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.
There's more to this than meets the eye.
You were the back seat driver, everyone knows that, around here.
And we have fallen, and we're reprised,
So many times I know, but you were in my life.
I still reside where you remain, (no I cannot)
I've made the same mistakes again, (yet fall behind)
I won't escape missed misery, (cause you're with my heart)
The death inside of you and me. (in one last dance)
I still remember everything you said, (no I cannot)
And I'm still listening, (yet fall behind)
And if you want, or need to know; (cause you're with my heart)
You'll always be my heart and soul.
In parallel worlds we align.
I hope you're not alone, I hope you're doing fine, and happy.
And if all I have to learn, is how to be sure I'll let go,
You can be my guide.
I still reside where you remain, (no I cannot)
I've made the same mistakes again, (yet fall behind)
I won't escape missed misery, (cause you're with my heart)
The death inside of you and me. (in one last dance)
I still remember everything you said, (no I cannot)
And I'm still listening, (yet fall behind)
And if you want, or need to know; (cause you're with my heart)
You'll always be my heart and soul.
I still reside where you remain, (no I cannot)
I've made the same mistakes again, (yet fall behind)
I won't escape missed misery, (cause you're with my heart)
The death inside of you and me. (in one last dance)
I still remember everything you said, (no I cannot)
And I'm still listening, (yet fall behind)
And if you want, or need to know; (cause you're with my heart)
You'll always be my heart and soul.
You were the back seat driver, everyone knows that, around here.
And we have fallen, and we're reprised,
So many times I know, but you were in my life.
I still reside where you remain, (no I cannot)
I've made the same mistakes again, (yet fall behind)
I won't escape missed misery, (cause you're with my heart)
The death inside of you and me. (in one last dance)
I still remember everything you said, (no I cannot)
And I'm still listening, (yet fall behind)
And if you want, or need to know; (cause you're with my heart)
You'll always be my heart and soul.
In parallel worlds we align.
I hope you're not alone, I hope you're doing fine, and happy.
And if all I have to learn, is how to be sure I'll let go,
You can be my guide.
I still reside where you remain, (no I cannot)
I've made the same mistakes again, (yet fall behind)
I won't escape missed misery, (cause you're with my heart)
The death inside of you and me. (in one last dance)
I still remember everything you said, (no I cannot)
And I'm still listening, (yet fall behind)
And if you want, or need to know; (cause you're with my heart)
You'll always be my heart and soul.
I still reside where you remain, (no I cannot)
I've made the same mistakes again, (yet fall behind)
I won't escape missed misery, (cause you're with my heart)
The death inside of you and me. (in one last dance)
I still remember everything you said, (no I cannot)
And I'm still listening, (yet fall behind)
And if you want, or need to know; (cause you're with my heart)
You'll always be my heart and soul.
Lyrics submitted by Msimina
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This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
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Yo La Tengo
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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,
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
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“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
nobody wants to dive into the meaning of this, really? I find Brigade so underrated..unfair 'cause they're amazing!!! they're one of my fave bands and Will Simpson is a fantastic songwriter!
Anyway. I think this song is about death..not exactly physical death, maybe the "death" of a relationship? But there's a bunch of clues in there that makes me believe it's about loving someone, not being able to tell them, and they've passed on, and you want to tell them how much you love them and how much they meant to you: 1) the line "...but you WERE in my life" -regret, perhaps? 2) the line and underlying vocal "the death inside of you and me (in one last dance)" -it's got permanence all over it..death, last dance 3) ...and basically the entire chorus gives a sad, "goodbye forever" vibe 4) the line "in parallel worlds we align" -the one singing's on earth while the other's a spirit in another world, most likely heaven 5) the line "...if all I have to learn is how to be sure I let go, you can be my guide" -I can't help but think this is something someone who cannot deal with death of a loved one would say
So there you go, that's my interpretation! I could dissect it more but I'm afraid I'd eat up all the space here ;)