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.
My lover looks me in the eye
Says baby you failed me
If your love is really true
Why don't I feel set free
Aw bail me out baby
I'm not meant for this prision cell
So I fought for him
How could I know he brought it on himself
And now I'd like to say
Final score aside
That even though I failed in your eyes
I tried
I tried
So I bailed him out with all my cash
I bailed him out with my love
Distracted all the prision guards
With stone trumpet from up above
I even pulled the warden over to one side
I said leave for him to foreswear my penance
For his crime
And now I'd like to say
Final score aside
Even though I failed in your eyes
I tried
I tried it
And with all the pain in this world
That my love could go to change
How could I fail at freeing only one man from his own cage
And though it hurts to think of him
Cursing me for one thing
And it hurts to think of me
No longer believing
But in the end they told me
Sorry he isn't good enough
And it finally occurred to me
Why his life is so damn rough
And now I'd like to say
Final score aside
That even though I failed in your eyes
I know I hurt you maybe a lot
Oh blame me til the day that I die
But I tried
I tried
Baby I tried
Yeah
I tried I tried I tried
Says baby you failed me
If your love is really true
Why don't I feel set free
Aw bail me out baby
I'm not meant for this prision cell
So I fought for him
How could I know he brought it on himself
And now I'd like to say
Final score aside
That even though I failed in your eyes
I tried
I tried
So I bailed him out with all my cash
I bailed him out with my love
Distracted all the prision guards
With stone trumpet from up above
I even pulled the warden over to one side
I said leave for him to foreswear my penance
For his crime
And now I'd like to say
Final score aside
Even though I failed in your eyes
I tried
I tried it
And with all the pain in this world
That my love could go to change
How could I fail at freeing only one man from his own cage
And though it hurts to think of him
Cursing me for one thing
And it hurts to think of me
No longer believing
But in the end they told me
Sorry he isn't good enough
And it finally occurred to me
Why his life is so damn rough
And now I'd like to say
Final score aside
That even though I failed in your eyes
I know I hurt you maybe a lot
Oh blame me til the day that I die
But I tried
I tried
Baby I tried
Yeah
I tried I tried I tried
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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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Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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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.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
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.