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.
Like maggots, they breed with headlines, dining the wounds in breathless cadavers.
Mirror blind and aimed for gold, now watch a terror turn on its own.
And they race, and they race, to the carcass rot to feed.
And just past decay, this design delivers life, but they prefer to play cancer.
In chase for the skies, towers up-rise, with fear, the earth quakes for what's forgot.
They cut like the butchers with pride as their cleavers, as the tide prowls their shores.
They never listened when we screamed, "Wash the blood from your hands!
Rip off the veils! Wash the blood from your hands and run, see what you forgot!"
Then the clouds met the sands as the cyclones began.
In epic charge rose the hordes, all branches and thorns.
As the stone from their walls broke legs as they crawled,
The stars had no mercy, they screamed for blood in their fall.
Six eyes pierce the night and now...
24 teeth in each of the 3 makes 72 white knives your new ending.(Repeat x 1)
With every slaughter bring your kingdom home.(Repeat x 1)
How are we deserving this pain we are feeling?
How are we deserving this pain with healing?
And on trails these symphonies of agony...
Cant you see? We're still demanding self-pity.
Look to the moves of the things surrounding.
We're the only ones, the only ones who keep from growing.
One day the reaping will return, and we'll be butchers no more.
Bring this slaughter home, and send everything above.
Mirror blind and aimed for gold, now watch a terror turn on its own.
And they race, and they race, to the carcass rot to feed.
And just past decay, this design delivers life, but they prefer to play cancer.
In chase for the skies, towers up-rise, with fear, the earth quakes for what's forgot.
They cut like the butchers with pride as their cleavers, as the tide prowls their shores.
They never listened when we screamed, "Wash the blood from your hands!
Rip off the veils! Wash the blood from your hands and run, see what you forgot!"
Then the clouds met the sands as the cyclones began.
In epic charge rose the hordes, all branches and thorns.
As the stone from their walls broke legs as they crawled,
The stars had no mercy, they screamed for blood in their fall.
Six eyes pierce the night and now...
24 teeth in each of the 3 makes 72 white knives your new ending.(Repeat x 1)
With every slaughter bring your kingdom home.(Repeat x 1)
How are we deserving this pain we are feeling?
How are we deserving this pain with healing?
And on trails these symphonies of agony...
Cant you see? We're still demanding self-pity.
Look to the moves of the things surrounding.
We're the only ones, the only ones who keep from growing.
One day the reaping will return, and we'll be butchers no more.
Bring this slaughter home, and send everything above.
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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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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
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.
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.
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.
Does anyone understand "24 teeth in each of the 3 makes 72 white knives your new ending"?
I've been wondering that too