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.
Once upon a time, I believe it was a Tuesday when I caught your eye
And we caught onto something
I hold onto the night, you looked me in the eye and told me you loved me
Were you just kidding?
'Cause it seems to me, this thing is breaking down
We almost never speak
I don't feel welcome anymore
Baby what happened? Please tell me
'Cause one second it was perfect
Now you're halfway out the door
And I stare at the phone, he still hasn't called
And then you feel so low, you can't feel nothing at all
And you flashback to when he said, "Forever and always"
Oh, and it rains in your bedroom
Everything is wrong
It rains when you're here and it rains when you're gone
'Cause I was there when you said, "Forever and always"
Was I out of line?
Did I say something way too honest, made you run and hide
Like a scared little boy
I looked into your eyes
Thought I knew you for a minute, now I'm not so sure
So here's to everything coming down to nothing
Here's to silence, that cuts me to the core
Where is this going?
Thought I knew for a minute, but I don't anymore
And I stare at the phone, he still hasn't called
And then you feel so low, you can't feel nothing at all
And you flashback to when he said forever and always
Oh-oh, and it rains in your bedroom
Everything is wrong
It rains when you're here and it rains when you're gone
'Cause I was there when you said, "Forever and always"
You didn't mean it baby
I don't think so
Oh, oh-oh
Oh, back up, baby, back up
Did you forget everything?
Back up, baby, back up
Did you forget everything?
'Cause it rains in your bedroom
Everything is wrong
It rains when you're here and it rains when you're gone
'Cause I was there when you said, "Forever and always"
Oh, I stare at the phone, he still hasn't called
And then you feel so low you, can't feel nothing at all
And you flashback to when we said, "Forever and always"
And it rains in your bedroom
Everything is wrong
It rains when you're here and it rains when you're gone
'Cause I was there when you said forever and always
You didn't mean it baby
You said, "Forever and always", yeah
And we caught onto something
I hold onto the night, you looked me in the eye and told me you loved me
Were you just kidding?
'Cause it seems to me, this thing is breaking down
We almost never speak
I don't feel welcome anymore
Baby what happened? Please tell me
'Cause one second it was perfect
Now you're halfway out the door
And I stare at the phone, he still hasn't called
And then you feel so low, you can't feel nothing at all
And you flashback to when he said, "Forever and always"
Oh, and it rains in your bedroom
Everything is wrong
It rains when you're here and it rains when you're gone
'Cause I was there when you said, "Forever and always"
Was I out of line?
Did I say something way too honest, made you run and hide
Like a scared little boy
I looked into your eyes
Thought I knew you for a minute, now I'm not so sure
So here's to everything coming down to nothing
Here's to silence, that cuts me to the core
Where is this going?
Thought I knew for a minute, but I don't anymore
And I stare at the phone, he still hasn't called
And then you feel so low, you can't feel nothing at all
And you flashback to when he said forever and always
Oh-oh, and it rains in your bedroom
Everything is wrong
It rains when you're here and it rains when you're gone
'Cause I was there when you said, "Forever and always"
You didn't mean it baby
I don't think so
Oh, oh-oh
Oh, back up, baby, back up
Did you forget everything?
Back up, baby, back up
Did you forget everything?
'Cause it rains in your bedroom
Everything is wrong
It rains when you're here and it rains when you're gone
'Cause I was there when you said, "Forever and always"
Oh, I stare at the phone, he still hasn't called
And then you feel so low you, can't feel nothing at all
And you flashback to when we said, "Forever and always"
And it rains in your bedroom
Everything is wrong
It rains when you're here and it rains when you're gone
'Cause I was there when you said forever and always
You didn't mean it baby
You said, "Forever and always", yeah
Lyrics submitted by volcom_LOVE, edited by Mellow_Harsher
Forever & Always Lyrics as written by Taylor Swift
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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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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Great version of a great song,
No Surprises
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Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
I love the piano version of this song. And I hate that Joe hurt her, but I'm also a fan of the Jonas Brothers. And Joe's my favourite lol
LOL.
I think the mood is just really different in the two versions. The original feels more angry, while the piano version just feels more like shes sad and hurt. They are both great, and it's really cool how just the instrumentals completely change the mood of a song.
its breathtakingly beautiful..x Makes me cry to know how much that idiot Joe hurt her.x
I used to agree with all my friends that Joe was wonderful and we talked about how Taylor and him were a great match and how much they loved each other. I just can't believe he ditched her. My big question, WHY?
I like this version so much more. You can hear all of her emotions in the song. You can hear how much he hurt her. If I were Joe hearing this song, especially this version with all her emotion, I would be too ashamed to leave my house. I love when she says "Was I out of line? Did I say something way too honest Made you run and hide like a scared little boy?" When she says scared little boy, it just makes him sound like a pathetic looser. Again, ashamed to leave the house.
I remember when my most recent ex broke up with me. The song I listened to was "Breathe", also by Taylor Swift, but then I found out I'd been lied to and the relationship really meant nothing. That was when I started listening to "Forever and Always" because I was so angry that I'd been fooled again, going along with the capitalized letters in the album "WHEN YOU PLAY THESE GAMES WE'RE BOTH GOING TO LOSE". A few months passed, and I got over it. Then, when I first heard the piano version, it brought back all the betrayal and the sadness that I hadn't really had a chance to let myself feel before. I was always mad that I'd been lied to, but I never was sad about it. The piano version is a perfect reflection of the progression of a breakup, from the anger to the sadness, and, although I hate to admit it, "I STILL MISS WHO I THOUGHT HE WAS".
i think that this song is sooooo much better in piano version!!! i mean i know exactally what she is talking abouthere i went through the same thing. my ex-boyfriend and i thought that i really liked him....guess i was wrong. he broke up with me over the phone, i guess i understand, it was over the summer. but still, he could have waited until he saw me again. then again, i don't want to be in a relation ship that was fake relationship the whole time and he woudn't talk to me and i would feel bad.....whateves he was a mistake but as the saying is, better than to have loved and lost than never loved at all. x)
i'm in love with this version in my opinion the feeling of it has changed the original version she's mad and yelling at joe in this version she's almost crying asking him why did he breakup with her if you know what i mean and it's like she misses him i say that because of the hidden message which is STILL MISS WHAT I THOUGHT HE WAS
Prefer this so so much as the piano version, I mean yeah I liked the 'original' version but this is so much more heartfelt and moving. I love it :D
I think the original version is like the aftermath of this, this is depression and sad and then the original is mad and asking yourself "why the hell would he do this to me?" and stuff. I have recommended this for people who have just broken up with someone (but the original) because this one is too depressing. But Taylor gets over things like me, my friends are the exact opposite. They just go straight to mad. I don't. So yeah. That might not have made any sense, but oh well.