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.
Got a song about some love that's gone away (right)
Sometimes his eyes shed tiny teardrops when he plays (right)
Touching feelings are just sitting there to buy
They call it music, but it seems more like a lie
Artificial life in the market
Artificial life in the marketplace
Artificial life in the market
Artificial life in the marketplace
Epic ballads by the musical whores (right)
Life is boring, so project theirs onto yours (right)
Hear the anthems of the Pepsi generation
See the martyrs of our spiritual degradation
Artificial life in the market
Artificial life in the marketplace
Artificial life in the market
Artificial life in the marketplace
American culture
Disneyland freak show
Screen in your living room
A window for your tomb
If you can't compare to the world sitting there
Repress your insecurities
Watch and escape
Gimme artificial
Gimme superficial
Gimme a commercial life that can't be bought
This I say to you, what I say is true
Emotions aren't a product to sell or be consumed
Coming attraction, it's coming real soon
Prince is having brunch with Pat Boone
Wanna know where all the bullshit goes?
It goes down the sewer to be disposed
Artificial life in the market
Artificial life in the marketplace
Artificial life in the market
Artificial life in the marketplace
Artificial life in the market
Artificial life in the marketplace
Artificial life in the market
Artificial life in the marketplace
Artificial life
Artificial life
Artificial life
Artificial life
Sometimes his eyes shed tiny teardrops when he plays (right)
Touching feelings are just sitting there to buy
They call it music, but it seems more like a lie
Artificial life in the market
Artificial life in the marketplace
Artificial life in the market
Artificial life in the marketplace
Epic ballads by the musical whores (right)
Life is boring, so project theirs onto yours (right)
Hear the anthems of the Pepsi generation
See the martyrs of our spiritual degradation
Artificial life in the market
Artificial life in the marketplace
Artificial life in the market
Artificial life in the marketplace
American culture
Disneyland freak show
Screen in your living room
A window for your tomb
If you can't compare to the world sitting there
Repress your insecurities
Watch and escape
Gimme artificial
Gimme superficial
Gimme a commercial life that can't be bought
This I say to you, what I say is true
Emotions aren't a product to sell or be consumed
Coming attraction, it's coming real soon
Prince is having brunch with Pat Boone
Wanna know where all the bullshit goes?
It goes down the sewer to be disposed
Artificial life in the market
Artificial life in the marketplace
Artificial life in the market
Artificial life in the marketplace
Artificial life in the market
Artificial life in the marketplace
Artificial life in the market
Artificial life in the marketplace
Artificial life
Artificial life
Artificial life
Artificial life
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
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.
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.
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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
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.
the begin'in is funny hahahha
perfect example of our wonderful society today ^_^
i LOVE this song. it speaks the truth. this song is the essence of america's current social state. yay op ivy!
This song is about the crap which is popular music these days. Its not real its, just crap written to make money.
Well given the fact this song came out late 80's and written who knows how long before how can it be about music "these days" and music wasnt really the same back then. Music shall i say was more true and not all about the bullshit that its about today.
But I would have to agree with you to a certain degree on the meaning.
the song was written in 1989 and it is about the schlock rock hair metal that was clogging the airwaves. It can also be compared to the music of today. emo crybabies are the new musical whores with tears in their eyes.
I love this song
I think it's about using great songs in commertals and just ruing them
Are you serious? This song is obviously about much more than using "great songs in commercials".