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, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Thanx for nothin'
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
You were just playin' a game
I can't even know what to say
I've been hurt I've been played
And I'm so shamed
I can't even cry it's that deep
You just lie and you cheat
Like it's nothin'
See you said that you loved me too
And so I trusted you
But I guess that subconsciously I knew
But I didn't wanna face the truth
That I was only being used
And you was just frontin'
Hey boy, thanx for nothin'
I never knew enough about you babe
And I guess I only have myself to blame
Now I'm broken-hearted and shattering
'Cause you were just playin' a game
Nothin' anyone could do to convince me babe
I was livin' in a lie just a masquerade
Now I only know that I'll never be the same
But you were just playin' a game
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Thanx for nothin'
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
You were just playin' a game
Every day and every night
I stay by the phone
Never go no place so just in case
You call I'll be home
Seems like what I do is
Think about our pseudo romance
While you're somewhere burnin' diesel
In the streets havin' laughs
Somebody say you know what I'm going through
You been left with nothin' too
Too much you can't count on one hand
Singing three, four, five, six
Seven days a week you're drowning in tears
He was so insincere
Now you're layin' up in bed
Every night singing
Hey boy, thanx for nothin'
I never knew enough about you babe
And I guess I only have myself to blame
Now I'm broken-hearted and shattering
'Cause you were just playin' a game
Nothin' anyone could do to convince me babe
I was livin' in a lie just a masquerade
Now I only know that I'll never be the same
But you were just playin' a game
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
So thanx for nothin'
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
So thanx for nothin'
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Thanx for nothin'
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
You were just playin' a game
I can't even know what to say
I've been hurt I've been played
And I'm so shamed
I can't even cry it's that deep
You just lie and you cheat
Like it's nothin'
See you said that you loved me too
And so I trusted you
But I guess that subconsciously I knew
But I didn't wanna face the truth
That I was only being used
And you was just frontin'
Hey boy, thanx for nothin'
I never knew enough about you babe
And I guess I only have myself to blame
Now I'm broken-hearted and shattering
'Cause you were just playin' a game
Nothin' anyone could do to convince me babe
I was livin' in a lie just a masquerade
Now I only know that I'll never be the same
But you were just playin' a game
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Thanx for nothin'
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
You were just playin' a game
Every day and every night
I stay by the phone
Never go no place so just in case
You call I'll be home
Seems like what I do is
Think about our pseudo romance
While you're somewhere burnin' diesel
In the streets havin' laughs
Somebody say you know what I'm going through
You been left with nothin' too
Too much you can't count on one hand
Singing three, four, five, six
Seven days a week you're drowning in tears
He was so insincere
Now you're layin' up in bed
Every night singing
Hey boy, thanx for nothin'
I never knew enough about you babe
And I guess I only have myself to blame
Now I'm broken-hearted and shattering
'Cause you were just playin' a game
Nothin' anyone could do to convince me babe
I was livin' in a lie just a masquerade
Now I only know that I'll never be the same
But you were just playin' a game
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
So thanx for nothin'
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
So thanx for nothin'
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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
Hayalperest
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.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“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.
i lovee this song.
This song freaking rocks. Um, don't give your heart to stupid nothing pieces of garbage. Always trust in yourself and believe. Don't fall for crap. Mariah rocks. What she says here is the real deal.
Loves it
I split with my partner last year, and this song had so much meaning to me, its untrue. The lyrics related exactly to how I felt at the time. The chorus and hook are amazing, the melody is beautiful!! If you like this check out, Brakedown from the butterfly album!!