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.
Tears flow down the river and into the sea
Like you and me
Screaming in the distance and wind in the trees
It's hard to believe
You feel like a phoney and you don't belong
Live your life, it's only a moment then it's gone
Don't know how to do it
Don't know how it's done
Everything's scary but you gotta carry on
Don't know how to do it
Don't know how it's done
Everyone scares me but we all need someone, sometimes
(The rain tastes bitter)
Fear blocks out the reasons and turns them around
It's all upside down
Leave all your decisions and turn it up loud
Enjoy the sound
I know that you're lonely but you've done nothing wrong
Don't care were you go, we are together one
Don't know how to do it
Don't know how it's done
Everything's scary but you gotta carry on
Don't know how to do it
Don't know how it's done
Everyone scares me but we all need someone, sometimes
The rain tastes better warm
Like you and me
Screaming in the distance and wind in the trees
It's hard to believe
You feel like a phoney and you don't belong
Live your life, it's only a moment then it's gone
Don't know how to do it
Don't know how it's done
Everything's scary but you gotta carry on
Don't know how to do it
Don't know how it's done
Everyone scares me but we all need someone, sometimes
(The rain tastes bitter)
Fear blocks out the reasons and turns them around
It's all upside down
Leave all your decisions and turn it up loud
Enjoy the sound
I know that you're lonely but you've done nothing wrong
Don't care were you go, we are together one
Don't know how to do it
Don't know how it's done
Everything's scary but you gotta carry on
Don't know how to do it
Don't know how it's done
Everyone scares me but we all need someone, sometimes
The rain tastes better warm
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"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.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
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.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
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.
I always thought the song is about the horrors of very close relationships that confine both lovers. But as I read the lyrics again just now, I guess it's simply about siamese twins forced to go through live together.
I believe Together As One is clearly about conjoined twins at birth. They share life and death together.
"To the normal It seems grotesque Connected by A bond of flesh" This confirms its about siamese twins. :)
Yeah that' s what I thought too. It' s kinda obvious, i don't think it' d say "Ridiculed for their shocking appearance" if it was talking about just a very close relationship. :p
Damn that would suck.
Two lovers with dismorphophobia ? Really difficult to establish a precision approach.-
I think is related to Edward Mordake.