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.
The gutter may profess its love
Then hollow in its segregations
But there are just so many eyes
You are different
And a stronger girl would brush this off in flight
Never giving more than a frowning hour
But you have let your heart descide
Loss has conquered you
And you won one too many fights
Wearing many hats everytime
But you wont win here tonight
You've made it through the direst of straits alright
Can you help it if plain love now seems less interesting?
That you havent changed an ounce in my eyes
And I can not lecture you
Does anything i say seem relveant at all?
You've been at the helms since you were just five
And I can not claim to be more than a passenger
Well, you won one too many fights
Wearing all of your clothes at the same time
And you wont end here tonight
Oh girl, sail her, don't sink her this time
This time
Just a moment or two from now
Not a mind will retain even our tricks
For the thoughts that we struggled to tell
And now our stack of cards just fell
To settle this for once and for all
The light no longer shows the cracks around your door
And I have no lantern to light your way home tonight
You are not some saint who's above
When I need a stroll through the flowers
You've got so much more to dream up
Oh girl, sail her, don't sink her this time
This time, this time
Then hollow in its segregations
But there are just so many eyes
You are different
And a stronger girl would brush this off in flight
Never giving more than a frowning hour
But you have let your heart descide
Loss has conquered you
And you won one too many fights
Wearing many hats everytime
But you wont win here tonight
You've made it through the direst of straits alright
Can you help it if plain love now seems less interesting?
That you havent changed an ounce in my eyes
And I can not lecture you
Does anything i say seem relveant at all?
You've been at the helms since you were just five
And I can not claim to be more than a passenger
Well, you won one too many fights
Wearing all of your clothes at the same time
And you wont end here tonight
Oh girl, sail her, don't sink her this time
This time
Just a moment or two from now
Not a mind will retain even our tricks
For the thoughts that we struggled to tell
And now our stack of cards just fell
To settle this for once and for all
The light no longer shows the cracks around your door
And I have no lantern to light your way home tonight
You are not some saint who's above
When I need a stroll through the flowers
You've got so much more to dream up
Oh girl, sail her, don't sink her this time
This time, this time
Lyrics submitted by constant
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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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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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Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
really cute song, i have never heard an actual shins recording of it, but when james mercer performs it solo i think it really showcases his voice/songwriting/lyrics
the meanings pretty obvious, he's pretty sick of this girl's attitude and he's putting his foot down:"but you wont win here tonight"