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.
There's a penny on the floor and you're gone
The television's on
Have you found another man to take my place
There's a penny on the floor and I'm wise
I try to see in your eyes
But all I see is a reflection of my face
There's a penny on the floor and you're gone
I'm trying to right what's wrong
A stronger man might do it with more grace
There's a penny on the floor and I'm wise
I look up to the skies
I cry and pray and I stare out into space
There's a penny on the floor and you're standing at the door
Turn around and say goodbye
A woman like you comes around just once a life
There's a penny on the floor and and I'm strong
I'll try to carry on
Realizing no one can take your place
There's a penny on the floor and and I'm fine
I know it's gonna take some time
Before I look at you without looking at my own face
Penny on the floor I'm tired of the war
Penny on the track are you coming back
There's a penny on the floor and it stays
As a tribute to the days
That were spent with you no one can take them away
There's a penny on the floor and it stays
As a tribute to the ways
You filled my soul with courage hope and grace
There's a penny on the floor and you're standing at the door
Turn around and say goodbye
A woman like you comes around just once a life
There's a penny on the floor and you're standing at the door
Turn around and say goodbye
A woman like you comes around it won't bring me down
The television's on
Have you found another man to take my place
There's a penny on the floor and I'm wise
I try to see in your eyes
But all I see is a reflection of my face
There's a penny on the floor and you're gone
I'm trying to right what's wrong
A stronger man might do it with more grace
There's a penny on the floor and I'm wise
I look up to the skies
I cry and pray and I stare out into space
There's a penny on the floor and you're standing at the door
Turn around and say goodbye
A woman like you comes around just once a life
There's a penny on the floor and and I'm strong
I'll try to carry on
Realizing no one can take your place
There's a penny on the floor and and I'm fine
I know it's gonna take some time
Before I look at you without looking at my own face
Penny on the floor I'm tired of the war
Penny on the track are you coming back
There's a penny on the floor and it stays
As a tribute to the days
That were spent with you no one can take them away
There's a penny on the floor and it stays
As a tribute to the ways
You filled my soul with courage hope and grace
There's a penny on the floor and you're standing at the door
Turn around and say goodbye
A woman like you comes around just once a life
There's a penny on the floor and you're standing at the door
Turn around and say goodbye
A woman like you comes around it won't bring me down
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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.
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Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
This song is about ultimate loss and coping with that loss. Losing your soulmate. At least that is how I see it. I can't even listen to this song anymore despite its beautiful simplicity. Too painful.