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.
So quick to judge, so easily we forget,
What it's like to be dissected
Where feelings are tossed aside
Like a drug it feeds the imagination of minds that go unparalyzed
Followers to the leaders of mass hypnotic corruption
That live their lives only to criticize
Where is the invisible line that we must draw to create individual thought
Patterns
Prisoners of mental deception be free within singular judgment
Twisting words to control the masses
To cover up one's self insecurities
Like a drug it feeds the imagination of minds that go unparalyzed
Followers to the leaders of mass hypnotic corruption
That live their lives only to criticize
Where is the invisible line that we must draw to create individual thought
What it's like to be dissected
Where feelings are tossed aside
Like a drug it feeds the imagination of minds that go unparalyzed
Followers to the leaders of mass hypnotic corruption
That live their lives only to criticize
Where is the invisible line that we must draw to create individual thought
Patterns
Prisoners of mental deception be free within singular judgment
Twisting words to control the masses
To cover up one's self insecurities
Like a drug it feeds the imagination of minds that go unparalyzed
Followers to the leaders of mass hypnotic corruption
That live their lives only to criticize
Where is the invisible line that we must draw to create individual thought
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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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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.
Magical
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How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
I think this song is about someone who isnt an individual, there just a sheep following the herd and there not thinking for themself
"I think this song is about someone who isnt an individual, there just a sheep following the herd and there not thinking for themself " pretty much. its about the masses all thinking alike and not having their own thoughts, or individual thought patterns.
Very simple to interpret, in a way. It is about narrow minded human beings, who have no substancial opinions, nor think for themselves.
He pleeads for individual thought patterns. Chuck wants a world where everyone has their own formed opinions
Oh, that's an easy one!
T.V.
It's what I believe Chuck was thinking about for writin' this one.
This song is about a bedspread called Kitty who goes on an adventure in the woods. Whilst exploring she accidentally falls in a ditch which is filled with water. Being a bedspread, she cannot possibly maake her way out and simply lays there getting wet. Over millions of years sediment collects at the bottom of the pool, smothering her. Under the immense pressure of the water the sediments turn into rock. As no oxygen could get past the rock she is petrified into the stone. This leaves a fossil. When archaelogists dig in the ditch years later they discover the valuable fossil. However they decide to chuck it in the bin and watch a football match instead, as this is the style at the time.
stfu