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.
I can't help myself
I'm addicted to a life of material
It's some kind of joke
I'm obsessively opposed to the typical
All we care about is
Runway models, Cadillacs and liquor bottles
Give me something, I wanna be
Retro glamour, Hollywood, yes, we live for the
Fame (fame)
Doin' it for the fame (fame)
'Cause we wanna live the life of the rich and famous
Fame (fame)
Doin' it for the fame (fame)
'Cause we got a taste for champagne and endless fortune
Fame, fame, baby, the fame, fame
We live for the fame, fame, baby, the fame, fame
Isn't it a shame, shame, baby? A shame, shame
In it for the fame, fame, baby, the fame, fame
I can see myself
In the movies with my picture in city lights
Photograph my mind
And whatever else you'd like to shoot, you decide
All we care about is
Pornographic girls on film and body plastic
Give me something I wanna see
Television, and hot blondes in odd positions
Fame (fame)
Doin' it for the fame (fame)
'Cause we wanna live the life of the rich and famous
Fame (fame)
Doin' it for the fame (fame)
'Cause we got a taste for champagne and endless fortune
Fame, fame, baby, the fame, fame
We live for the fame, fame, baby, the fame, fame
Isn't it a shame, shame, baby? A shame, shame
In it for the fame, fame, baby, the fame, fame
Don't ask me how or why (or why)
But I'm gonna make it happen this time
My teenage dream tonight (tonight)
Yeah, I'm gonna make it happen this time (this time)
Fame
(Fame, doin' it for the fame)
('Cause we wanna live the life of the) rich and famous
Fame (fame)
Doin' it for the fame (fame)
'Cause we wanna live the life of the rich and famous
Fame (fame)
Doin' it for the fame (fame)
'Cause we got a taste for champagne and endless fortune
Fame (fame)
Doin' it for the fame (fame)
'Cause we wanna live the life of the rich and famous
Fame (fame)
Doin' it for the fame (fame)
'Cause we got a taste for champagne and endless fortune (fame)
I'm addicted to a life of material
It's some kind of joke
I'm obsessively opposed to the typical
All we care about is
Runway models, Cadillacs and liquor bottles
Give me something, I wanna be
Retro glamour, Hollywood, yes, we live for the
Fame (fame)
Doin' it for the fame (fame)
'Cause we wanna live the life of the rich and famous
Fame (fame)
Doin' it for the fame (fame)
'Cause we got a taste for champagne and endless fortune
Fame, fame, baby, the fame, fame
We live for the fame, fame, baby, the fame, fame
Isn't it a shame, shame, baby? A shame, shame
In it for the fame, fame, baby, the fame, fame
I can see myself
In the movies with my picture in city lights
Photograph my mind
And whatever else you'd like to shoot, you decide
All we care about is
Pornographic girls on film and body plastic
Give me something I wanna see
Television, and hot blondes in odd positions
Fame (fame)
Doin' it for the fame (fame)
'Cause we wanna live the life of the rich and famous
Fame (fame)
Doin' it for the fame (fame)
'Cause we got a taste for champagne and endless fortune
Fame, fame, baby, the fame, fame
We live for the fame, fame, baby, the fame, fame
Isn't it a shame, shame, baby? A shame, shame
In it for the fame, fame, baby, the fame, fame
Don't ask me how or why (or why)
But I'm gonna make it happen this time
My teenage dream tonight (tonight)
Yeah, I'm gonna make it happen this time (this time)
Fame
(Fame, doin' it for the fame)
('Cause we wanna live the life of the) rich and famous
Fame (fame)
Doin' it for the fame (fame)
'Cause we wanna live the life of the rich and famous
Fame (fame)
Doin' it for the fame (fame)
'Cause we got a taste for champagne and endless fortune
Fame (fame)
Doin' it for the fame (fame)
'Cause we wanna live the life of the rich and famous
Fame (fame)
Doin' it for the fame (fame)
'Cause we got a taste for champagne and endless fortune (fame)
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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.
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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.
Am I the only one who thinks this song is kind of being sarcastic? Like, she's talking tongue-in-cheek, saying that it's ridiculous?