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.
He was a great balloon maker
The balloons were never known for speed
There's no way you'll get sweet
You asked me to waste some time
Come out to see the sun
You're all we've got
But I said I think there's more of them like us
And he said you might be right
We'll find them in time somewhere
I had a dream
He was a great balloon maker
Then they outlawed all balloons
He packed up and put his things away
He asked me to waste some time
Come out to see the sun
You're all we've got
But I said I think there's more of them like us
And he said you might be right
We'll find them in time somewhere
And I had a dream
Come out to see the sun
You're all we've got
But I said I think there's more of them like us
And he said you might be right
We'll find them in time somewhere
The balloons were never known for speed
There's no way you'll get sweet
You asked me to waste some time
Come out to see the sun
You're all we've got
But I said I think there's more of them like us
And he said you might be right
We'll find them in time somewhere
I had a dream
He was a great balloon maker
Then they outlawed all balloons
He packed up and put his things away
He asked me to waste some time
Come out to see the sun
You're all we've got
But I said I think there's more of them like us
And he said you might be right
We'll find them in time somewhere
And I had a dream
Come out to see the sun
You're all we've got
But I said I think there's more of them like us
And he said you might be right
We'll find them in time somewhere
Lyrics submitted by missteenwordpower
Balloon Maker Lyrics as written by Eric Pulido Eric Nichelson
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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hm.. hard to say.
Maybe about those who appreciate simplicity, and wonder what it is that drives the majority of people to make life so complicated. All most of us want is "slow paced" heartwarming experiences, like those found in the balloon ride. But the natural tendency to strive for power and competition is making it impossible for people to remain like the balloon maker.
Not quite sure, but this band has also taken a strong hold on me, and I even find them more pleasing than the great musicians of the 60's era, which I thought I'd never find myself saying about any band.
The new album seems to have a lot of existentialist themes, and is becoming extremely relevant for modern times in my opinion..
To me the balloon maker represents innocence and freedom. At first, I didn't see him as a balloon like weather-balloon/hot-air balloon maker, but rather a man who makes balloon animals and makes people happy, telling them to "come out and see the sun"/go outside and play.
But now I think it is a hot-air balloon maker, who tries to lift people up in his balloons and takes them to on travels that aren't meant to fast (not meant for speed) but just slow scenic routes fo those who enjoy the journey.
After the boy rejects his friend (you), he states that there are others like him and the balloon maker and he must wait.
The balloon maker packs his things away and ask the narrator to go waste time and to see the sun as well, but again the narrator rejects this, b/c he feels that rather than him going alone and being "all they'ev got", that there are others.
I think the narrator says that there's people who want to come with them, people who want to enjoy life slowly and take in the scenary. The balloon maker agrees b/c he too shares the same dream.
Unfortunately, before they can do anything, balloons are outlawed, and all that's left is the dream, the hope, the faith that people will stop trying to go so fast and move slowly, like a balloon travelling through the clouds, wasting time.
Well, let me say that I am honored to be the first person to make a comment on this song, but saddened to say that the reason there are no comments is because few people have heard of this band, which happens to be my favorite band of all time. To me the album "Bamnan and Silvercork", has to be somewhat of a concept album. This song "Balloon Maker" is about a one man's attempt to regained his achievement. Through the eyes of the young he tried to regain what he thought might be the answer. The world can look much different from one eye to the next. I think what this story conveys is this: Even through the changing of times, our lives are based on the same roots of a humans basic needs and desires. No matter when you were born or where you live or grow up. And in the end the old man knew that his young friend would succeed in the same way he did in the past. Sometimes the hardships through life mask the visions of our future. I think we try to remember the good parts of our life and try to recapture those moments day to day. If not... We'll find them in time somewhere. And I had agreed...Yeah.
I agree in the sense i agree that the balloon maker symbolizes innocence, but more specifically i believe it is about growing up in general. The balloons signify having childish fun or as the song puts it, wasting some time to come see the sun, the outlawing of balloons is societies definition of what being grown up is. Beautiful.
The booklet says:
he was a great balloon maker the balloons were never known for speed there's no way to get speed he asked me to waste some time
come out to see the sun you're all we've got but i said i think there's more of them like us and he said you might be right we'll find them in time somewhere and i had agreed yeah
he was a great balloon maker then they outlawed all balloons he packed up and put his things away he asked me to waste some time
chorus x2
maybe i'm misreading the content, but i thought there might be a reference in there to the kind of balloons one would find being made at a concert... they are certainly, like hot air balloons, not meant for speed
they are not exactly "outlawed", and the actual gas is perfectly legal, in the appropriate container, but if one is found to possess the container as well as empty or full balloons, one may be fined (the sale of such gas requires a special license and it is obviously not intended to be packaged in balloons and consumed). however, this fine was not always on the books, and even to this day is not actually levied by the police in many situations, who instead may opt to simply confiscate the materials.. for, um, inspection, i suppose... but if a certain area becomes known for such things, officials will often change their tune and begin to hand out fines as a deterrent. hence the line about it becoming outlawed. i have no idea if this is the meaning of the song, but i can say that i have seen those who enjoy making these kind of balloons and they certainly do need to be reminded to "come out and see the sun", and they are equally likely to ask you to "waste some time"