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 haven't seen the world outside for days
You sleep, you hope, you wait
Imagination disappears
And all the dreams you have you save
Confrontation like a mirror
They try to take your mind away
I don't know, but I believe in yesterday
And what it means
To bleed and know that you're okay
Are you waiting?
No matter what you say
No matter what you do
No matter what, I'm always right there behind you [Repeat x2]
Bombarded by the atmosphere
You breath, you choke, you breath again
Conversation disappears
You realize they're not your friends
The panic of the future rears
You dig, you jerk
You find another way
I don't know, but I believe in yesterday
And what it means
To bleed and know that you're okay
Are you waiting?
No matter what you say
No matter what you do
No matter what, I'm always right there behind you
No matter what you say
No matter what you do
No matter what, I'm always right there behind you
You open up my veins now I don't feel the same
No no no
You open up my brain but I won't be replaced
No matter what you say
No matter what you do
No matter what I'm always right there behind you
You sleep, you hope, you wait
Imagination disappears
And all the dreams you have you save
Confrontation like a mirror
They try to take your mind away
I don't know, but I believe in yesterday
And what it means
To bleed and know that you're okay
Are you waiting?
No matter what you say
No matter what you do
No matter what, I'm always right there behind you [Repeat x2]
Bombarded by the atmosphere
You breath, you choke, you breath again
Conversation disappears
You realize they're not your friends
The panic of the future rears
You dig, you jerk
You find another way
I don't know, but I believe in yesterday
And what it means
To bleed and know that you're okay
Are you waiting?
No matter what you say
No matter what you do
No matter what, I'm always right there behind you
No matter what you say
No matter what you do
No matter what, I'm always right there behind you
You open up my veins now I don't feel the same
No no no
You open up my brain but I won't be replaced
No matter what you say
No matter what you do
No matter what I'm always right there behind you
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Plastic Bag
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“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
Raine's always insisted on having the fans make their own interpretations on the songs that he writes, so defective maybe right, and the song may not be as deep as you think. Or you could be right. You never know.
Anyways, this song is one of my favourites on the Spiritual Machienes album. It's always made me feel better when I'm down. All I need is this song to make myself feel better.