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.
Born in the city, the blue and the grey
It makes me feel like a kid again to wander in this way
So I picture myself as a baby at 35 years old
In a basket on your doorstep starving and cold
But when I'm old and withered what will they say?
"He was kind gentle and funny but he played it safe"
For one night, the procession of us in the limelight
It's not right
Lighting up fires without torch songs
It's not right
The matchmaker makes up the matches
The matches give us our flames
Going to peoples' parties the court and spark is the same
The icebreaker makes conversation
The icemaker freezes our drinks
The dance floor shakes our assets and our expectations sink
For one night, the procession of us in the limelight
It's not right
Lighting up fires without torch songs
It's not right
It makes me feel like a kid again to wander in this way
So I picture myself as a baby at 35 years old
In a basket on your doorstep starving and cold
But when I'm old and withered what will they say?
"He was kind gentle and funny but he played it safe"
For one night, the procession of us in the limelight
It's not right
Lighting up fires without torch songs
It's not right
The matchmaker makes up the matches
The matches give us our flames
Going to peoples' parties the court and spark is the same
The icebreaker makes conversation
The icemaker freezes our drinks
The dance floor shakes our assets and our expectations sink
For one night, the procession of us in the limelight
It's not right
Lighting up fires without torch songs
It's not right
Lyrics submitted by hemlock_echo
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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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,
Magical
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How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.