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.
Oh, fair and flighty love,
my aerolite above,
the only dove I see.
Could you love me more
if by the son and moon I swore
that I would never flee?
But I still taste you on my lips,
lovely bitter water.
The terrible fire of old regret is honey on my tongue.
And I know I shouldn't love you,
I know I shouldn't love you,
but I do.
I feel it in my soul,
I feel the empty hole,
the cup that can't be filled.
I feel in in my blood,
in the fire, in the flood,
the beast that can't be killed.
'Cause even now you mark my steps,
lovely bitter water.
All the days of our delights are poison in my veins.
And I know shouldn't love you,
I know.
I am not a fool entire,
though I know what is coming:
You'll bury me beneath the trees I climbed when I was a child.
I know I shouldn't love you.
I know I shouldn't love you, but I do.
my aerolite above,
the only dove I see.
Could you love me more
if by the son and moon I swore
that I would never flee?
But I still taste you on my lips,
lovely bitter water.
The terrible fire of old regret is honey on my tongue.
And I know I shouldn't love you,
I know I shouldn't love you,
but I do.
I feel it in my soul,
I feel the empty hole,
the cup that can't be filled.
I feel in in my blood,
in the fire, in the flood,
the beast that can't be killed.
'Cause even now you mark my steps,
lovely bitter water.
All the days of our delights are poison in my veins.
And I know shouldn't love you,
I know.
I am not a fool entire,
though I know what is coming:
You'll bury me beneath the trees I climbed when I was a child.
I know I shouldn't love you.
I know I shouldn't love you, but I do.
Lyrics submitted by Maddie47, edited by anthonybattery
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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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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,
Magical
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How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
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Ed Sheeran
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.
OK HEAR ME OUT. This is not a love song whatsoever. This is a song about someone reminiscing about a past war. This whole album circles around a coronation of a king therefore starting a time of peace.
VERSE ONE: Is how they have found their own way to peace and love, but questions if the love of god would really be stronger if they swore to never return to their wrathful ways.
CHORUS ONE: The person says they still taste the bitter water on their lips, metaphorical of remembering the war. The person admits it was terrible then but can't shake the feeling.
VERSE TWO: They "feel it in their soul" the "empty hole" that the war made them into an empty person. They know they shouldn't love war but it is their nature that they cannot shake.
CHORUS TWO: Do you guys get it now? "Bitter Water" is BLOOD. Hence: "And I feel it in my blood" "All the days of our delights are poison in my veins". They question if peace is really the answer. It is likely (and by the rest of the album) that they were on the loosing side and do not want peace, bc for them that = oppression.
CHORUS 3: Ok the last chorus is the person explaining they are not a fool. They understand that if you live by the sword, you die by the sword. The person asks to be buried beneath the tree they used to play on as a child.
Overall, this song is about someone who is not willing to accept defeat, even if it means defying gods wishes, because they do not know for sure who is right and wrong. The song is very poetic and may come across as a love song to some. For those who look deeper, I hope this helped you.
@JaronSurf You don’t deserve peace.
@NoRefunds83 Why, bc I have enough intelligence to actually dig deeper into song meanings while you just seek another cleche love song. Ok bud live in your tiny world.
@JaronSurf I will Gladly live in my tiny world.
@JaronSurf I agree and disagree with your analysis. So the Oh Hellos did an interview on this album and they admitted that it IS about love…but instead of your “traditional” love story, it’s about recovery from an abusive relationship. But that’s where I agree with you too, it IS about someone reminiscing about a past “war”, the “war” being that abusive relationship. The “king” they reference throughout the album is Jesus/God. <br /> <br /> Verse 1 they aren’t begging for God’s love, they’re saying God’s love is necessary to help them from turning back to their wrathful ways…aka going back to their ex that abused them. <br /> <br /> Verse 2 is about how they still feel empty after that relationship, breakups can be very difficult and lonesome, regardless if they were healthy or abusive. This can be extremely difficult for a person to experience (such as losing a war), which is all the more reason why they need the support of God. <br /> <br /> The choruses referencing “bitter water” is still referencing that lack of attachment that the speaker is used to. Everyone knows alcohol is bad for you but everyone still drinks it to make them happy and feel good, plus it has a bitter taste so it is a real-life “bitter water”. But like alcohol, everyone knows reaching out to your ex is bad for your mental health (especially if they’re abusive), but they can feel soooo good and intoxicating just like alcohol! <br /> <br /> In conclusion, the “bitter water” they are referencing IS their abusive ex, and this IS a love song. But they are also saying how much of a war or battle it is to recover from past relationships, and how critical it can be for God’s love to help you get over them. <br /> <br /> Lmk if this helps or if you have any comments/questions! The Oh Hellos have been one of my fave bands since they debuted so I hope I have at least a little insight with them!