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're hiding in your hall, alone with your hunger
Can't break through the wall, of the prison within
No reason to be proud, don't go so near it
You bow your head in shame, afraid you will fear it
Open up your dreams
Seven silver keys
To open up your dreams
You need seven silver keys
A war against yourself, you win or you lose here
Something new to fear or nothing to do
Paradise hotel, bombs in your cellar
Mr clean'n'safe, your governor of hell
Open up your dreams
Seven silver keys
To open up your dreams
You need seven silver keys
The vultures of the mind, the vampire guerrilla
Invite the underground, give in to your self
Let loose the hounds of Hades, that means you can kill her
Unlock the secret wells, your life can begin
Can't break through the wall, of the prison within
No reason to be proud, don't go so near it
You bow your head in shame, afraid you will fear it
Open up your dreams
Seven silver keys
To open up your dreams
You need seven silver keys
A war against yourself, you win or you lose here
Something new to fear or nothing to do
Paradise hotel, bombs in your cellar
Mr clean'n'safe, your governor of hell
Open up your dreams
Seven silver keys
To open up your dreams
You need seven silver keys
The vultures of the mind, the vampire guerrilla
Invite the underground, give in to your self
Let loose the hounds of Hades, that means you can kill her
Unlock the secret wells, your life can begin
Lyrics submitted by SteveHNo96
Seven Silver Keys Lyrics as written by Leif Edling
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
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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.
I've heard a few things about this one -- one thing that seems to be a dominant theme is defeating the demons of depression. A lot of these scenarios are what depressed people go through in their daily lives, although done as euphamisms.
A lot of people feel depression is a prison which they can't escape from, and while they hunger to get out, they're so afraid of what will happen that they stay where they are.
Anxiety and fear causes depressed people to be at war -- do they stay where they know what's going to happen, or do they venture forth and try new things, risking something bad happening to them? This is particularly true in the second part of the second verse. "Paradise Hotel, bombs in your cellar". Even in the best scenario, the tortured soul envisions something going wrong, and therefore you play it safe, meanwhile missing out on a great opportunity, hence becoming the "Guv'nor of Hell".
The third verse is telling you that inside of you are the tools you need to destroy the devil that is depression. By unleashing your true potential as a human (the hounds of Hades), you can kill the black demon lady of depression and begin your life free of the curse of depression.