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.
A suited man smiled said:
"It's just a matter of time
You can have the world at your feet
By tomorrow
Just sign on this line."
Hold tight, limelight!
Approaching the paramount
With the sun in our eyes
Fearing family ties, legalize,
Compromise
In a dimly lit room with a stool as his
Stage
A dream-stricken prince of a pauper's
Descent
Haunts the eavesdropping silence
That presses his window
As he sweats a performance
To an audience that ticks on the wall
To the practical observer
It's just a matter of time
"You can deviate from the com-
Monplace
Only to fall back in line."
I understand mine's a risky plan
And your system can't miss
But is security after all a cause
Or symptom of happiness?
Brave, yet afraid, his eyes on horizon
In a steady-set gaze
A mariner soon from an open cocoon
Takes a moment to summon his courage
To stifle his grave apprehension and
Trembling, approaches the surf
A father's benediction as his hopeful
Son departs
To brave the sea of rage and conquer
At all costs
Lingers in his memory
And visions still surviving in a logic-
Proof shell
That should have been held sacred, safe
And hidden well
Are compromised in usury
With every rising sun that yields no
Sight of land
The hesitation cultivates within the
Tired man
And rumors spread of mutiny
And though the time will come when
Dream and day unite
Tonight the only consolation causing
Him to fight
In fearless faith in destiny
Even when plans fall to pieces
I can still find the courage
With promise I've found in my faith
Likely or not, it's a dream that we keep
And at odds with our senses we'll climb
But if faith is the answer, we're already
Reached it
And if spirit's a sign
Then it's only a matter of time
"It's just a matter of time
You can have the world at your feet
By tomorrow
Just sign on this line."
Hold tight, limelight!
Approaching the paramount
With the sun in our eyes
Fearing family ties, legalize,
Compromise
In a dimly lit room with a stool as his
Stage
A dream-stricken prince of a pauper's
Descent
Haunts the eavesdropping silence
That presses his window
As he sweats a performance
To an audience that ticks on the wall
To the practical observer
It's just a matter of time
"You can deviate from the com-
Monplace
Only to fall back in line."
I understand mine's a risky plan
And your system can't miss
But is security after all a cause
Or symptom of happiness?
Brave, yet afraid, his eyes on horizon
In a steady-set gaze
A mariner soon from an open cocoon
Takes a moment to summon his courage
To stifle his grave apprehension and
Trembling, approaches the surf
A father's benediction as his hopeful
Son departs
To brave the sea of rage and conquer
At all costs
Lingers in his memory
And visions still surviving in a logic-
Proof shell
That should have been held sacred, safe
And hidden well
Are compromised in usury
With every rising sun that yields no
Sight of land
The hesitation cultivates within the
Tired man
And rumors spread of mutiny
And though the time will come when
Dream and day unite
Tonight the only consolation causing
Him to fight
In fearless faith in destiny
Even when plans fall to pieces
I can still find the courage
With promise I've found in my faith
Likely or not, it's a dream that we keep
And at odds with our senses we'll climb
But if faith is the answer, we're already
Reached it
And if spirit's a sign
Then it's only a matter of time
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Blue
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“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Amazing
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Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Also, this song really shows off Dream Theater's lyrical prowess. The lyrics are absolutely excellent and sound great and yet are still deeply powerful. Only a Matter of Time is, lyrically, probably one of Dream Theater's best.
And this segment of the song happens to be one of the most poetic segments of music I have ever heard:
"A father's benediction as his hopeful son departs to brave the sea of rage and conquer at all costs lingers in his memory and visions still surviving in a logic-proof shell that should have been held sacred, safe and hidden well are compromised in usury with every rising sun that yields no sight of land the hesitation cultivates within the tired man and rumors spread of mutiny and though the time will come when dream and day unite tonight the only consolation causing him to fight is fearless faith in destiny"