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.
Keeping up appearances
Keeping up with the Joneses
Fooling my selfish heart
Going through the motions
But I'm fooling myself
I'm fooling myself
'Cause you say you love me
And then you do it again
You do it again
You say your sorry's
And then you do it again
You do it again
Everybody thinks you're well
Everybody thinks I'm ill
Watching me fall apart
Falling under your spell
But you're fooling yourself
Your fooling yourself
'Cause you say you love me
And then you do it again
You do it again
You say your sorry's
And then you do it again
You do it again, again and again and again and again
But you're fooling yourself
You're fooling yourself
'Cause you say you love me
And then you do it again
You do it again
You say your sorry's
Then you do it again
You do it again
you say you love me
And then you do it again
You do it again
You say your sorry's
And then you do it again
You do it again, again and again and again and again
Keeping up with the Joneses
Fooling my selfish heart
Going through the motions
But I'm fooling myself
I'm fooling myself
'Cause you say you love me
And then you do it again
You do it again
You say your sorry's
And then you do it again
You do it again
Everybody thinks you're well
Everybody thinks I'm ill
Watching me fall apart
Falling under your spell
But you're fooling yourself
Your fooling yourself
'Cause you say you love me
And then you do it again
You do it again
You say your sorry's
And then you do it again
You do it again, again and again and again and again
But you're fooling yourself
You're fooling yourself
'Cause you say you love me
And then you do it again
You do it again
You say your sorry's
Then you do it again
You do it again
you say you love me
And then you do it again
You do it again
You say your sorry's
And then you do it again
You do it again, again and again and again and again
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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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Hayalperest
Hayalperest
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.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
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.
Ya... the song is totally about some guy that is trying to make himself believe that his gf loves him because she says that she does but her actions clearly speak louder than her words and she doesn't love him and he knows it... he just doesn't want to believe it. It's an amazing song I'm surprised that more people haven't commented on it.
I agree that it's about domestic violence, the lyrics and the way it's sung just hint at something darker than just a feuding couple. The part that makes me think it is about domestic violence most is "Everybody thinks you're well Everybody thinks I'm ill Watching me fall apart Falling under your spell" Everybody thinks the abuser is perfectly fine and normal and an ordinary nice person, whilst the abused is always making excuses and reasons for not going out and bruises etc. The people on the outside don't put two and two together and realise that the violence is going on. They are "watching" the abused fall apart without even realising it. Also the abuser is watching the abused fall apart and fall under their spell, so they won't ever tell anyone or anything. It just describes the domestic violence situation so tactfully and well. It's an excellent song. Love the 12 memories album.
definitely one of my favourite songs from Travis. Gosh, I think all of their song is my favourite!
he tries to tell himself that his girlfriend loves him because thats what he tells her but she does it again whatever that is...
Very good beat anyway! And I agree with the last comment, i think it means that too
I think i read that it's actually about domestic violence?
I saw Travis' performance of this song on the T In The Park coverage that was on last night. What a fantastic song, am definitely gonna have to go out and buy 'Singles' now.
I belive Fran wrote this song about his mother who was constantly abused by his dad.
I think this song is about a girl, that doesn
t treat her bf right. Maybe she is cheating on him etc, but the second verse makes me feel theres something more about it. "Everybody thinks your well Everybody thinks Im ill Watching me fall apart Falling into your spell" Yeah I think it possibly could be about how this girl controls him. Hes under her spell. She was probably sweet & kind when they met, but she changed. And I think she makes their friends and people in generally look at her as the innocent part, the one that havent done anything wrong. Theres nothing wrong with her, its just him. Hes the desperate one. He "needs" her to feel worthy. Thats the way she talks about him, and everybody thinks hes the problem, because hes getting weaker and weaker, when hes under her control. Well, that`s my opinion. Really good song by the way.great song.....