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.
Kickin' as I'm trying to sleep
I got the mud beneath my shoes
Rubber band, rubber band gun in hand
Gun in hand I wanna use
Roamin', roamin', roam
(Get away, gotta get away)
And I think, I think too much
(I don't care, yeah, but I don't care)
Roamin', roamin', roam
(Get away, gotta get away)
And I think, I think too much
Trippin' as I'm thinkin'
About a boy, his name was Sue
He's a man, he's a man crackerman
Crackerman, he's a woman too
Roamin', roamin', roam
(Get away, gotta get away)
And I think, I think too much
(I don't care, yeah, but I don't care)
Roamin', roamin' roam
(Get away, gotta get away)
And I think I think too much
And I'm thinkin'
While I'm thinking
And I'm thinkin'
While I'm thinking
Roamin', roamin', roam
(Get away, gotta get away)
And I think, I think too much
(I don't care, yeah, but I don't care)
Roamin', roamin', roam
(Get away, gotta get away)
And I think I think too much
And I'm thinkin'
While I'm thinking
And I'm thinkin'
While I'm thinking
I got the mud beneath my shoes
Rubber band, rubber band gun in hand
Gun in hand I wanna use
Roamin', roamin', roam
(Get away, gotta get away)
And I think, I think too much
(I don't care, yeah, but I don't care)
Roamin', roamin', roam
(Get away, gotta get away)
And I think, I think too much
Trippin' as I'm thinkin'
About a boy, his name was Sue
He's a man, he's a man crackerman
Crackerman, he's a woman too
Roamin', roamin', roam
(Get away, gotta get away)
And I think, I think too much
(I don't care, yeah, but I don't care)
Roamin', roamin' roam
(Get away, gotta get away)
And I think I think too much
And I'm thinkin'
While I'm thinking
And I'm thinkin'
While I'm thinking
Roamin', roamin', roam
(Get away, gotta get away)
And I think, I think too much
(I don't care, yeah, but I don't care)
Roamin', roamin', roam
(Get away, gotta get away)
And I think I think too much
And I'm thinkin'
While I'm thinking
And I'm thinkin'
While I'm thinking
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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.
Mental Istid
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Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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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.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
Well, I don't know what this talk is about not having drug problems until purple... I think that's when he first went to rehab but he from my understanding he definitely used heroin a long time before that. Having gone through withdrawals I think that's what the first part of the song is about at least. "Kickin' as I'm tryin' to sleep I got the mud beneath my shoes..." I think refers to the shakes and nausea that stops you from sleeping. "Rubber band, rubber band, gun in hand, gun in hand, I wanna use" I believe refers to a tourniquet and needle.