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 don't mind the weather
I've got scarves and caps and sweaters
I've got long johns under slacks for blustery days.
I think that it's brainless to assume that making changes to your window's view
Will give a new perspective.
And the hardest part is yet to come
I don't mind restrictions or if you're blacking out the friction
It's just an escape (it's overrated anyways)
The hardest part is yet to come
When you will cross the country alone.
I've got scarves and caps and sweaters
I've got long johns under slacks for blustery days.
I think that it's brainless to assume that making changes to your window's view
Will give a new perspective.
And the hardest part is yet to come
I don't mind restrictions or if you're blacking out the friction
It's just an escape (it's overrated anyways)
The hardest part is yet to come
When you will cross the country alone.
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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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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.
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“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
i think this song is about putting up with your problems instead of running away from them.. "i don't mind the weather, i've got scarves and caps and sweaters, i've got long johns under slacks for blustery days." is basically saying that its tough, but he's prepared.
"i think that it's brainless to assume that making changes to your window's view will give a new perspective." is about how there's no point running away, as the problems are still there.
"blacking out the friction" would be referring to ignoring the problems.
seems to make sense to me.
Love This Song! Took My Breth away when they played it live, truly amazing.
geez.. i know the words to this song so well but ive only heard it once... great song.. love the music alot! hmmm this was the song of the day on the 12/4!!
This song, possibly, is about the hardships of life, and "blacking" them out...the weather could be simbolism for it,....and scarves, caps, even sweaters, could be defense mechanisms...or the support of friends, helping him get through the day. But these defenses are pointless--it's brainless to decorate your window and assume it makes your perspective different. Once you realize this, you know "the hardest part is yet to come."
It's a relationship that is faked...like, they're not really showing their real selves...it makes me think of my college move thats coming up, and how i wanted to be with someone that i thought i loved up until i left, even if it meant putting up with things that i wouldn't like...its a beautiful song.
This is one of my favorite songs ever. The music is great, and the lyrics are awesome, thus creating the perfect song. "I think that's brainless to assume that making changes/to a window's view will give a new perspective."
Yeah this song reminds me of when I moved to college too. Especially the lines "I think that it's brainless to assume that making changes to your windows view will give a new perspective." He is absolutely correct when he says that.
i really like it.. "I think that it's brainless to assume that making changes to your windows view will give a new perspective."
When they played this song live when I saw them, they played an altered version that started with Ben on the piano and Chris' guitar playing softly, then a after a while the guitars picked up like normal until after the final verse, when they continued into an all-new verse with the drumbs banging in the background and the guitars sounding like chimes. It was so beautiful, and the verse was amazing. It dealt with long distances and phone calls and was about love, to maybe shed more meaning onto this song. I wish they would record that version, it's seriously one of my favorite Death Cab songs. Maybe my favorite.
Probably one of my favorite Death Cab songs. I am obsessed.