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.
You are gone to the highest bidder
Now you're with a man that is god's worst sinner
Well no, don't care about me
I am just the man who meant to set you free
I tried to
Make you a part of me
I even told you what would happen theoretically
There is this something that I need to know
Why am I the only one that lost it all
But every day and every time I turn around
Searching for a place
That I have left behind
And all I wanna believe
That you could bleed so
Burn with me
I'm just an empty shell
Another's friend
Transformed to someone else
Take your seat
I cast a spell
So you'll be less like you
And more like someone else
One's life is another's dream
What someone says a myth is one's normality
How can I
Believe there's another sun
Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm the chosen one
As night has taken what is left of day
And everything is like it's made of clay
I feel like I am the only one
Feeding my need to be reckoned as someone
And every day and every time I turn around
Searching for a sign so I can make a sound
But all I want is to flee, I wanna see you
Burn with me
I'm just an empty shell
Another's friend
Transformed to someone else
Take your seat
I cast a spell
So you'll be less like you
And more like someone else
Burn with me
I'm just an empty shell
Another's friend
Transformed to someone else
Take your seat
I cast a spell
So you'll be less like you
And more like someone else
Burn with me
I'm just an empty shell
Another's friend
Transformed to someone else
Take your seat
I cast a spell
So you'll be less like you
And more like someone else
Now you're with a man that is god's worst sinner
Well no, don't care about me
I am just the man who meant to set you free
I tried to
Make you a part of me
I even told you what would happen theoretically
There is this something that I need to know
Why am I the only one that lost it all
But every day and every time I turn around
Searching for a place
That I have left behind
And all I wanna believe
That you could bleed so
Burn with me
I'm just an empty shell
Another's friend
Transformed to someone else
Take your seat
I cast a spell
So you'll be less like you
And more like someone else
One's life is another's dream
What someone says a myth is one's normality
How can I
Believe there's another sun
Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm the chosen one
As night has taken what is left of day
And everything is like it's made of clay
I feel like I am the only one
Feeding my need to be reckoned as someone
And every day and every time I turn around
Searching for a sign so I can make a sound
But all I want is to flee, I wanna see you
Burn with me
I'm just an empty shell
Another's friend
Transformed to someone else
Take your seat
I cast a spell
So you'll be less like you
And more like someone else
Burn with me
I'm just an empty shell
Another's friend
Transformed to someone else
Take your seat
I cast a spell
So you'll be less like you
And more like someone else
Burn with me
I'm just an empty shell
Another's friend
Transformed to someone else
Take your seat
I cast a spell
So you'll be less like you
And more like someone else
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More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Before I give my interpretation, I want to give a brief summary of the video: According to the music video, it seems like Jake and Elize had gotten into an argument and Jake feels regretful. While the music video does not say why, the video starts off by foreshadowing Elize involved in a car wreck. Halfway through the video, it shows Jake and Elize argue (as said earlier) and Jake leaves the car. In a spark of anger, Elize drives off and Jake walks the road, presumably home. Down the road, Jake sees several fire engines and Jake's guilt kicks in. As you might of guessed, Elize was involved in a car wreck (just her) with the car upside down. Jake then goes insane seeing her dead. From my point of view, it seems like Jake had wished he never left the car and was involved in the wreck with Elize, hence the lines: "Burn with me I'm just an empty shell". Since Elize is dead, it is clear this will stay in Jake's conscience forever, and he will most likely pin the blame on himself. Moral of the song/video: Be careful on how you treat others. You never know if their last day alive will be today or tomorrow.