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.
Yay though we venture through
The valley of the stars
You and all your jewelry
And my bleeding heart
Who couldn't be together
And who could not be apart
We should've jumped out
Of that airplane after all
Flying sky ways overhead
It wasn't hard to fall
And I had so many crashes
That I couldn't feel at all
And it feels like
I'm seventeen again
Feels like I'm seventeen
Times might break you
God forsake you
Leave you burned and bruised
Innocence will teach you
What it feels like to be used
Thought that you'd done everything
You didn't have a clue
And it feels like
I'm seventeen again
Feels like I'm seventeen
Looking from the outside in
Some things never change
Hey hey I'm a million miles away
Funny how it seems like yesterday
All those fake celebrities
And all those viscous queens
All the stupid papers
And the stupid magazines
Sweet dreams are made of anything
That gets you in the scene
And it feels like
I'm seventeen again
Feels like I'm seventeen
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree
I travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something
Yeah
The valley of the stars
You and all your jewelry
And my bleeding heart
Who couldn't be together
And who could not be apart
We should've jumped out
Of that airplane after all
Flying sky ways overhead
It wasn't hard to fall
And I had so many crashes
That I couldn't feel at all
And it feels like
I'm seventeen again
Feels like I'm seventeen
Times might break you
God forsake you
Leave you burned and bruised
Innocence will teach you
What it feels like to be used
Thought that you'd done everything
You didn't have a clue
And it feels like
I'm seventeen again
Feels like I'm seventeen
Looking from the outside in
Some things never change
Hey hey I'm a million miles away
Funny how it seems like yesterday
All those fake celebrities
And all those viscous queens
All the stupid papers
And the stupid magazines
Sweet dreams are made of anything
That gets you in the scene
And it feels like
I'm seventeen again
Feels like I'm seventeen
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree
I travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something
Yeah
Lyrics submitted by weezerific:cutlery
17 Again Lyrics as written by David Allan Stewart Annie Lennox
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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 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.
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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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.
I agree with the first comment.It takes some time to recognize the universality of human experience that cuts across cultural barriers at that age(seventeen). Most young girls miss the so called sweet seventeen period of time by their hormonal imbalances and unrealistic expectations of the perfect boyfriend or their own self-image and beauty. And definitely,at that time we all look at the beauty magazines of that era,they have a special appeal.They lead you astray.Not all the jewellery in the world will bring you closer to the loved one,leading ultimately to heartbreak,loss of dreams in the academic world and a new you,who is disillusioned and on the search for the missing element forever. A song of heartbreak,a song of the world stealing your youth and aspirations. The essence of being at a vulnerable age.