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.
One, two, three, four (roll that faster, man)
One, two, three, four (oh, we gotta time that)
(The whole point of a count is that it's in time, in it?)
One, two, three, four
Well, I watch you tangle every weekend
It might start different but it ends up the same
One minute, you're casually speaking
The next it all goes up and you pour fuel on the flame
With your jerry can of words and tones
And no one's gonna start a revolution
So we best leave it well alone
And there's something that Frankie used to say
Apparently
Oh, he said, settle for a draw
Well, you're not gonna get no more
So you should settle for a draw
I told you once I'm sure, I told you once I'm sure
You should settle for a draw
Why don't you settle for a draw?
Well, you're right, it is one set of rules for her
And then another set for you
But that's just the way it is, I suppose
And there's nowt you can do
And let's not fall in the trap of answering back
I am just a beginner but she'll be the only winner
That's for sure, so take the draw, if it's available
And if it sets on fire
Don't get out your jerry can of words and tones
And no one's gonna start a revolution
So we best leave it well alone
And there's something that Frankie used to say
Apparently
Oh, he said, settle for a draw
Well, you're not gonna get no more
So you should settle for the draw
I told you once I'm sure, I told you once I'm sure
You should settle for a draw
Why don't you settle for a draw?
One, two, three, four (oh, we gotta time that)
(The whole point of a count is that it's in time, in it?)
One, two, three, four
Well, I watch you tangle every weekend
It might start different but it ends up the same
One minute, you're casually speaking
The next it all goes up and you pour fuel on the flame
With your jerry can of words and tones
And no one's gonna start a revolution
So we best leave it well alone
And there's something that Frankie used to say
Apparently
Oh, he said, settle for a draw
Well, you're not gonna get no more
So you should settle for a draw
I told you once I'm sure, I told you once I'm sure
You should settle for a draw
Why don't you settle for a draw?
Well, you're right, it is one set of rules for her
And then another set for you
But that's just the way it is, I suppose
And there's nowt you can do
And let's not fall in the trap of answering back
I am just a beginner but she'll be the only winner
That's for sure, so take the draw, if it's available
And if it sets on fire
Don't get out your jerry can of words and tones
And no one's gonna start a revolution
So we best leave it well alone
And there's something that Frankie used to say
Apparently
Oh, he said, settle for a draw
Well, you're not gonna get no more
So you should settle for the draw
I told you once I'm sure, I told you once I'm sure
You should settle for a draw
Why don't you settle for a draw?
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“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.
i have the live version of this good times