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.
I smell a mutiny I feel it in the air
Still a million miles away and don't fit anywhere
Just a piece of destiny of futures to be told
We raise our arms in unity our fortunes to behold
There's no sanctity no place for me no ordinary man
It's no mystery you know I can
There's a chill in the air tonight
Nothing can ever be all right
Close my eyes I see the signs they've been there all my life
There's a chill in the air tonight
Gone are those walls you hide behind
Say your prayers and make it right
I was caught between right and wrong, with nowhere to belong
Choked up on the words I thought my mind keeps going strong
Raise your head among the living dead,the endless mind control
Still trapped inside this universe, no comfort for my soul
There's no sanctuary no place for me no shelter from this storm
Lost our unity we see the world reborn
There's a chill in the air tonight
Nothing can ever be all right
Close my eyes I see the signs they've been there all my life
There's a chill in the air tonight
Gone are those walls you hide behind
Say your prayers and make it right
There's a chill in the air tonight
Nothing can ever be all right
Close my eyes I see the signs they've been there all my life
There's a chill in the air tonight
Gone are those walls you hide behind
Say your prayers and make it right
Still a million miles away and don't fit anywhere
Just a piece of destiny of futures to be told
We raise our arms in unity our fortunes to behold
There's no sanctity no place for me no ordinary man
It's no mystery you know I can
There's a chill in the air tonight
Nothing can ever be all right
Close my eyes I see the signs they've been there all my life
There's a chill in the air tonight
Gone are those walls you hide behind
Say your prayers and make it right
I was caught between right and wrong, with nowhere to belong
Choked up on the words I thought my mind keeps going strong
Raise your head among the living dead,the endless mind control
Still trapped inside this universe, no comfort for my soul
There's no sanctuary no place for me no shelter from this storm
Lost our unity we see the world reborn
There's a chill in the air tonight
Nothing can ever be all right
Close my eyes I see the signs they've been there all my life
There's a chill in the air tonight
Gone are those walls you hide behind
Say your prayers and make it right
There's a chill in the air tonight
Nothing can ever be all right
Close my eyes I see the signs they've been there all my life
There's a chill in the air tonight
Gone are those walls you hide behind
Say your prayers and make it right
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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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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
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Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.