and most people don't even realize they are being fed a bunch of bullshit from networks like fox and whatnot so all they do is just believe in what the headlines say....fuck bush
i think the last line is: "The ballroom's alive with torn bodies in motion." But okay, whatever. The war thing doesn't seem very likely although it's a valid explination, doesn't seem like Nic would write something so obvious. I think it had a much deeper meaning.
Maybe, just maybe, there are actually songs that aren't about Bush, 9/11, or the war in Iraq. Just a thought.
It could all be a metaphore.. don;t ask me.. I'm not a good interpetrer but what the heck.. might as well list my theory!
It's not about LOTR or 9/11. The tower reference is the tower of Babel. It's definately a literary reference. Perhaps another stab at Animal Farm?(The Windmill being the tower?) But the greater symbolism there would be that it was a song criticizing bureaucracy and corporate elitism and the "brand" culture. No specific people like Bush or anything like that, but a general statement. The teens dressed in sheepskin would be teens who follow the latest trends. The wolves at bay would be the corporate elite who prey on vulnerable teens to get their money and their minds. Etc etc. The references to prom would be, again, the idea of elegance and wealth. Wanting an expensive prom dress, a stretch hummer, and a weekend prom retreat.