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 were two sisters lived in a bower
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
There came a knight to be their wooer
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
He courted the eldest with glove and ring
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
But he loved the youngest above anything
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
The eldest she was vexed sair
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
She being so grim and the other so fair
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
One morning that was fine and clear
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
she called upon her sister dear
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
'Sister, oh sister, will you take a walk
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
To hear the small birds whistle their notes?'
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
The youngest stood all on a stone
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
And by came the eldest and pushed her in
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
'Sister, oh sister, reach out your hand
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
And I'll give you my gold and land'
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
'Sister, I'll not reach out my hand
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
For all your gold and all your land'
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
'Sister, oh sister, reach out your glove
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
And I promise Sir William will be your true love'
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
'Sister, I'll not reach out my glove
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
For I know Sir William will be my love'
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
Sometimes she sank, sometimes she swam
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
Until she came to the meal miller's dam
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
The miller's son came riding by
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
And he saw this maid come floating in
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
'Father, oh father, come to your dam
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
It's either a mermaid or a milk-white swan'
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
His father he hastened to his dam
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
And he pulled out a drowned maiden
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
By there came a maestro fine
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
Who plays for nobility while they dine
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
And he took three strands of her long yellow hair
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
And with them strung his fiddle so rare
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
And then the fiddle was heard to sing
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
'Yonder sits my father the king'
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
And then as plain as plain could be
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
'Yonder sits my sister, who drowned me'
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie.
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
There came a knight to be their wooer
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
He courted the eldest with glove and ring
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
But he loved the youngest above anything
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
The eldest she was vexed sair
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
She being so grim and the other so fair
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
One morning that was fine and clear
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
she called upon her sister dear
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
'Sister, oh sister, will you take a walk
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
To hear the small birds whistle their notes?'
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
The youngest stood all on a stone
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
And by came the eldest and pushed her in
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
'Sister, oh sister, reach out your hand
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
And I'll give you my gold and land'
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
'Sister, I'll not reach out my hand
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
For all your gold and all your land'
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
'Sister, oh sister, reach out your glove
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
And I promise Sir William will be your true love'
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
'Sister, I'll not reach out my glove
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
For I know Sir William will be my love'
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
Sometimes she sank, sometimes she swam
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
Until she came to the meal miller's dam
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
The miller's son came riding by
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
And he saw this maid come floating in
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
'Father, oh father, come to your dam
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
It's either a mermaid or a milk-white swan'
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
His father he hastened to his dam
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
And he pulled out a drowned maiden
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
By there came a maestro fine
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
Who plays for nobility while they dine
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
And he took three strands of her long yellow hair
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
And with them strung his fiddle so rare
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
And then the fiddle was heard to sing
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
'Yonder sits my father the king'
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie
And then as plain as plain could be
Binorrie, oh Binorrie
'Yonder sits my sister, who drowned me'
By the bonny mill dams o' Binorrie.
Lyrics submitted by isaacstepek
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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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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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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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Great version of a great song,