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.
On the cloud of unknowing
My world seems open
Every satellite up here is watching
But I was here from the very start
Trying to find a way to your heart
All the days are forgetting
They've gone out with the tide
Lost at sea somewhere, waiting
Like setting suns at the rodeo
Trying to find someone you'll never know
Oh, sinking love
On the cloud of unknowing
Every satellite up here is watching
Waiting to see what the morning brings
May bring sunshine on its wings
My world seems open
Every satellite up here is watching
But I was here from the very start
Trying to find a way to your heart
All the days are forgetting
They've gone out with the tide
Lost at sea somewhere, waiting
Like setting suns at the rodeo
Trying to find someone you'll never know
Oh, sinking love
On the cloud of unknowing
Every satellite up here is watching
Waiting to see what the morning brings
May bring sunshine on its wings
Lyrics submitted by njikolai, edited by Mbtravis99
Cloud of Unknowing Lyrics as written by Damon Albarn Bobby Womack
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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I think this song is hopeful, to the point where its painful for the person, or to use a better word is full of longing and aching. he longs for something he can never have, or that maybe, he is holdig onto the slim hope that he will find it, but as the days go by he is actually getting farther and farther away from it. time is passing, and he feels like he's sinking. people have said on this page that's it's about love, and I agree, but it isn't limited to that in my opinion. longing for someone to love you, to be with them or to get a loved one that you lost back again, are amount many possible themes. or maybe he wants time back. 'all the days are forgetting, they've gone out with the tide.' that verse has a lot of meaning. it just makes me all sad when I listen to it. because this guys life seems so empty, extremely painful, and like he's holding on to hopes that are hurting him. maybe even grieving him. his life is slipping away, and he knows that it is.
for me, I think of 2D gazing out over the horizon on the plastic beach, where he is trapped, feeling alone and with a sense of melancholy. maybe he's sad about life, maybe he misses noodle. but we all miss noodle :'( I know sounds corny, like really corny, but for me this scene that I picture in my head when I hear this song has an incredible amount of sadness accompanied by it. there are so many sad things that've happened to 2D...maybe he's depressed. poor guy.
made me teary on more than one occasion :'( but what can I say? its an amazing song, by an amazing band, with deep, deep meaning that I can sort of relate to. one of the best on plastic beach.
Damn, I actually started tearing up at your interpretation(I know it sounds sarcastic but I'm not!)<br /> So much of it makes sense and I can really relate to it!