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.
Well I know it, it's a shame
A shame I can't show it,
I see it, I can see
It now but I'm so far below it
Don't want to, don't want to talk about it,
I say why not,
Don't want to think about it,
I say there's got to be some good reason
For your little black backpack up,
Smack, turnaround he's on his back and
Don't want to tango with you,
I'd rather tangle with him,
I think I'm gonna bash his head in,
And this shouldn't concern
You except that just don't expect to get
Your bloody black backpack back
I can feel you, yes I can what about that
Don't you understand,
And I sense you,
Its something sensual but its less than I
Planned
Don't want to, don't want to talk about it,
I say why not,
Don't want to think about it,
I say there's got to be some good reason
For your little black backpack up,
Smack, turnaround he's on his back and
Don't want to tango with you,
I'd rather tangle with him,
I think I'm gonna bash his head in,
And this shouldn't concern
You except just don't expect to get
Your bloody black backpack back
You're trying to find a reason for the way you feel tonight,
You're mind is lined with layers of lead,
Have you heard one thing that I've said
Don't want to talk about it,
I say why not,
Don't want to think about it,
I say there's got to be some good reason
For your little black backpack up,
Smack, turnaround he's on his back and
Don't want to tango with you,
I'd rather tangle with him,
I think I'm gonna bash his head in,
And this shouldn't concern
You except just don't expect to get
Your bloody black backpack back (twice)
A shame I can't show it,
I see it, I can see
It now but I'm so far below it
Don't want to, don't want to talk about it,
I say why not,
Don't want to think about it,
I say there's got to be some good reason
For your little black backpack up,
Smack, turnaround he's on his back and
Don't want to tango with you,
I'd rather tangle with him,
I think I'm gonna bash his head in,
And this shouldn't concern
You except that just don't expect to get
Your bloody black backpack back
I can feel you, yes I can what about that
Don't you understand,
And I sense you,
Its something sensual but its less than I
Planned
Don't want to, don't want to talk about it,
I say why not,
Don't want to think about it,
I say there's got to be some good reason
For your little black backpack up,
Smack, turnaround he's on his back and
Don't want to tango with you,
I'd rather tangle with him,
I think I'm gonna bash his head in,
And this shouldn't concern
You except just don't expect to get
Your bloody black backpack back
You're trying to find a reason for the way you feel tonight,
You're mind is lined with layers of lead,
Have you heard one thing that I've said
Don't want to talk about it,
I say why not,
Don't want to think about it,
I say there's got to be some good reason
For your little black backpack up,
Smack, turnaround he's on his back and
Don't want to tango with you,
I'd rather tangle with him,
I think I'm gonna bash his head in,
And this shouldn't concern
You except just don't expect to get
Your bloody black backpack back (twice)
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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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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Dreamwalker
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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.
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Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
I saw them in concert, and before this song was played they said "this is for everyone that has been cheated on."