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.
Whatever I want from life
So much is covered with you
So I'm checking with force
Why I couldn't move to
Yeah yeah whatever is rushing me
Making sense what I try to prove
Don't give me average life
I'll give you vague moods
I've got a thought in my pocket
And it's pointing at you
Strange situations that we get into
Live your life as a shock
Leave a sign and then leave
Strange motivation that I really need
And now the thought from the pocket
To the tip of tongue
Won't move
I just compress it and go on
Whatever I want from life
Today there's so much to feel
Between the average thoughts
I'm getting real deal
Yeah yeah whatever you want from me
We could just check it with two
Don't give me average life
I want the vague moods
I've got a thought in my pocket
And it's pointing at you
Strange situations that we get into
Live your life as a shock
Leave a sign and then leave
Strange motivation that I really need
And now the thought from the pocket
To the tip of tongue
Won't move
I just compress it and go on
Today was so much of nothing
I was running the town
Checking all of the junkies
And the hookers and doubt
But it gave me a view
On the thing that we have
I am not very far
But I'm willing to check
The guy was crying out loud
I couldn't help it and stared
All the cleaners in town
Had no respect in their heads
But it gave me a view
On the thing that we have
I am not very far
But well
Whatever you want from life
Today there's so much to feel
Between the average thoughts
Let's go real deal
Yeah yeah whatever is rushing me
Making sense what I prove
Don't give me average life
I'll give you vague moods
Come on
So much is covered with you
So I'm checking with force
Why I couldn't move to
Yeah yeah whatever is rushing me
Making sense what I try to prove
Don't give me average life
I'll give you vague moods
I've got a thought in my pocket
And it's pointing at you
Strange situations that we get into
Live your life as a shock
Leave a sign and then leave
Strange motivation that I really need
And now the thought from the pocket
To the tip of tongue
Won't move
I just compress it and go on
Whatever I want from life
Today there's so much to feel
Between the average thoughts
I'm getting real deal
Yeah yeah whatever you want from me
We could just check it with two
Don't give me average life
I want the vague moods
I've got a thought in my pocket
And it's pointing at you
Strange situations that we get into
Live your life as a shock
Leave a sign and then leave
Strange motivation that I really need
And now the thought from the pocket
To the tip of tongue
Won't move
I just compress it and go on
Today was so much of nothing
I was running the town
Checking all of the junkies
And the hookers and doubt
But it gave me a view
On the thing that we have
I am not very far
But I'm willing to check
The guy was crying out loud
I couldn't help it and stared
All the cleaners in town
Had no respect in their heads
But it gave me a view
On the thing that we have
I am not very far
But well
Whatever you want from life
Today there's so much to feel
Between the average thoughts
Let's go real deal
Yeah yeah whatever is rushing me
Making sense what I prove
Don't give me average life
I'll give you vague moods
Come on
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This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
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Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
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Hayalperest
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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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
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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.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
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“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.