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.
Maybe again he will be alone
Guess we're equally damaged
Find your name do it all the same equally
Signal when you can't breathe no more
Say you were me then you could see the view
You'll know we are equally damaged
Don't be a fool, make it easier
You'll learn to say when
Signal if you can't say, "no more"
Don't cross your finger
Sundays will never change
They keep on coming
You'll be a freak
And I'll keep you company
Guess we're equally damaged
Find your name do it all the same equally
Signal when you can't breathe no more
Say you were me then you could see the view
You'll know we are equally damaged
Don't be a fool, make it easier
You'll learn to say when
Signal if you can't say, "no more"
Don't cross your finger
Sundays will never change
They keep on coming
You'll be a freak
And I'll keep you company
Lyrics submitted by let it fall
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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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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
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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.
if i were a character in a movie, i would want to die to this song.
@emotion_is_dead Rick and Morty basically did that a few years back with the Coda =) I discovered this thanks to them!
I woke up one morning during a school break, it was really sunny and I was still kind of half asleep, and this song came on my mp3 player and just stupified me, its so amazing, I had to just sit there and listen to it over and over, I love my friend Warren who put it on there for me.
I just finally found a copy of this song a few days ago, and I can't stop listening to it. It makes me cry every time; it really hits straight to my core. I've been a huge Blonde Redhead fan for over seven years now, and I regret not having this in my collection sooner.
The song is about reaching out to someone who has been suffering deeply by themselves (Maybe again/he will be alone)and to help them come out of the darkness . Perhaps it's a loss, or bullying, or depression but the singer sees how it has broken him and it's familiar (Guess we're equally damaged). She tells him to take things slowly (Find your name/Do it all the same equally) and to ask for help when it's too much (Signal when you can't breathe no more). She says I see you are hurting because she was there too (Say you were me/Then you could see the view/You'll know we are equally damaged). But she says you can bring yourself out by taking your life back (Don't be a fool, make it easier/You'll learn to say when). But she knows it's hard but can help you when it feels too continue (Signal if you can't/Say, "no more").
She tells him that things won't get better by themselves (Don't cross your finger/Sundays will never change), the world and the bullies will always be out there (They keep on coming). The hurt makes you different (You'll be a freak), but in the end you're not alone because she is like you - and she'll always be there (And I'll keep you company).
i totally know what you mean. What a beautifully honest song. 'Guess we're equally damaged'
my favorite Blonde Redhead song...the last lines are my favorite...its so true when you're an outsider...or "different" and you have that someone your "freak" 'you'll be a freak and i'll keep you company' lovely.
the song "For the Damaged Coda" has no lyrics, but everyone should listen to it.
This is one of my favorite Blonde Redhead songs. i agree, the Coda is so so beautiful. i love how it continues this song right after the loud, angsty "Mother"; it's all so unexpected in its intensity. And i agree: "Sundays will never change, they keep on coming/you'll be a freak, and i'll keep you company" are such lovely lyrics. it's so much better than saying that things WILL change; acceptance is truly the first step.
as stirring as these lyrics are, the Coda track is breathtaking. on par with elliott smith's "everything means nothing to me"
what's so amazing about blonde redhead is, that a group of 40 year old artists can produce such feeling that talks right into the teenager heart or just awakens the teenage misery inside you when you're a bit older than that