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.
A cry for help, a hint of anesthesia
The sound from broken homes
We used to always meet here
As he lays asleep, she takes him in her arms
Some things I have to do, but I don't mean you harm
A worried parent's glance, a kiss, a last goodbye
Hands him the bag she packed, the tears she tries to hide
A cruel wind that blows down to our lunacy
And leaves him standing cold here in this colony
I can't see why all these confrontations
I can't see why all these dislocations
No family life, this makes me feel uneasy
Stood alone here in this colony
In this colony
In this colony
In this colony
In this colony
Dear God in his wisdom took you by the hand
God in his wisdom made you understand
God in his wisdom took you by the hand
God in his wisdom made you understand
God in his wisdom took you by the hand
God in his wisdom made you understand
God in his wisdom took you by the hand
God in his wisdom made you understand
In this colony
In this colony
In this colony
In this colony
The sound from broken homes
We used to always meet here
As he lays asleep, she takes him in her arms
Some things I have to do, but I don't mean you harm
A worried parent's glance, a kiss, a last goodbye
Hands him the bag she packed, the tears she tries to hide
A cruel wind that blows down to our lunacy
And leaves him standing cold here in this colony
I can't see why all these confrontations
I can't see why all these dislocations
No family life, this makes me feel uneasy
Stood alone here in this colony
In this colony
In this colony
In this colony
In this colony
Dear God in his wisdom took you by the hand
God in his wisdom made you understand
God in his wisdom took you by the hand
God in his wisdom made you understand
God in his wisdom took you by the hand
God in his wisdom made you understand
God in his wisdom took you by the hand
God in his wisdom made you understand
In this colony
In this colony
In this colony
In this colony
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[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.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“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.
Personally, I think 'Closer' as a whole album tells a concept story of Ian Curtis's own death. With side two being the aftermath and side one being the leadup, ending at "A Means to An End", followed by "Heart and Soul" where he kills himself. Colony has a place in this story. Analysis wise, I'm pretty sure the song has nothing to do with Africa or Nazis, though Ian may have used them symbolically to make a point out his own life. Verse by verse:
"A cry for help, a hint of anesthesia, The sound from broken homes, We used to always meet here. As he lays asleep, she takes him in her arms, Some things I have to do, but I don't mean you harm."
This verse describes the falling apart of the relationship between Ian and Debbie, who he probably knew would leave him. Some things she had to do but doesn't mean him harm.
"A worried parent's glance, a kiss, a last goodbye, Hands him the bag she packed, the tears she tries to hide, A cruel wind that blows down to our lunacy And leaves him standing cold here in this colony."
She's packing her bags to leave him but doesn't really want to deep down. When she finally does, she leaves him isolated in the taxing life of Joy Division. The "colony" that is his other, second life. Peter Hook described Joy Division as being almost a second life to Ian. There was the "domestic" Ian Curtis and the "rock star" Ian Curtis. Now he is confined to nothing but this colony.
"I can't see why all these confrontations, I can't see why all these dislocations, No family life, this makes me feel uneasy, Stood alone here in this colony. In this colony, in this colony, in this colony, in this colony."
No family life -- it sums up what I just said about him being left alone with Joy Division.
" Dear God in his wisdom took you by the hand, God in his wisdom made you understand. God in his wisdom took you by the hand, God in his wisdom made you understand."
Almost as though he is blaming her and sarcastically saying "you understood why you had to leave me to this".
It's a super fucking dark song. It's Ian crying out that he's been abandoned and really begins the process of him deciding to kill himself. Which is why "A Means to An End" (the divorce on the album), is followed by Side 2's "Post-Death Ian Curtis".
Guy was a genius the way he ordered this album to tell a story.