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.
At first we started out real cool
Taking me places I ain't never been
But now, you're getting comfortable
Ain't doing those things you did no more
You're slowly making me pay for
Things your money should be handling
And now you ask to use my car (car)
Drive it all day and don't fill up the tank
And you have the audacity to even come and step to me
Ask to hold some money from me until
You get your check next week
You trifling
Good for nothing type of brother
Silly me
Why haven't I found another?
A baller, when times get hard need someone to help me out
Instead of a scrub like you who don't know what a man's about
Can you pay my bills?
Can you pay my telephone bills?
Can you pay my automo-bills?
If you did then maybe we could chill
I don't think you do
So, you and me are through
Can you pay my bills?
Can you pay my telephone bills?
Can you pay my automo-bills?
If you did then maybe we could chill
I don't think you do
So, you and me are through
Now you've been maxing out my cards (cards)
Giving me bad credit buying me gifts with my
Own ends
Haven't paid the first bill
But you're steady heading to the mall
Going on shopping sprees perpetrating to your friends that you be balling
And then you use my cell phone (phone)
Calling whoever that you think at home
And then when the bill comes all of a sudden you be acting dumb
Don't know where none of these calls come from
When your mama's number's here more than once
You trifling
Good for nothing type of brother
Silly me
Why haven't I found another?
A baller, when times get hard need someone to help me out
Instead of a scrub like you who don't know what a man's about
Can you pay my bills?
Can you pay my telephone bills?
Can you pay my automo-bills?
If you did then maybe we could chill
I don't think you do
So, you and me are through
Can you pay my bills? (Bills)
Can you pay my telephone bills? (Bills)
Can you pay my automo-bills? (Bills)
If you did then maybe we could chill
I don't think you do
So, you and me are through
You trifling, good for nothing type of brother (good for nothing)
Oh silly me, why haven't I found another? (Found another)
You trifling, good for nothing type of brother (hey)
Oh silly me, why haven't I found another? (Ooh)
You trifling, good for nothing type of brother (oh no no)
Oh silly me, why haven't I found another? (Oh no, no, no, no)
You trifling, good for nothing type of brother (good for nothing)
Oh silly me, why haven't I found another?
Can you pay my bills?
Can you pay my telephone bills?
Can you pay my automo-bills?
If you did then maybe we could chill
I don't think you do
So, you and me are through
Can you pay my bills? (Pay my bills)
Can you pay my telephone bills? (Pay my bills)
Can you pay my automo-bills? (Telephone bills)
If you did then maybe we could chill
I don't think you do (I don't think you do)
So, you and me are through
Can you pay my bills?
Can you pay my telephone bills? (Bills)
Can you pay my automo-bills? (Bill)
If you did then maybe we could chill
I don't think you do
So, you and me are through
Can you pay my bills?
Can you pay my telephone bills?
Can you pay my automo-bills?
If you did then maybe we could chill
I don't think you do
So, you and me are through
Taking me places I ain't never been
But now, you're getting comfortable
Ain't doing those things you did no more
You're slowly making me pay for
Things your money should be handling
And now you ask to use my car (car)
Drive it all day and don't fill up the tank
And you have the audacity to even come and step to me
Ask to hold some money from me until
You get your check next week
You trifling
Good for nothing type of brother
Silly me
Why haven't I found another?
A baller, when times get hard need someone to help me out
Instead of a scrub like you who don't know what a man's about
Can you pay my bills?
Can you pay my telephone bills?
Can you pay my automo-bills?
If you did then maybe we could chill
I don't think you do
So, you and me are through
Can you pay my bills?
Can you pay my telephone bills?
Can you pay my automo-bills?
If you did then maybe we could chill
I don't think you do
So, you and me are through
Now you've been maxing out my cards (cards)
Giving me bad credit buying me gifts with my
Own ends
Haven't paid the first bill
But you're steady heading to the mall
Going on shopping sprees perpetrating to your friends that you be balling
And then you use my cell phone (phone)
Calling whoever that you think at home
And then when the bill comes all of a sudden you be acting dumb
Don't know where none of these calls come from
When your mama's number's here more than once
You trifling
Good for nothing type of brother
Silly me
Why haven't I found another?
A baller, when times get hard need someone to help me out
Instead of a scrub like you who don't know what a man's about
Can you pay my bills?
Can you pay my telephone bills?
Can you pay my automo-bills?
If you did then maybe we could chill
I don't think you do
So, you and me are through
Can you pay my bills? (Bills)
Can you pay my telephone bills? (Bills)
Can you pay my automo-bills? (Bills)
If you did then maybe we could chill
I don't think you do
So, you and me are through
You trifling, good for nothing type of brother (good for nothing)
Oh silly me, why haven't I found another? (Found another)
You trifling, good for nothing type of brother (hey)
Oh silly me, why haven't I found another? (Ooh)
You trifling, good for nothing type of brother (oh no no)
Oh silly me, why haven't I found another? (Oh no, no, no, no)
You trifling, good for nothing type of brother (good for nothing)
Oh silly me, why haven't I found another?
Can you pay my bills?
Can you pay my telephone bills?
Can you pay my automo-bills?
If you did then maybe we could chill
I don't think you do
So, you and me are through
Can you pay my bills? (Pay my bills)
Can you pay my telephone bills? (Pay my bills)
Can you pay my automo-bills? (Telephone bills)
If you did then maybe we could chill
I don't think you do (I don't think you do)
So, you and me are through
Can you pay my bills?
Can you pay my telephone bills? (Bills)
Can you pay my automo-bills? (Bill)
If you did then maybe we could chill
I don't think you do
So, you and me are through
Can you pay my bills?
Can you pay my telephone bills?
Can you pay my automo-bills?
If you did then maybe we could chill
I don't think you do
So, you and me are through
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Bills, Bills, Bills Lyrics as written by Kandi Burruss Kelendria Rowland
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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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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“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.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.