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.
A north wind sinks
The fence around a lot full of debris
Near the corner of Memorial and me.
Where resurrected
Brick and drywall lean back into place,
There’s a terrified reflection of my face.
All alone at the gleaming knife display
In the Army Surplus Sales,
As the dusk descends and my inspiration fails.
Ghost-filled discount parkas,
Sleeping bags,
Peer at me from
The crumpled dark.
Inky bruises punched into the sky by bolts of light,
And then leak across the body of tonight.
While rain and thunder drop and roll,
Then stop short of a storm,
Leave the air stuck with this, waiting to be born.
As I stand before an unresponsive
Automatic door --
Just another door that won’t open for me anymore --
The exit red gets brighter then blinks off.
Presses me into
The crumpled dark.
There’s a billboard by the highway
That says “Welcome to;”
“Bienvenue à;"
But no sign to show you when you go away.
And our demolitions punctuate
All we mean to say, then leave too late.
So I’ll make my shaky exclamation mark
With a handful of
Crumpled dark.
The fence around a lot full of debris
Near the corner of Memorial and me.
Where resurrected
Brick and drywall lean back into place,
There’s a terrified reflection of my face.
All alone at the gleaming knife display
In the Army Surplus Sales,
As the dusk descends and my inspiration fails.
Ghost-filled discount parkas,
Sleeping bags,
Peer at me from
The crumpled dark.
Inky bruises punched into the sky by bolts of light,
And then leak across the body of tonight.
While rain and thunder drop and roll,
Then stop short of a storm,
Leave the air stuck with this, waiting to be born.
As I stand before an unresponsive
Automatic door --
Just another door that won’t open for me anymore --
The exit red gets brighter then blinks off.
Presses me into
The crumpled dark.
There’s a billboard by the highway
That says “Welcome to;”
“Bienvenue à;"
But no sign to show you when you go away.
And our demolitions punctuate
All we mean to say, then leave too late.
So I’ll make my shaky exclamation mark
With a handful of
Crumpled dark.
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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.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
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This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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Hayalperest
Hayalperest
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.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
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.
For about 50 years, a store called United Army Surplus Sales was located at the corner of Memorial Boulevard and Portage Avenue in Winnipeg. You can see a picture of it here: farm4.static.flickr.com/3179/2935061519_39a2ef3d7f.jpg
It was torn down in 2008, and they've since built a new building for the University of Winnipeg on the site.
In the song, a person is standing near the debris after the demolition, remembering the store that used to be there, and the person he used to be. He thinks about the way the past disappears without you even noticing it, just like there's no sign to tell you when you've left the city, and you're left with the things you wish you had said when you had the chance.
When playing this live, John said "Heart of the Continent" is the the new road sign you'll see when driving into Winnipeg. It replaced the former sign (and Weakerthan's song), "One Great City."
How he does it...I don't know. But this man can write a song..and write it well. This song is wonderfully depressing; poetic genius really. Like honestly, how many songwriter can put "unresponsive automatic door" in a song and have it flow?
Somehow he can make "Unresponsive Automatic Door" rival that of "Cellar Door" in terms of beauty.