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.
Went to my doctor yesterday
She said I seem to be OK
She said, "Paul, you better look around
How long you think that you can
Run that body down?
How many nights you think you can
Do what you been doin'
Who, now who you foolin?"
I came back home and I went to bed
I was resting my head
My wife came in and she said
"What's wrong, sweet boy, what's wrong?"
I told her what's wrong
I said, "Peg, you better look around
How long you think you can
Run that body down
How many nights you think you can
Do what you been doin'
Who, now, who you foolin?"
Who you foolin?
Who you foolin?
Ah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I said, "Na na na"
Kid, you better look around
How long you think that you can
Run that body down?
How many nights you think you can
Do what you been doin'
Who, now, who you foolin?
Who you foolin?
Who you foolin?
Who you foolin?
Who you foolin, yeah?
She said I seem to be OK
She said, "Paul, you better look around
How long you think that you can
Run that body down?
How many nights you think you can
Do what you been doin'
Who, now who you foolin?"
I came back home and I went to bed
I was resting my head
My wife came in and she said
"What's wrong, sweet boy, what's wrong?"
I told her what's wrong
I said, "Peg, you better look around
How long you think you can
Run that body down
How many nights you think you can
Do what you been doin'
Who, now, who you foolin?"
Who you foolin?
Who you foolin?
Ah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I said, "Na na na"
Kid, you better look around
How long you think that you can
Run that body down?
How many nights you think you can
Do what you been doin'
Who, now, who you foolin?
Who you foolin?
Who you foolin?
Who you foolin?
Who you foolin, yeah?
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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.
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
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Ed Sheeran
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“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
I think it's more innocent than that - how many nights can you be up late gigging in a row before it takes its toll? Or possibly how many consecutive nights you can stay up having fun with your newly-wed...
:) love this song
First section: Paul sees the doctor. The doctor says Paul seems to be okay, but something's worrying him: Paul appears to run his body down, that is: working so hard, specially at night, that his body deteriorates and won't take it much longer. According to the doctor, Paul needs to worry about that, and implicitly the doctor advises Paul a more relaxed lifestyle, and not kid himself any longer that he can go on the way he does.
Second section: Paul gets home, gets some rest (probably heeding the doctor's advice). Wife comes home, wondering what Paul is doing in bed at this time of day. She's afraid he's ill or something, and wants to comfort him ('sweet boy'). Now here's the plot twist: Paul suddenly takes up the doctor's role and tells his wife exactly the same thing that his doctor told him (she should worry about her physical condition, and take up a more relaxed lifestyle, or things might go wrong).
Now here's the real question this song asks: why does Paul take up his doctor's role and starts to advise his wife? Here's my answer.
At first, people might think that 'pop star' Paul has to change the lifestyle that comes with being a pop star: travelling the world, playing concerts every night, catching only a few hours of sleep etc. If this was the cause of Paul's 'running his body down', then all he has to do is take it a bit easier - professionally.
But in the second verse, Paul is looking for the cause of his problems in another direction. It's not the pop star life that worries him, but his wife's behavior. That needs to change, in order for her to remain well - and as a consequence, for himself to remain well. They're both running their body down, and both need to take a break from whatever it is that causes them to exhaust their bodies.
Now it's up to you to guess what it is that caused Paul and his wife to exhaust themselves 'night' after 'night'. I think MJT81 was spot-on when he noted that the couple had been 'just married' by the time this song was written.
In the third verse, Paul directs his advice to us, listeners ('kid'). How friendly of him to worry about our business at night! :-))
Of course, we all know that Mother Nature will ask and take her course, and that the friendly advice is not going to help much. Not the doctor's advice to Paul, not Paul's advice to his wife, and not his advice to us.
The song is just a clever joke, with a happy musical wrapping.
1 comment? HA! K so the Doctor is obviously his drug dealer and Paul himself is into some dealing and his "Doctor" is telling him "How long you think you can run that body down?" like "how long before you get caught there little buddy". It's like a self realization thing he's got going here. Really clever Paul, glad I figured it out.