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.
If you change your mind, I'm the first in line
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
If you need me, let me know and I'll be around
If you've got no place to go, when you're feeling down
If you're all alone when the pretty birds have flown
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best, it ain't no lie
If you put me to the test, if you let me try
Take a chance on me
Take a chance on me
We can go dancing, we can go walking, as long as we're together
Listen to some music, maybe just talking, get to know you better
'Cause you know I've got
So much that I wanna do, when I dream I'm alone with you
It's magic
You wanted to leave me there, afraid of a love affair
But I think you know
That I can't let go
If you change your mind, I'm the first in line
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
If you need me, let me know and I'll be around
If you've got no place to go, if you're feeling down
If you're all alone when the pretty birds have flown
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best and it ain't no lie
If you put me to the test, if you let me try
Take a chance on me
Take a chance on me
Oh you can take your time baby, I'm in no hurry, I know I'm gonna get you
You don't wanna hurt me, baby don't worry, I ain't gonna let you
Let me tell you now
My love is strong enough to last when things are rough
It's magic
You say that I waste my time but I can't get you off my mind
No I can't let go
'Cause I love you so
Hopping in
If you like what you're seeing take a chance with me, ya
You won't be grabbed, if you're feeling horny
Well, you've passes so you got to know this precious property
I don't know the lads, so call me MC K
Nobody sits, understand me clearly
However hard he try, could he never own me
We all fit nice and just move freely
Special K, what he says all said carefully
Me not sit all along and just wait by phone
Not call me 'cause me never, never home ya
Machine gun as we get the wrong one
Master Mark, Master Paul, mister Luke and John
If we like what we see we chance a situation
Nothing don't pay nothing, maybe see what follow on
What a Jill may do if the right man come?
Hey rock da boat, come we just have a little fun
Go now
Ba ba ba ba baa, ba ba ba ba baa
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best and it ain't no lie
If you put me to the test, if you let me try
(Take a chance, take a chance, take a chance on me)
If you're all alone when the pretty birds have flown
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best and it ain't no lie
If you put me to the test, if you let me try
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
If you need me, let me know and I'll be around
If you've got no place to go, when you're feeling down
If you're all alone when the pretty birds have flown
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best, it ain't no lie
If you put me to the test, if you let me try
Take a chance on me
Take a chance on me
We can go dancing, we can go walking, as long as we're together
Listen to some music, maybe just talking, get to know you better
'Cause you know I've got
So much that I wanna do, when I dream I'm alone with you
It's magic
You wanted to leave me there, afraid of a love affair
But I think you know
That I can't let go
If you change your mind, I'm the first in line
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
If you need me, let me know and I'll be around
If you've got no place to go, if you're feeling down
If you're all alone when the pretty birds have flown
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best and it ain't no lie
If you put me to the test, if you let me try
Take a chance on me
Take a chance on me
Oh you can take your time baby, I'm in no hurry, I know I'm gonna get you
You don't wanna hurt me, baby don't worry, I ain't gonna let you
Let me tell you now
My love is strong enough to last when things are rough
It's magic
You say that I waste my time but I can't get you off my mind
No I can't let go
'Cause I love you so
Hopping in
If you like what you're seeing take a chance with me, ya
You won't be grabbed, if you're feeling horny
Well, you've passes so you got to know this precious property
I don't know the lads, so call me MC K
Nobody sits, understand me clearly
However hard he try, could he never own me
We all fit nice and just move freely
Special K, what he says all said carefully
Me not sit all along and just wait by phone
Not call me 'cause me never, never home ya
Machine gun as we get the wrong one
Master Mark, Master Paul, mister Luke and John
If we like what we see we chance a situation
Nothing don't pay nothing, maybe see what follow on
What a Jill may do if the right man come?
Hey rock da boat, come we just have a little fun
Go now
Ba ba ba ba baa, ba ba ba ba baa
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best and it ain't no lie
If you put me to the test, if you let me try
(Take a chance, take a chance, take a chance on me)
If you're all alone when the pretty birds have flown
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best and it ain't no lie
If you put me to the test, if you let me try
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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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Head > Heels
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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.
It's a great song. Unrequited love, letting things flow...