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.
Big business ain't easy
I'm sure you'd agree
Especially when the product is eternity
To stay one step ahead we must achieve
And turn this holy temple
Into a factory
Is there anywhere you can run
To hide from the thieves?
Cause eternity's on sale today for a fee
Our sanctuary of the this high-rise
Our steeples
Our slogans
Our billboards
Our converts
Oh-don't forget to buy this t-shirt
As you leave
And open up the offering box
And give until it hurts
Show me an open heart and we'll steal it away
Cause eternity's up for sale for a small fee today
Faith is buying me away
Buying me a way
To convert the masses into little servants
Faith is buying me away
Buying me a way
Buying me into your home (soul)
This altar is a stage
Our sponsor must be paid
And maybe we'll even make the front page
I'm sure you'd agree
Especially when the product is eternity
To stay one step ahead we must achieve
And turn this holy temple
Into a factory
Is there anywhere you can run
To hide from the thieves?
Cause eternity's on sale today for a fee
Our sanctuary of the this high-rise
Our steeples
Our slogans
Our billboards
Our converts
Oh-don't forget to buy this t-shirt
As you leave
And open up the offering box
And give until it hurts
Show me an open heart and we'll steal it away
Cause eternity's up for sale for a small fee today
Faith is buying me away
Buying me a way
To convert the masses into little servants
Faith is buying me away
Buying me a way
Buying me into your home (soul)
This altar is a stage
Our sponsor must be paid
And maybe we'll even make the front page
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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.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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.
No matter what, I think most churches are this way. Or at least the big ones. They need more money to build bigger churches and keep renovating or whatever. Or like my old church--to mount a gigantic cross on the front. Tons of churches advertise on tv or billboards--but why? Those t-shirts and slogans... but most of all... we need to get you saved! We had 300 more saved Sunday morning! It may sound good but... "repeat this prayer after me" is barely the beginning of a relationship with God.
It is on how churches are constantly WAY too focused on the tithes and offerings and expansions, ect. I also see it being about how you shouldn't view your faith as a ticket to heaven or as a way to get hundreds of followers, but as a way to save others from the wrath to come. Btw, S.M.C. could stand for Sunday Morning Class/Communion/Church.
i think it is pretty self explanitory
haha this song rules, i love how he just comes out and states it blatantly. even though i'm not like a hardcore christian, i think it works well and this is an awesome song, especially the end.
i love Andrew's straitforward attitude on this song.. i don't need to explain it... I am a christian, and i believe for any christian, this song is difficult to swallow, yet it is a great observation that Andrew wrote about... i think for any christian, especially a church-go-er, needs to step back and evaluate what Christ's love is all about, and now what some corrupt church may make it to be.
JLew you hit the nail on the head.
Hello again.. If you're lost after reading my comment go see my comment in Little Green Men and follow the tracks from Truthless Heroes.
Stan visits a church, but he is sickened by what he finds in the church. This church is all about making money, nothing else but that. He feels he can't trust the church and starts looking for other means of 'fullfillment' leads into Team Black
I'm pretty sure he is saying "faith is buying my a way" as opposed to "faith is buying me away" as is listed. Entirely different meanings.
What does S.M.C. stand for?
What does S.M.C. stand for?