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.
There's blood and feathers
On my dumb paws
You ain't nothing but a dead duck
I ain't nothing but a hound dog.
You seep in the windows and vents.
I lay in the grass and I lose your scent.
If God gave me grace, then why aren't I graceful?
My joints are frozen, cold, old, and idle.
If it's by air
I don't want to know
If we all don't take cover
Then we're all gonna fall back in love again
You work late and you fight off your boss
Your patient dies, take the night off
Now since they worked out
All the bugs
If you have enough money
You can buy love
You find out your reception seating
And I'll sing, sing, sing
These ten lords still leaping
And the mark on your breast from your baby teething
Give him my name if he is needing.
If it's by sea
I don't want to know
If we all don't take cover
Then we're all gonna fall back in love again
Bless your beautiful hide.
And curse your god when your friends die
If it's by air
I don't wanna know
If we all don't take cover
Then we're all gonna fall back in love again
You work late, you fight off your boss
Your patient dies, take the night off.
On my dumb paws
You ain't nothing but a dead duck
I ain't nothing but a hound dog.
You seep in the windows and vents.
I lay in the grass and I lose your scent.
If God gave me grace, then why aren't I graceful?
My joints are frozen, cold, old, and idle.
If it's by air
I don't want to know
If we all don't take cover
Then we're all gonna fall back in love again
You work late and you fight off your boss
Your patient dies, take the night off
Now since they worked out
All the bugs
If you have enough money
You can buy love
You find out your reception seating
And I'll sing, sing, sing
These ten lords still leaping
And the mark on your breast from your baby teething
Give him my name if he is needing.
If it's by sea
I don't want to know
If we all don't take cover
Then we're all gonna fall back in love again
Bless your beautiful hide.
And curse your god when your friends die
If it's by air
I don't wanna know
If we all don't take cover
Then we're all gonna fall back in love again
You work late, you fight off your boss
Your patient dies, take the night off.
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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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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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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.
Amazing
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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.
its "fight off your pulse"