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.
In the darkest street
Far away from here
I can feel your skin
Stripped and bare
And my only threat
Is a burning cigarette
A smoking face upon me
Me
So come on, yeah come on
It’s an illusion now go get your own
So come on, yeah come on
Insist upon it
Jump up upon it yeah
Th-u-u-ump
Th-u-u-ump
Now my strength is weak
And the sinners like sleeping
And you’re all I want
Come here, come here
And if only the night
Was forever Id fight
For you, for you, for you
For You
So come on, yeah come on
It’s an illusion now go get your own
So come on, yeah come on
Insist upon it
Jump up upon it yeah
So come on, yeah come on
It’s an illusion now go get your own
So come on, yeah come on
Twist round on it
Thump up upon it yeah
Th-u-u-ump
Th-u-u-ump
Now I see
I’m starting to feel
You’re on your way
Running toe to heel
And inside my space
Is a hidden place
I don’t want to wait
Cause I’m always waiting
So come on, yeah come on
It’s an illusion now go get your own
So come on, yeah come on
Insist upon it
Jump up upon it yeah
So come on, yeah come on
It’s an illusion now go get your own
So common, yeah common
Twist round on it
Thump up upon it yeah
Th-u-u-ump
Th-u-u-ump
Far away from here
I can feel your skin
Stripped and bare
And my only threat
Is a burning cigarette
A smoking face upon me
Me
So come on, yeah come on
It’s an illusion now go get your own
So come on, yeah come on
Insist upon it
Jump up upon it yeah
Th-u-u-ump
Th-u-u-ump
Now my strength is weak
And the sinners like sleeping
And you’re all I want
Come here, come here
And if only the night
Was forever Id fight
For you, for you, for you
For You
So come on, yeah come on
It’s an illusion now go get your own
So come on, yeah come on
Insist upon it
Jump up upon it yeah
So come on, yeah come on
It’s an illusion now go get your own
So come on, yeah come on
Twist round on it
Thump up upon it yeah
Th-u-u-ump
Th-u-u-ump
Now I see
I’m starting to feel
You’re on your way
Running toe to heel
And inside my space
Is a hidden place
I don’t want to wait
Cause I’m always waiting
So come on, yeah come on
It’s an illusion now go get your own
So come on, yeah come on
Insist upon it
Jump up upon it yeah
So come on, yeah come on
It’s an illusion now go get your own
So common, yeah common
Twist round on it
Thump up upon it yeah
Th-u-u-ump
Th-u-u-ump
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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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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.
from: bertieblackman.com/news/bertie-releases-thump-singlevideo
For Bertie Blackman, 'Thump' captures that "feeling of walking home late at night; your footsteps hit the pavement and your whole body pulsates. You become really aware of your breath and heartbeat."
Bertie says: "Sometimes you're walking home and you think someone might be following you and they're not; it's just the echo of your footsteps. That's what this single is all about."
To me though, the song sounds like a woman who is longing for some lovin'.
"And you're all I want, Come here, come here" ... "And inside my space, Is a hidden place I don't want to wait, Cause I'm always waiting"
The prominent use of elk antlers throughout the video clip seems a not-so-subtle hint of all things 'horny' too ;)
Great song in any case!
i love this song :)
The J's say that this song is about harboring fantasies. that sounds about correct to me :)
i always thought she was saying 'so come on, yeah come on' but this song is so catchy, liked at first listen.