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.
Four people all dressed in black
Down on their way to a funeral
In a four-way smash
And my coke is on the dashboard
My boys are in the back
But you don’t love me yet
So I try another tack
And the wheels on this car
Sing the funeral blues
And I’m trying to hail a taxi
While you’re racing down the hill
Sixty RPM to tell me
That you love me still
But it’s unscripted theatre
And no-one pays the bill
And I can’t get my fill
And yes I love you still
Of course I do
Just trying to make some sense
Out of these funeral blues
I was so indifferent
About what tomorrow would bring
I danced a Russian ballet
Through the paparazzi sting
And I keep telling you
To do your own thing
But then you just can’t live without me
And the nature of beauty
For me is in the part
That keeps its independent spirit
So I sing it from my heart
Tonight I feel wonderful
With the funeral blues
I’m sick and I’m tired
I’m trying to force a smile
I’m staring at your face
From across the cinema aisle
And your boyfriend is pretty
But he’s got no sense of style
So it’s you and me
Get off to the mountain
Or you and me
Make love in Florence
And let the optimists and cynics fight it out
Find out about the funeral blues
He’ll turn up with a switchblade
And an angelic face
Unscrupulous and ruthless
With his fingers on your waist
He never said he loved you
But he’s offering a taste
A taste, my darling
Of your funeral blues
A taste, my darling
Of your funeral blues
Oooh
Your funeral blues
Down on their way to a funeral
In a four-way smash
And my coke is on the dashboard
My boys are in the back
But you don’t love me yet
So I try another tack
And the wheels on this car
Sing the funeral blues
And I’m trying to hail a taxi
While you’re racing down the hill
Sixty RPM to tell me
That you love me still
But it’s unscripted theatre
And no-one pays the bill
And I can’t get my fill
And yes I love you still
Of course I do
Just trying to make some sense
Out of these funeral blues
I was so indifferent
About what tomorrow would bring
I danced a Russian ballet
Through the paparazzi sting
And I keep telling you
To do your own thing
But then you just can’t live without me
And the nature of beauty
For me is in the part
That keeps its independent spirit
So I sing it from my heart
Tonight I feel wonderful
With the funeral blues
I’m sick and I’m tired
I’m trying to force a smile
I’m staring at your face
From across the cinema aisle
And your boyfriend is pretty
But he’s got no sense of style
So it’s you and me
Get off to the mountain
Or you and me
Make love in Florence
And let the optimists and cynics fight it out
Find out about the funeral blues
He’ll turn up with a switchblade
And an angelic face
Unscrupulous and ruthless
With his fingers on your waist
He never said he loved you
But he’s offering a taste
A taste, my darling
Of your funeral blues
A taste, my darling
Of your funeral blues
Oooh
Your funeral blues
Lyrics submitted by SparksOfGold
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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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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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
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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.
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.
This song is amazing, why has no-one else commented, it's got a special connection to me as well. On the way home from my Great-Grandad's funeral my mum's car got hit by a lorry and pushed down the motorway, I discovered this song a few days later and it seemed so fitting.
The lyrics are amazing and meaningful and the music haunting my favourite lines are: [[your boyfriend is pretty but he's got no sense of style]]