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.
Back in the years before blood lost all its flavour
You slipped and fell but fell into my favour
But I
Chose the land between (?)
'Cos I heard they were looking for a saviour
So I focussed my attentions on the wars in the west
Drew up a battle plan and put my armies to the test
Came walking through the sands
And you were wearing that dress
Lost my answers to the boys in the mess
Dropped to my knees and began to confess...
I control the world
You controlled my heart
And life was easier than watching evil empires fall apart
(Oh yes it was)
You saw that only my blood lust could tear us apart
So you raided my artillery for a tranquiliser dart
You steadied; took your aim and shot me straight in the heart
Let your tender reign over me, start
I spend the next twenty years with my head between your knees
All the while making sure you heard my cautionary pleas
There's a price on my head at which nobody would sneeze
'cos I sailed the, sailed the seven seas
Accumulating so many enemies
They would fall for me
And I would fall to you
And your the closest thing I'll ever have to Waterloo
When they write my history
Will they include all your conquests of me?
I control the world
You controlled my heart
Your light would always guide my mother in the dark
Your sight would be preserved in statues and in art
And life was easier than watching evil empires fall apart.
You slipped and fell but fell into my favour
But I
Chose the land between (?)
'Cos I heard they were looking for a saviour
So I focussed my attentions on the wars in the west
Drew up a battle plan and put my armies to the test
Came walking through the sands
And you were wearing that dress
Lost my answers to the boys in the mess
Dropped to my knees and began to confess...
I control the world
You controlled my heart
And life was easier than watching evil empires fall apart
(Oh yes it was)
You saw that only my blood lust could tear us apart
So you raided my artillery for a tranquiliser dart
You steadied; took your aim and shot me straight in the heart
Let your tender reign over me, start
I spend the next twenty years with my head between your knees
All the while making sure you heard my cautionary pleas
There's a price on my head at which nobody would sneeze
'cos I sailed the, sailed the seven seas
Accumulating so many enemies
They would fall for me
And I would fall to you
And your the closest thing I'll ever have to Waterloo
When they write my history
Will they include all your conquests of me?
I control the world
You controlled my heart
Your light would always guide my mother in the dark
Your sight would be preserved in statues and in art
And life was easier than watching evil empires fall apart.
Lyrics submitted by ashleybah, edited by ThisIsBenSilver
Watching Evil Empires Fall Apart Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © SWISS CHOCOLATE MUSIC
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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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"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:
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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
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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.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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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.
I thinks its "your sight would be preserved in statues and in art" and "Came walking through the sands"- makes more sense in this war context
otherwise pretty sound lyrics i dont know what he says after "chose the land between" either.
big fan of E6 this song is awesome.