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.
It's just the way it starts
The way it feels
Submissioned while trying to find the lead
One thing to another
The way it goes
The plans you were making are turning cold
One by one, they set your fall
So distinguished yet having to go through it all
Forged into something that wasn't meant...
To be in the shadow of make believe!
Round two
You're trying to make me
Bound to
The circle within me
[Chorus]
I gave it away
And now I am so tired
There's nothing more left to fight
I'll be learning to change
(Two lives worth of reckoning)
It hurts to be blind
And how i've been fading lights
I've been crawling to pick my side
And it left me deranged
(From the reckoning)
It's just the way I need
To plant that seed
Won't settle for nothing
Won't settle with greed
All I'm asking for
Is to reach the point
Where I won't dwell
On resentful times
Round two
You're trying to make me
Bound to
The circle within me
Oooh, right!
[Chorus]
(When I see that graceful day)
The hours remain
From the scar to the threshold
(It will be the greatest slay)
The forced mind will turn
Won't stick or burn
(I'm holding on, it goes deep within)
Releasing the guilt
Please encourage my will
(It will be the sweetest release)
The struggle makes free
And the air I would breathe!
[Chorus]
The way it feels
Submissioned while trying to find the lead
One thing to another
The way it goes
The plans you were making are turning cold
One by one, they set your fall
So distinguished yet having to go through it all
Forged into something that wasn't meant...
To be in the shadow of make believe!
Round two
You're trying to make me
Bound to
The circle within me
[Chorus]
I gave it away
And now I am so tired
There's nothing more left to fight
I'll be learning to change
(Two lives worth of reckoning)
It hurts to be blind
And how i've been fading lights
I've been crawling to pick my side
And it left me deranged
(From the reckoning)
It's just the way I need
To plant that seed
Won't settle for nothing
Won't settle with greed
All I'm asking for
Is to reach the point
Where I won't dwell
On resentful times
Round two
You're trying to make me
Bound to
The circle within me
Oooh, right!
[Chorus]
(When I see that graceful day)
The hours remain
From the scar to the threshold
(It will be the greatest slay)
The forced mind will turn
Won't stick or burn
(I'm holding on, it goes deep within)
Releasing the guilt
Please encourage my will
(It will be the sweetest release)
The struggle makes free
And the air I would breathe!
[Chorus]
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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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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.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
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.
It's just the way it starts The way it feels Submissioned while trying to find the lead One thing to another The way it goes The plans you were making are turning cold One by one, they set your fall So distinguished yet having to go through it all Forged into something that wasn't meant... To be in the shadow of make believe!
Round.. two... You're trying to make me Bound.. to... The circle within me
[Chorus] I gave it away And now I am so tired There's nothing more left to fight I'll be learning to change (Two lives worth of reckoning)
It hurts to be blind And how i've been fading lights I've been crawling to pick my side And it left me deranged (From the reckoning) [Chorus]
It's just the way I need To plant that seed Won't settle for nothing Won't settle with greed All I'm asking for Is to reach the point Where I won't dwell On resentful times
Round.. two... You're trying to make me Bound.. to... The circle within me
Oooh... Right!
[Chorus] x1
(When I see that graceful day) The hours remain From the scar to the threshold (It will be the greatest slay) The forced mind will turn Won't stick or burn (I'm holding on, it goes deep within) Releasing the guilt Please encourage my will (It will be the sweetest release) The struggle makes free And the air.. I - WOULD - BREATHE!
[Solo: Coudret & Wichers]
[Chorus] x1
I think this song is about giving up your old faith. My analysis isn't that well- thought through, though.
I guess its about making a difficult decision, and being unable to pick between to things. Overthinking the decision too much, and making him go insane.