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.
There's a place in the town, a statue,
She'd make me wait beneath,
But its magnif icent archways, archways,
That's where I'd go to weep.
I'm right up onto the counter
Showgirl, perfect the slow body-roll.
And breakaway from the anger, oh, hoe,
Just got to let it all go,
But she loves me
More than anyone who wouldn't lay a hand.
She keeps mace spray,
For you can't rely on the common man.
That night up under the starlight,
Holly, you call, 'the great blistering blue,
A strange formation came down from the ceiling,
And it began to move.
And so the shattering shards of glass fell,
And glistened this way and that,
But she would say I won't find my way through the plaster
I'm an empty hourglass in the sand,
But she loves me,
More than anyone who wouldn't speak like that.
She keeps mace spray,
For you can't rely on the common man.
But it is alright,
Here in the time and the place I am,
You leave a light on all night,
Just to remind of the place I am.
She'd make me wait beneath,
But its magnif icent archways, archways,
That's where I'd go to weep.
I'm right up onto the counter
Showgirl, perfect the slow body-roll.
And breakaway from the anger, oh, hoe,
Just got to let it all go,
But she loves me
More than anyone who wouldn't lay a hand.
She keeps mace spray,
For you can't rely on the common man.
That night up under the starlight,
Holly, you call, 'the great blistering blue,
A strange formation came down from the ceiling,
And it began to move.
And so the shattering shards of glass fell,
And glistened this way and that,
But she would say I won't find my way through the plaster
I'm an empty hourglass in the sand,
But she loves me,
More than anyone who wouldn't speak like that.
She keeps mace spray,
For you can't rely on the common man.
But it is alright,
Here in the time and the place I am,
You leave a light on all night,
Just to remind of the place I am.
Lyrics submitted by poizen-ivy
Mace Spray Lyrics as written by H. Shannon H. Mcglone
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
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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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Page
Ed Sheeran
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There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
To me it sounds to me like her relationship with this woman, be it a friend, mother or her lover is abusive. But she accepts it because there's this rhetoric about doing this because I love you, I'm protecting you. "she loves me more that anyone who wouldn't raise a hand" (in anger).
This woman is so afraid of men, the world that she's stifling the writer, "she keeps mace spray for you can't rely on the common man"
I agree with monster that the second verse is about an epiphany, but this woman is once again trying to stifle it by telling her it wont amount to anything. "But she would say I won't find my way through the plaster; I'm an empty hourglass in the sand"
But once again the writer is so under the thumb that these words aren't seen as coming from manipulation but love.
the second stanza to me is about an attempt to escape from the control through sex, she has to 'let it all go'. but then she can find the strength or she's afraid so she convinces herself 'she loves me'.