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.
Oh no, why can't you get along?
Ok I know it's not my place
I've got to say something
I've got to say something
I've got speak
She'll never leave
And you can never throw her out
Impossible to conceive
You'd rather be with than without
That's just the fear talking
That just the fear talking
That's just the fear
Don't let it take you
Like it nearly took me, fear
Don't let it fool you
Like it nearly fooled me, fear
Remember the good old days
But love is like a dragonfly
So beautiful, it will die
And disappear before your eyes
I'm no philosopher
I am no poet
I'm just trying to help you out
Don't let it fool you
Like it nearly fooled me, fear
Don't let it take you
Like it nearly took me
And so you sit and wait
For another man to take your place
And when, when he comes
Would you welcome him with open arms?
You'll feel a hundred years younger
You'll feel a hundred years younger
You'll fee no fear
Don't let it take you
Like it nearly took me, fear
Don't let it fool you
Like it nearly fooled me, fear
Don't kill you
Like it nearly killed me, fear
Ok I know it's not my place
I've got to say something
I've got to say something
I've got speak
She'll never leave
And you can never throw her out
Impossible to conceive
You'd rather be with than without
That's just the fear talking
That just the fear talking
That's just the fear
Don't let it take you
Like it nearly took me, fear
Don't let it fool you
Like it nearly fooled me, fear
Remember the good old days
But love is like a dragonfly
So beautiful, it will die
And disappear before your eyes
I'm no philosopher
I am no poet
I'm just trying to help you out
Don't let it fool you
Like it nearly fooled me, fear
Don't let it take you
Like it nearly took me
And so you sit and wait
For another man to take your place
And when, when he comes
Would you welcome him with open arms?
You'll feel a hundred years younger
You'll feel a hundred years younger
You'll fee no fear
Don't let it take you
Like it nearly took me, fear
Don't let it fool you
Like it nearly fooled me, fear
Don't kill you
Like it nearly killed me, fear
Lyrics submitted by littleRoom
Hamoa Beach Lyrics as written by Ian Thomas Ball Benjamin Joseph Ottewell
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Page
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There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
At a gig, Ian has introduced the song as a "jaunty little tune about divorce". There you go.
Haha I love Ian!
Anyway, following on from that thought, I always thought this song was about a breakup due to infertility. Cheerful, I know, but "Impossible to conceive/You'd rather be with than without" made me think about how all-consuming trying to have a baby can be, sometimes at the cost of your relationships. If that's what the song is about, it's not particularly subtle - I never was one for seeing the deeper meaning in things...
Makes sense to me. And it's something a man and woman must give serious thought to prior to entering into a relationship. Something like that is a deal breaker. People who want children should make sure they date those who want children. Also think the song is about fear and how it can become a cage if not recognized and dealt with...
Yeah, a face-to-face conversation of sorts sounds like a good idea to me too.
I think that the "impossible to conceive" is more related to conceiving (or giving birth to) the idea of living without the other person rather than literally conception.
Definitely about being in a relationship too long.
The singer is explaining that the subject has a fear of being alone, which is the only thing keeping him in a relationship with a woman he no longer loves. Their love, though beautiful once, has died.
The speaker is saying "what are you waiting for? Someone else to take her from you? You'll never let that happen. You have to let her go yourself. It'll give you your life back. You won't feel like the rest of your life is predetermined/effectively over."
There's fear of being alone, but the more important fear is the fear of being with someone who you shouldn't be with.