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.
Five glasses changed my mind.
Seems like the ticking hands are taking their time.
I guess I've been at home for longer than it takes to unwind,
So slap me if I step out of line.
Now in smaller spaces, careless lust intoxicated.
Away from prying eyes and rabid smiles and everythings shattering.
My invitation was involuntary dilation and now I cant recall your name.
I think we've met before
It was last christmas on our parent's accord
You where the young man in the costume that was hard to ignore
And I was feeling hopelessly bored...
Now you're conversations scholarships and occupations.
You look so different than before when... Never mind... Anyway...
This reckless violation, tarnishing my reputation
Has left me nothing kind to say
Seems like the ticking hands are taking their time.
I guess I've been at home for longer than it takes to unwind,
So slap me if I step out of line.
Now in smaller spaces, careless lust intoxicated.
Away from prying eyes and rabid smiles and everythings shattering.
My invitation was involuntary dilation and now I cant recall your name.
I think we've met before
It was last christmas on our parent's accord
You where the young man in the costume that was hard to ignore
And I was feeling hopelessly bored...
Now you're conversations scholarships and occupations.
You look so different than before when... Never mind... Anyway...
This reckless violation, tarnishing my reputation
Has left me nothing kind to say
Lyrics submitted by PrettyLikeDrugs
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Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"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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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.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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.
I think this song's about something that happened when it wasn't supposed to-- an 'accident'-- and how people decide to ignore it to avoid "awkwardness."
Going into a little more detail, my interpretation is the speaker's run into a person who she once met at a Christmas party, and is bringing herself up to date on what she remembers about him for the first two verses. In the third she is addressing him, tactfully reminding him of the party they met at while not mentioning what actually took place between them. In the final verse she observes how he's changed, then grows cold towards him.
And going into further detail, I'll explain how I came to that conclusion:
Line 1: After drinking five glasses of liquor, she becomes more agreeable. Line 2: Suggesting she said she would leave at a certain time or in a certain amount of time, and while that time has passed she is still there. Line 3: Suggesting the speaker is a bit of a "stay-at-home," not someone who goes out to party a lot. Line 4: Suggesting that she doesn't know how to act in this 'environment,' and needs guidance.
Line 5: The speaker and whoever she's addressing have gone somewhere more 'private' or 'smaller.' She/they are careless, lust-ridden and intoxicated. Line 6: Again just stressing that they're away from everyone else, in privacy. Line 7: The exact wording is a bit difficult, but I believe that what's being expressed is that she (in retrospect) is observing the invitation she gave him (to go back to her house, or metaphorically the invitation to have sex with her) was sort of an involuntary one, as either : 1) it was only due to her intoxicated state; it was never clearly thought through or 2) it was just extrapolated from what had happened already (talking, making out, whatever) and never actually made-- "involuntary dilation"; an involuntary 'expansion' (extrapolation); basically an assumption. So the whole line could mean something like "The invitation was just something you assumed. I can't even remember your name."
Lines 8-11: Now she's addressing the person directly, reminding him of the circumstances under which they met-- a Christmas party.
Line 12: She observes he's become a more "caught up in the game"-type person. Line 13: While observing further change in him, her tactful form of address slips up and she goes to bring up the 'awkward' memory, which they are both pretending to have forgotten. Lines 14-15: Possibly out of embarassment after her slip-up, she states that what happened held no pleasantness and that there is no pleasantness between them.
Your interpretation is so well done. five dozen cookies. Loving it.