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.
You've been taking your time and you've been living on solid air
You've been walking the line and you've been living on solid air
Don't know what's going 'round inside
And I can tell you that it's hard to hide when you're living on solid air
You've been painting the blues and you've been looking through solid air
You've been seeing it through and you've been looking through solid air
Don't know what's going 'round in your mind
And I can tell you don't like what you find when you're moving through solid air
I know you, I love you
And I can be your friend, I can follow you anywhere
Even through solid air
You've been stoning it cold, you've been living on solid air
You've been finding it cold, you've been living on solid air
I don't know what's going on inside
I can tell you that it's hard to hide when you're living on solid air
You've been getting too deep, you've been living on solid air
You've been missing your sleep and you've been moving through solid air
I don't know what's going on in your mind
But I know you don't like what you find when you're moving through solid air
You've been walking your line, you've been walking on solid air
You've been taking your time but you've been walking on solid air
Don't know what's going on inside
But I can tell you that it's hard to hide when you're living on solid air
You've been walking the line and you've been living on solid air
Don't know what's going 'round inside
And I can tell you that it's hard to hide when you're living on solid air
You've been painting the blues and you've been looking through solid air
You've been seeing it through and you've been looking through solid air
Don't know what's going 'round in your mind
And I can tell you don't like what you find when you're moving through solid air
I know you, I love you
And I can be your friend, I can follow you anywhere
Even through solid air
You've been stoning it cold, you've been living on solid air
You've been finding it cold, you've been living on solid air
I don't know what's going on inside
I can tell you that it's hard to hide when you're living on solid air
You've been getting too deep, you've been living on solid air
You've been missing your sleep and you've been moving through solid air
I don't know what's going on in your mind
But I know you don't like what you find when you're moving through solid air
You've been walking your line, you've been walking on solid air
You've been taking your time but you've been walking on solid air
Don't know what's going on inside
But I can tell you that it's hard to hide when you're living on solid air
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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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This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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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,
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Recorded at 3 o'clock in the morning at a lake. So atmospheric, the song title says it all, and the lyrics 'And a new day's dawn, Going to carry on'. Some geese can be heard in the background.