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.
All the kids, all the kids these days
All the kids, all the kids these days
Do you really wanna be that way?
Do you really wanna be that way?
Let me say, let me say, let me say
Let me say, let me say, let me say
Does it really have to be that way?
Does it really have to be that way?
And, did you know you could make me scream?
And, did you know you could make me scream?
Like the kids in the neighborhood
Like the kids in the neighborhood
Tell me what to say, tell me what to say
Tell me what to say, tell me what to say
Did you do your best today?
Did you do your best today?
All the girls, all the girls these days
All the girls, all the girls these days
Did you do your best today?
Did you do your best today?
All the boys, all the boys these days
All the boys, all the boys these days
Look away, look away, look away
Look away, look away, look away
Champagne, cocaine, champagne, cocaine, champagne, cocaine, champagne
You better just manage your weight
You better just manage your weight
Let me say, let me say, let me say
Let me say, let me say, let me say
You could do your best today
You could do your best today
All the kids, all the kids these days
Do you really wanna be that way?
Do you really wanna be that way?
Let me say, let me say, let me say
Let me say, let me say, let me say
Does it really have to be that way?
Does it really have to be that way?
And, did you know you could make me scream?
And, did you know you could make me scream?
Like the kids in the neighborhood
Like the kids in the neighborhood
Tell me what to say, tell me what to say
Tell me what to say, tell me what to say
Did you do your best today?
Did you do your best today?
All the girls, all the girls these days
All the girls, all the girls these days
Did you do your best today?
Did you do your best today?
All the boys, all the boys these days
All the boys, all the boys these days
Look away, look away, look away
Look away, look away, look away
Champagne, cocaine, champagne, cocaine, champagne, cocaine, champagne
You better just manage your weight
You better just manage your weight
Let me say, let me say, let me say
Let me say, let me say, let me say
You could do your best today
You could do your best today
Lyrics submitted by AndrewIndie, edited by jdc00
Tell 'Em Lyrics as written by Derek Miller Sydney Alexis Krauss
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Light Up The Sky
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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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@[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.
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Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Amazing
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Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
It's like saying what the hell are we to do with these kids now? They don't even bother to think about their actions. ("Do you really wanna be that way?") There is room for positive change.
She is urging them to listen, but struggles to get their attention (let me say, let me say, let me say...). She is asking twice. (Like adults say, do I have to ask you twice?!) The kids don't listen, so what's left to say... "Did you do your best today?"
Girls, did you do your best today? (girls are often SEEN as angelic and innocently in need of direction, so she'll ask them still. hopefully.) Boys? Oh, god. I won't ask, and I don't want to know what you've been doing. (cause boys tend to be SEEN as mischievous and naughty. young boys? immature. etc. so she looks away.)
Then she asks,"Can we (indeed look away)?" When all this is happening: cocaine, champagne, cocaine, champagne... Expensive narcotics. The word "narcotic" points to numbing substances and painkillers, so like numbing your life. The two substances are very indulgent.
"You better just measure it, you better just measure him." Well, if I can't stop you, at least be safe about it. Don't take too much(measure it). Measure him- consider him carefully, like judging character, make sure he isn't a horrible person. I guess, that might refer to avoiding sleazy boyfriends or bad friends.
"Let me say, let me say..." Oh, and one last thing, you COULD do your best. It can start today.
I made the song sound a little PSA, but it's really just the narrator stepping forward and being real about it all.
I feel like when you really read the lyrics it all becomes so obvious. I hope it doesn't seem redundant that I post these interpretations. It upsets me when people say that lyrics mean nothing, because obviously they do mean SOMETHING. At the same time, some people either overanalyze the content or just misinterpret it altogether. I do it, too, but I just want to get my word in and hopefully help someone form an opinion about a song's meaning rather than dismiss it's lyrics completely. <br /> Doesn't seem fair to the song or the artist.
Good insights.