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.
Nineteen ninety eight looked great on
Plain white paper on the fiftieth plane to champaign
But to tell you the truth
If I had a chance to kill it
I'd pick it up and take it and shake it and
Kiss it to death
There's something inside like a conscience
That says "you're painting floors while
Your pals are renaming the stars
Get up get up and go do what you started
If you want to be a martyr, try harder"
Go my son have you grown?
Go make a home
And put the kids in their beds
And I will talk about this year
If there was something to talk about
And you sell and you sell with your heart
So you can make a few bucks and lose a few friends
And this is the stuff that makes you
And it will be the same that breaks you
Move on get on with your life
It's pointless to play if you don't get paid
Why not go my son have you grown?
Go make a home
And put the kids in their beds
The kid's in our heads
We've got a lot of great mistakes to make
We've got a lot of chances to take
So let's take our time and hurry
Go my son has come home
I said no and made my own
And put the kids in their beds
The kid's in our heads
We've got a lot of people to fear this year
So addy if you want to be near
Sing will to the wind and worry
Oh addy do I love you
But god such things I have to do
Addy do I want to hear you
But I just can't get through
Addy do I miss you
These dreams I sing when I
Kiss you
Oh addy do I love you
But got such things I have to do
Ady do I want to hold you
But anyone may do
Addy do I miss you
These dreams I sing when I'm
Introducing the new nathan detroits
Plain white paper on the fiftieth plane to champaign
But to tell you the truth
If I had a chance to kill it
I'd pick it up and take it and shake it and
Kiss it to death
There's something inside like a conscience
That says "you're painting floors while
Your pals are renaming the stars
Get up get up and go do what you started
If you want to be a martyr, try harder"
Go my son have you grown?
Go make a home
And put the kids in their beds
And I will talk about this year
If there was something to talk about
And you sell and you sell with your heart
So you can make a few bucks and lose a few friends
And this is the stuff that makes you
And it will be the same that breaks you
Move on get on with your life
It's pointless to play if you don't get paid
Why not go my son have you grown?
Go make a home
And put the kids in their beds
The kid's in our heads
We've got a lot of great mistakes to make
We've got a lot of chances to take
So let's take our time and hurry
Go my son has come home
I said no and made my own
And put the kids in their beds
The kid's in our heads
We've got a lot of people to fear this year
So addy if you want to be near
Sing will to the wind and worry
Oh addy do I love you
But god such things I have to do
Addy do I want to hear you
But I just can't get through
Addy do I miss you
These dreams I sing when I
Kiss you
Oh addy do I love you
But got such things I have to do
Ady do I want to hold you
But anyone may do
Addy do I miss you
These dreams I sing when I'm
Introducing the new nathan detroits
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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.
Cajun Girl
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Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[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.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
I bet they were watching Guys and Dolls on the flight back, because this song is friggin' rife with references to it.
"take it and shake it and kiss it to death" (rolling dice!)/ making a few bucks / paper (ever make a marker for a bet?) / paying to play and vice versa. Don't get me wrong- I'd hate to overinterpret anything Bob Nanna has ever said, but fack dood, Nathan Detroit (Frank Sinatra) and Adelaide's romance in G&D are overshadowed by Sky Masterson (Marlon Brando) and Sarah Brown. Sky also talks a lot about his father throughout, so maybe that accounts for some of the "son" singing. Addy does do a lot of worrying-- as she should-- because Nathan doesn't exactly want to get hitched. Anyhoo, that's my insight, having come fresh from a G&D viewing with much love for Nanna in my heart.
Don't yell at me, either-- I know how you songmeanings people can be.
nathan detroit was the main character in the musical "guys and dolls". addy or adalaide was his fiance.
the rest of the song has absolutely nothing to do with guys and dolls, but that's a good thing. it rocks.
Can anyone tell me what the rest of the song is about? This is one of my favorites and I can't freakin figure it out.
I think also in " Guys n Dolls " he had a Gqambling problem, too. Maybe the song is about trying to give something up for a girl..... but something tells me that Braids Lyrics arent always about girls like they seem, that there is something more allegorical about them...I dunno
wow?!?!? this is easily one of Braid's best songs and there is only 3 comments??? Everyone Post about how amazing this song is!@!
i always thought that this song was about his fathers unwillingness to accept what his son does for a living (playing in an obscure band thats not going to make him rich.) there seems to be many layers to this song though. i never got the guys and dolls reference, i just always thouhgt of his doubts as a musician. i dont know though.
From what I remember this song has more to do with Braid than meets the eye. If I remember correctly, it is about them going on the Japanese tour and not making enough $ to cover their travel expense’s hence the “it’s pointless to play if you don’t get paid” line. There was an interview with Bob and Chris around the release of Frames and Canvas that describes it in a lot more detail.
i completely underrated this song the first time i heard it.
oh, i love this song so much.
It dosen't even matter what this song is really about.....
It's so amazing!!!
"and you sell and you sell with your heart so you can make a few bucks and lose a few friends and this is the stuff that makes you and it will be the same that breaks you"
that's so key. i think anyone who tries their hand at writing // being in a band // artistic can relate to this. you want to stay true to yourself and what you believe.... but that is often not what gets mainstream attention (i.e. the paycheck).
fuck. braid is so honest and brilliant it hurts.