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.
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
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.
A very amazing, feel-good song. Puits a smile on my face everytime. I was so happy to see it in guitar hero in the last tier, as all the other songs are heavy dark songs. Was very smart of them to put in such a breezy easy going instrumental. Love it, don't care if lyrics aren't here.
As for meaning, I think it's obviously supposed to represent the cliffs of dover. I really go on a trip when I hear this whimsical tune.
This is based on Eric Johnson's visit to England where he saw the Cliffs of Dover. This is an awesome instrumental.
i first heard this song in GHIII. what a wonder composition of legendary guitar work. this is how a guitar should be played
I absolutely love this song. I love instrumentals and this DEF puts a smile on MY FACE!
Craig hit the nail on the head - "This is how a guitar should be played".
It's as if, indirectly, this song shouts a big FU out to those who think speed, or a certain type of guitar, means everything. This guitar instrumental has it all.
this is well and truly my favourite instrumental EVER its such a great song, it makes me want to sing something... but i cant cos theres nothing to sing along too lol brilliant song anyway. just goes to show that you dont need lyrics to be a great song
this song is amazing and I love how it just flows.
This song gives me goosebumps. Playing it on Guitar Hero ... I just <3 it! It definitely gets me in the mood to go have fun ... Cliffs of Dover is easily my favourite instrumental!!
(:
this song makes me so happy every time i hear it
this song makes me want to play a air guitar and just rock out
Would it ruin the song completely if someone were to write lyrics to go with this? I would, but i think the songs just too good for words.
Love this song. I'm a big proponent of music meaning something and I have never heard a song that brings out so much emotion without any words. To me it has always been a song about new beginnings and reflecting on everything. The best part of the song is it is up to every listener what it means. I don't get the same feeling in the chorus of new beginnings but certainly during the rest of the song. Love it.