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.
Maybe it is dangerous, to invite us and to enter the room with us
But nothing's gonna light up and I'm not scared at all
When there's no more money in politics
They'll be tearing down the union brick by brick
There'll be city's running clinics about where we have been
With every self proclaimed historian
You know I know, you don't want this, you don't need this
I'm shining the light on the darkest places
You know and I know we have to face this now
We have to face this now
The days are growing dark what are we gonna do
The countrys in a bag when I turn on the tube
So maybe I'll just wake up in the afternoon (whooo)
You can change the channel on your tv
Push all the little buttons till your fingers bleed
But you won't change me (whooo)
There's nothing I would do for you, cause you don't wanna see
You know I know, you don't want this, you can't dismiss
Shining the light on the darkest places
You know and I know we have to face this now
We have to face this now
Shining the light on the darkest places
Putting the word out we have to face this now
We have to face this now
A generation, taking numbers, making calls
A shadow grew across my bedroom wall
Shining the light on the darkest places
You know and I know we have to face this now
We have to face this now
Shining the light on the darkest places
Putting the word out we have to face this now
We have to face this now
But nothing's gonna light up and I'm not scared at all
When there's no more money in politics
They'll be tearing down the union brick by brick
There'll be city's running clinics about where we have been
With every self proclaimed historian
You know I know, you don't want this, you don't need this
I'm shining the light on the darkest places
You know and I know we have to face this now
We have to face this now
The days are growing dark what are we gonna do
The countrys in a bag when I turn on the tube
So maybe I'll just wake up in the afternoon (whooo)
You can change the channel on your tv
Push all the little buttons till your fingers bleed
But you won't change me (whooo)
There's nothing I would do for you, cause you don't wanna see
You know I know, you don't want this, you can't dismiss
Shining the light on the darkest places
You know and I know we have to face this now
We have to face this now
Shining the light on the darkest places
Putting the word out we have to face this now
We have to face this now
A generation, taking numbers, making calls
A shadow grew across my bedroom wall
Shining the light on the darkest places
You know and I know we have to face this now
We have to face this now
Shining the light on the darkest places
Putting the word out we have to face this now
We have to face this now
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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 is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Dreamwalker
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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.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
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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.
This song has almost exactly the same meaning as the Five Iron Frenzy song "Anthem'. It's about what's wrong with this generation America is trying to make themselves look good insted of being good.
To explane the whole thing would take too long, this song has so much meaning and it's all very simple. So just have faith in God.
I don't think this song is necessarily about America, but a general statement that the world is dark, and then a call by the band to shine the light on the darkest places (everywhere!).