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.
Jesus Christ, that's a pretty face
The kind you'd find on someone I could save
If they don't put me away
Well, it'll be a miracle
Do you believe you're missing out
That everything good is happening somewhere else?
But with nobody in your bed
The night's hard to get through
And I will die all alone
And when I arrive, I won't know anyone
Well, Jesus Christ, I'm alone again
So what did you do those three days you were dead?
Cause this problem's gonna last more than the weekend
Well, Jesus Christ, I'm not scared to die
I'm a little bit scared of what comes after
Do I get the gold chariot?
Do I float through the ceiling?
Do I divide and fall apart?
Cause my bright is to slight to hold back all my dark
And the ship went down in sight of land
And at the gates does Thomas ask to see my hands?
I know you'll come in the night like a thief
But I've had some time alone to hone my lying technique
I know you think that I'm someone you can trust
But I'm scared I'll get scared, and I swear I'll try to nail you back up
So, do you think that we could work out a sign
So I'll know it's you and that it's over so I won't even try?
I know you'll come for the people like me
But we all got wood and nails
Tongue tied to a hating factory
But we all got wood and nails
And we turn out hate in factories
Yeah, we all got wood and nails
And we turn out hate in factories
Yeah, we all got wood and nails
And we sleep inside of this machine
The kind you'd find on someone I could save
If they don't put me away
Well, it'll be a miracle
Do you believe you're missing out
That everything good is happening somewhere else?
But with nobody in your bed
The night's hard to get through
And I will die all alone
And when I arrive, I won't know anyone
Well, Jesus Christ, I'm alone again
So what did you do those three days you were dead?
Cause this problem's gonna last more than the weekend
Well, Jesus Christ, I'm not scared to die
I'm a little bit scared of what comes after
Do I get the gold chariot?
Do I float through the ceiling?
Do I divide and fall apart?
Cause my bright is to slight to hold back all my dark
And the ship went down in sight of land
And at the gates does Thomas ask to see my hands?
I know you'll come in the night like a thief
But I've had some time alone to hone my lying technique
I know you think that I'm someone you can trust
But I'm scared I'll get scared, and I swear I'll try to nail you back up
So, do you think that we could work out a sign
So I'll know it's you and that it's over so I won't even try?
I know you'll come for the people like me
But we all got wood and nails
Tongue tied to a hating factory
But we all got wood and nails
And we turn out hate in factories
Yeah, we all got wood and nails
And we turn out hate in factories
Yeah, we all got wood and nails
And we sleep inside of this machine
Lyrics submitted by EMOrtal, edited by Mellow_Harsher, fob0403, OrcMaster, brandnewdude, contraddiction, ghostyyy, EternalTearsOfSorrow
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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.
No Surprises
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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.
Just A Little Lovin'
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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
I just think the song is about Jesse feeling alone and feeling like he's made mistakes in his life that he hopes will be forgiven.
He seems to be wondering about what will happen when he dies and if he will be forgiven, or allowed into heaven... I dont think it's against God or question anything except for his own actions...
I think Jesse has shown this in others songs too... Like in 'You Wont Know' Jesse says, "They say in Heaven there's no husbands or wives but when I show up they'll be completely out of their forgiveness supply.". Idk let me know if you agree or not...
Oh and "‘Cuz my bright, is too sly, to hold back all my dark." I really love that line for some reason.
I think the songs a little deeper than most think. Truthfully, I feel like this boys all over the place on this one. The first verse leads me to believe that his wife passed, he feels alone, and is worried about where she ended up (heaven or hell). He also wonders if he will be with her again one day. Wonders what will happen to him when his time comes. <br /> <br /> The part about his blight being to slight to hold back all his dark is easier understood like this. My good isn't good enough to hold down all my evil.<br /> <br /> This ship went down in sight of land refers back to the original tragedy(wife dying).<br /> <br /> Im not real clear on what Thomas asking to see his hands is all about. <br /> <br /> Well, thanks to the bible we all know he will come like a thief in the night. He seems to think he will still have time to sharpen up on his lying skills according to the line,"But Ive had sometime, O Lord, to hone my lying technique". <br /> <br /> The next part is the tricky one. This is why its dangerous to share the total truth about your own personal relationship with the Lord. He seems to think God trusts him and he shouldn't. He's scared he would betray him if the Lord were to trust him. Then he goes on to say that he wants to work out a sign with God so he will know when it is God for sure that has come to take him home. If he has this sign, he'll "know its over and he wont even try"(try to fight it). <br /> <br /> Pretty much the rest of the song, "I know you're coming for the people like me, We all have wood and nails and we turn out hate facories", is just him saying he knows we all are about the same. We all have free will and we all turn out sins with it.<br /> <br /> Just my understanding of the song. Its a wonderfully executed message. Loved it.