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.
Take it for what it's worth, my birth was a blessing
Sent to live and die, on earth as a lesson
We each have a star, all we have to do is find it
Once you do, everyone who sees it will be blinded (what?)
They'll tell you that you're bright, and say you have a future
When you turn your back, same cats'll try to shoot ya
Niggas ain't shit, I can live on both sides of the fence
Forget what you do, when you talk, see what you really meant (aight?)
That's what I thought, them niggas was bluffin' (uh)
They talk all day but say, nothin (uh)
It gets so dark (what?) the pain's so intense
Since this first rain it's like it's rained ever since (what?)
Never got paid for a rhyme but I flow (whoo)
Never got a plate on time but I grow (whoo)
Live your life, stay on the line but I go (uh)
Went from doin' crime to bein' kind 'cause I know
I'm gon' live forever, I'm never gon' die
Only thing I fear is that I'm never gon' fly
Carry my weight but I'm never gon' cry
Shit I think a nigga straight 'cause I'm never gon' lie
I'm gon' live forever, I'm never gon' die
Only thing I fear is that I'm never gon' fly
Carry my weight but I'm never gon' cry
Shit I think a nigga straight 'cause I'm never gon' lie
What is about who I am that makes me unforgettable (hmm)
What it is about what I've done that makes it so incredible (uh)
"More money, more problems" well the fame was worse (uh-huh)
I reached out for love and what came back was thirst (what?)
Blessed with the curse (uh) niggas don't hear me
Niggas don't hear me, y'all niggas, don't hear me (uh)
What'd I just say? "niggas don't hear you!" see that?
You gots to feel me to catch what I'm sayin, believe that (uh)
But leave that, alone (what?)
We gon' make a nigga wanna be at, your home (what?)
Oh, you kinda quiet with the heat at, your dome (uh)
If the dog got he's gonna bring back a bone
'Cause we got the chrome (c'mon)
This is what I live for, or die for
I'm the nigga with the high score, you try for
What you niggas wanna lie for? It changes nothin'
I'm true for cats, its some strangers bluffin'
I'm gon' live forever, I'm never gon' die
Only thing I fear is that I'm never gon' fly
Carry my weight but I'm never gon' cry
Shit I think a nigga straight 'cause I'm never gon' lie
I'm gon' live forever, I'm never gon' die
Only thing I fear is that I'm never gon' fly
Carry my weight but I'm never gon' cry
Shit I think a nigga straight 'cause I'm never gon' lie
Now if I take what he gave me and I, use it right (uh-huh)
In other words if I listen and, use the light (uh-huh)
Then what I say will remain here, after I'm gone
Still here, on the strength of a song, I live on (hmm)
No second-guessin' on what I stood for, I was good for
Stoppin niggas from killin' each other in the hood war (uh)
Comin through showin' love, throwin' up (uh)
Them cats not throwin' love, you know whassup (what?)
Dark man baby, that's my name
And I gots to be the realest nigga (uh) up in this game
'Cause ain't no shame, they don't make 'em like, this no more
Real to the core, big heart but built for war
I stand for what I believe in
Even if what I believe in stops me from breathin'
Relatives grievin', but I ain't went nowhere
Listen to the song (c'mon) I'm right there
I'm gon' live forever, I'm never gon' die
Only thing I fear is that I'm never gon' fly
Carry my weight but I'm never gon' cry
Shit I think a nigga straight 'cause I'm never gon' lie
I'm gon' live forever, I'm never gon' die
Only thing I fear is that I'm never gon' fly
Carry my weight but I'm never gon' cry
Shit I think a nigga straight 'cause I'm never gon' lie
Sent to live and die, on earth as a lesson
We each have a star, all we have to do is find it
Once you do, everyone who sees it will be blinded (what?)
They'll tell you that you're bright, and say you have a future
When you turn your back, same cats'll try to shoot ya
Niggas ain't shit, I can live on both sides of the fence
Forget what you do, when you talk, see what you really meant (aight?)
That's what I thought, them niggas was bluffin' (uh)
They talk all day but say, nothin (uh)
It gets so dark (what?) the pain's so intense
Since this first rain it's like it's rained ever since (what?)
Never got paid for a rhyme but I flow (whoo)
Never got a plate on time but I grow (whoo)
Live your life, stay on the line but I go (uh)
Went from doin' crime to bein' kind 'cause I know
I'm gon' live forever, I'm never gon' die
Only thing I fear is that I'm never gon' fly
Carry my weight but I'm never gon' cry
Shit I think a nigga straight 'cause I'm never gon' lie
I'm gon' live forever, I'm never gon' die
Only thing I fear is that I'm never gon' fly
Carry my weight but I'm never gon' cry
Shit I think a nigga straight 'cause I'm never gon' lie
What is about who I am that makes me unforgettable (hmm)
What it is about what I've done that makes it so incredible (uh)
"More money, more problems" well the fame was worse (uh-huh)
I reached out for love and what came back was thirst (what?)
Blessed with the curse (uh) niggas don't hear me
Niggas don't hear me, y'all niggas, don't hear me (uh)
What'd I just say? "niggas don't hear you!" see that?
You gots to feel me to catch what I'm sayin, believe that (uh)
But leave that, alone (what?)
We gon' make a nigga wanna be at, your home (what?)
Oh, you kinda quiet with the heat at, your dome (uh)
If the dog got he's gonna bring back a bone
'Cause we got the chrome (c'mon)
This is what I live for, or die for
I'm the nigga with the high score, you try for
What you niggas wanna lie for? It changes nothin'
I'm true for cats, its some strangers bluffin'
I'm gon' live forever, I'm never gon' die
Only thing I fear is that I'm never gon' fly
Carry my weight but I'm never gon' cry
Shit I think a nigga straight 'cause I'm never gon' lie
I'm gon' live forever, I'm never gon' die
Only thing I fear is that I'm never gon' fly
Carry my weight but I'm never gon' cry
Shit I think a nigga straight 'cause I'm never gon' lie
Now if I take what he gave me and I, use it right (uh-huh)
In other words if I listen and, use the light (uh-huh)
Then what I say will remain here, after I'm gone
Still here, on the strength of a song, I live on (hmm)
No second-guessin' on what I stood for, I was good for
Stoppin niggas from killin' each other in the hood war (uh)
Comin through showin' love, throwin' up (uh)
Them cats not throwin' love, you know whassup (what?)
Dark man baby, that's my name
And I gots to be the realest nigga (uh) up in this game
'Cause ain't no shame, they don't make 'em like, this no more
Real to the core, big heart but built for war
I stand for what I believe in
Even if what I believe in stops me from breathin'
Relatives grievin', but I ain't went nowhere
Listen to the song (c'mon) I'm right there
I'm gon' live forever, I'm never gon' die
Only thing I fear is that I'm never gon' fly
Carry my weight but I'm never gon' cry
Shit I think a nigga straight 'cause I'm never gon' lie
I'm gon' live forever, I'm never gon' die
Only thing I fear is that I'm never gon' fly
Carry my weight but I'm never gon' cry
Shit I think a nigga straight 'cause I'm never gon' lie
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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.
Gentle Hour
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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,
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Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
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There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Also, the line "Im gonna live forever, I'm never gonna die" is DMX saying how his fame and what hes teaching will go on forever, correlating again w/ the last stanza (I was good foor stoppin niggaz from killin each other in the hood war)