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.
Sittin' here with an empty bottle
Down to my last cigarette
No missed calls and alcohol
I guess that's all that I got left
No one saw what you did to me this time
And a million times before
I look like a devil's child
You're the one who slammed the door
Everybody thinks they know me
You're the saint and I'm the phony
But you're the one who faked it all along
Everybody sees you cryin'
Lyin' lookin' like you're dyin'
Everybody knows what's goin' on
But everybody's wrong
Ain't I the kind of guy your momma
Told you not to hang around?
Sure enough you know who's gonna
Break your heart and bring you down
But she never saw you out at midnight
Actin' like you own the bar
To me you ain't no angel's child
I know who you are
Everybody thinks they know me
You're the saint and I'm the phony
But you're the one who faked it all along, yeah, yeah
Everybody sees you cryin'
Lyin' lookin' like you're dyin'
Everybody knows what's goin' on
But everybody's wrong about the one who needs
To let it out and just come clean
I've lost it all but I can't be your loser anymore
Everybody thinks they know me
You're the saint and I'm the phony
But you're the one who faked it all along, yeah, yeah
Everybody sees you cryin'
Lyin' lookin' like you're dyin'
Everybody knows what's goin' on, yeah, yeah
Everybody thinks they know me
You're the saint and I'm the phony
But you're the one who faked it all along, oh
Everybody sees you cryin'
Lyin' lookin' like you're dyin'
Everybody knows what's goin' on
But everybody's wrong
Down to my last cigarette
No missed calls and alcohol
I guess that's all that I got left
No one saw what you did to me this time
And a million times before
I look like a devil's child
You're the one who slammed the door
Everybody thinks they know me
You're the saint and I'm the phony
But you're the one who faked it all along
Everybody sees you cryin'
Lyin' lookin' like you're dyin'
Everybody knows what's goin' on
But everybody's wrong
Ain't I the kind of guy your momma
Told you not to hang around?
Sure enough you know who's gonna
Break your heart and bring you down
But she never saw you out at midnight
Actin' like you own the bar
To me you ain't no angel's child
I know who you are
Everybody thinks they know me
You're the saint and I'm the phony
But you're the one who faked it all along, yeah, yeah
Everybody sees you cryin'
Lyin' lookin' like you're dyin'
Everybody knows what's goin' on
But everybody's wrong about the one who needs
To let it out and just come clean
I've lost it all but I can't be your loser anymore
Everybody thinks they know me
You're the saint and I'm the phony
But you're the one who faked it all along, yeah, yeah
Everybody sees you cryin'
Lyin' lookin' like you're dyin'
Everybody knows what's goin' on, yeah, yeah
Everybody thinks they know me
You're the saint and I'm the phony
But you're the one who faked it all along, oh
Everybody sees you cryin'
Lyin' lookin' like you're dyin'
Everybody knows what's goin' on
But everybody's wrong
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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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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,
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“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
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Great song! Perfectly explains how break-ups are a lot of times. Basically, saying that everybody knows what happened, according to one person, when the true story hasn't been told.