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 am a blank page in a notebook,
Waiting to be filled with countless drawings of cocks.
I am a bathroom wall, freshly painted over
To cover up swastikas and the names of the girls that we called sluts,
I am the Total Gym,
I am the Salad Glove,
I am the Slap Chop,
I'm the forever lazy,
I am a boring and worthless thing, and nobody should save me.
I am the Kool-Aid stains on the mouth of a kid,
Whose name is most likely Cody.
He had a juice box for breakfast
And he carries a stick that he most likely found in the alley,
And Cody doesn't have friends,
And his parents hate each other,
And he wants to find a better way to love his family.
And after school he hangs out in the abandoned house behind the Arby's.
I am the camera that watches you,
When you think you are awake.
And I am a Jesus fish on a drug traffic fan
That keeps all their cocaine safe.
I am the guy that eats at least 50 chicken wings,
At an all you can eat buffet,
I'm the Xbox controller for a drone operator today.
And I'm a hologram of a tanning booth,
In a history class from the future.
I'm the nuclear test, called Operation Dominic,
That gave my grandfather cancer.
And I am a video store clerk and an angel of death,
"Hello how are you? My Name is Trevor."
Prepare to die,
Bad Lieutenant 2 is the greatest movie ever
Waiting to be filled with countless drawings of cocks.
I am a bathroom wall, freshly painted over
To cover up swastikas and the names of the girls that we called sluts,
I am the Total Gym,
I am the Salad Glove,
I am the Slap Chop,
I'm the forever lazy,
I am a boring and worthless thing, and nobody should save me.
I am the Kool-Aid stains on the mouth of a kid,
Whose name is most likely Cody.
He had a juice box for breakfast
And he carries a stick that he most likely found in the alley,
And Cody doesn't have friends,
And his parents hate each other,
And he wants to find a better way to love his family.
And after school he hangs out in the abandoned house behind the Arby's.
I am the camera that watches you,
When you think you are awake.
And I am a Jesus fish on a drug traffic fan
That keeps all their cocaine safe.
I am the guy that eats at least 50 chicken wings,
At an all you can eat buffet,
I'm the Xbox controller for a drone operator today.
And I'm a hologram of a tanning booth,
In a history class from the future.
I'm the nuclear test, called Operation Dominic,
That gave my grandfather cancer.
And I am a video store clerk and an angel of death,
"Hello how are you? My Name is Trevor."
Prepare to die,
Bad Lieutenant 2 is the greatest movie ever
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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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Hayalperest
Hayalperest
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.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
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.
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.
Anthropological study of America.
Seems to me to be a sequel of sorts to "Big Bird," with the way it's written like a list, and closes the album it's on.