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.
Reconcile to the belief
Consumed in sacred ground for me
There wasn't always a place to go
But there was always an urgent need to belong yeah
All these bands and all these people
All these friends and we were equals
But what you gonna do when everybody goes on without you?
To the end, to the end, I'll journey to the end
To the end, to the end, I'll journey to the end
To the end, yeah
To the end, to the end, I'll journey to the end
Started in '87 ended in '89
Got a garage or an amp we'll play anytime
It was just the four of us yeah man the core of us
Too much attention unavoidably destroyed us
Four kids on tour, three thousand miles
In a four door car not know what was going on
We got a million years touring out like this
Hell no no premonition could have seen this
To the end, to the end, I'll journey to the end
To the end, to the end, I'll journey to the end
To the end, yeah
To the end, to the end, I'll journey to the end
Matty came from far away
From New Orleans, then into the East Bay
He said this is a mecca
I said this ain't no mecca man, this place is fucked
Three months go by, he had no home
He had no food, he's all alone
Matty said fool me once, shame on you
He said fool me twice, he went back to New Orleans
To the end, to the end, I'll journey to the end
To the end, to the end, I'll journey to the end
To the end, yeah
To the end, to the end, I'll journey to the end
Consumed in sacred ground for me
There wasn't always a place to go
But there was always an urgent need to belong yeah
All these bands and all these people
All these friends and we were equals
But what you gonna do when everybody goes on without you?
To the end, to the end, I'll journey to the end
To the end, to the end, I'll journey to the end
To the end, yeah
To the end, to the end, I'll journey to the end
Started in '87 ended in '89
Got a garage or an amp we'll play anytime
It was just the four of us yeah man the core of us
Too much attention unavoidably destroyed us
Four kids on tour, three thousand miles
In a four door car not know what was going on
We got a million years touring out like this
Hell no no premonition could have seen this
To the end, to the end, I'll journey to the end
To the end, to the end, I'll journey to the end
To the end, yeah
To the end, to the end, I'll journey to the end
Matty came from far away
From New Orleans, then into the East Bay
He said this is a mecca
I said this ain't no mecca man, this place is fucked
Three months go by, he had no home
He had no food, he's all alone
Matty said fool me once, shame on you
He said fool me twice, he went back to New Orleans
To the end, to the end, I'll journey to the end
To the end, to the end, I'll journey to the end
To the end, yeah
To the end, to the end, I'll journey to the end
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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 is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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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.
I Can't Go To Sleep
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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.
Great song summing up the late operation ivy... Why hasn't anyone posted on the rancid lyrics?