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.
He's been chasing white lines across the open sky
Following them far away from the ones he left behind
And even though he's misses her
He was born a traveler
White line after white line he inhales
White line after white line he inhales
He's a drifter and a gambler
He's a lonely rolling stone
He's a dreamer and a rambler
And the highway is his home
All the pain that he's collected
On a long and wicked road
It's in his eyes
But the dream in inside the drifter never dies
People turn to vampires on these veins of interstate
Hearts gift-wrapped barbed wire as the move from place to place
And he can nail them on the wind
The demons chasing after him
White line after white line he inhales
White line after white line he inhales
He's a drifter and a gambler
He's a lonely rolling stone
He's a dreamer and a rambler
And the highway is his home
All the pain that he's collected
On a long and wicked road is in his eyes
But the dream in inside the drifter never dies
And even though he misses her
He was born a traveler
White line after white line he inhales
White line after white line he exhales
Following them far away from the ones he left behind
And even though he's misses her
He was born a traveler
White line after white line he inhales
White line after white line he inhales
He's a drifter and a gambler
He's a lonely rolling stone
He's a dreamer and a rambler
And the highway is his home
All the pain that he's collected
On a long and wicked road
It's in his eyes
But the dream in inside the drifter never dies
People turn to vampires on these veins of interstate
Hearts gift-wrapped barbed wire as the move from place to place
And he can nail them on the wind
The demons chasing after him
White line after white line he inhales
White line after white line he inhales
He's a drifter and a gambler
He's a lonely rolling stone
He's a dreamer and a rambler
And the highway is his home
All the pain that he's collected
On a long and wicked road is in his eyes
But the dream in inside the drifter never dies
And even though he misses her
He was born a traveler
White line after white line he inhales
White line after white line he exhales
Lyrics submitted by MusicFREAK20, edited by sonicemerald
The Drifter Lyrics as written by Joseph David Walser Blake Carney Allison
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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@[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.
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
I feel that the song is describing a man who never had a home and is very nomadic. He is addicted to crack, as seen in the lyrics "White line after while line he inhales.", and has many other problems. I seems like he wants to give up this life style because he has a girl that he loves dearly, but feels like he cannot because this is what he is meant to be like.