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.
How can I think I'm standing strong?
Yet feel the air beneath my feet
How can happiness feel so wrong?
How can misery feel so sweet?
How can you let me watch you sleep?
Then break my dreams the way you do
How can I have got in so deep?
Why did I fall in love with you?
This is the closest thing to crazy
I have ever been
Feeling twenty-two, acting seventeen
This is the nearest thing to crazy
I have ever known
I was never crazy on my own
And now I know
That there's a link between the two
Being close to craziness, and being close to you
How can you make me fall apart?
Then break my fall with loving lies
It's so easy to break a heart
It's so easy to close your eyes
How can you treat me like a child?
Yet like a child I yearn for you
How can anyone feel so wild?
How can anyone feel so blue?
This is the closest thing to crazy
I have ever been
Feeling twenty-two, acting seventeen
This is the nearest thing to crazy
I have ever known
I was never crazy on my own
And now I know
That there's a link between the two
Being close to craziness, and being close to you
And being close to you
And being close to you
Yet feel the air beneath my feet
How can happiness feel so wrong?
How can misery feel so sweet?
How can you let me watch you sleep?
Then break my dreams the way you do
How can I have got in so deep?
Why did I fall in love with you?
This is the closest thing to crazy
I have ever been
Feeling twenty-two, acting seventeen
This is the nearest thing to crazy
I have ever known
I was never crazy on my own
And now I know
That there's a link between the two
Being close to craziness, and being close to you
How can you make me fall apart?
Then break my fall with loving lies
It's so easy to break a heart
It's so easy to close your eyes
How can you treat me like a child?
Yet like a child I yearn for you
How can anyone feel so wild?
How can anyone feel so blue?
This is the closest thing to crazy
I have ever been
Feeling twenty-two, acting seventeen
This is the nearest thing to crazy
I have ever known
I was never crazy on my own
And now I know
That there's a link between the two
Being close to craziness, and being close to you
And being close to you
And being close to you
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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 song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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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.
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Ed Sheeran
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“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Fantastic song, an hit that reflects well on the lass. Has an atmosphere in the voice that is quite unique.
i heard this song when i was in germany.. i and my friends love it and sing it on and on and on.. it became one of the soundtrack of my life.. since i was 22 at that time and fell in love with someone (gladly, the feeling stays until today)
she was right! by the time i was acting 17! so childish and naive! :)
in indonesia, it wasn't over-played.. it's very seldom actually! i stopped doing anything i did at everytime they play it on radio!! haha..
From my first hearing of 'closest thing to crazy' i found it a truly deep and soothing song depicting the bitterness that love can bring. Katie melua has a rich and sweet voce that really suits the song. i think the meaning of this song is how she is yearning for her love and yet although he has left her she still gets a sense of pleasure thinking about him and that is why it is crazy for her to act this way as he does not seem to return her love, therefore she is not acting mature about it....she feels 22 but acts 17 meaning that as a 22 year old she should try to get over him but is acting like a 17 year old. This is shown in one of my favourite lines when she says 'How can you treat me like a child. Yet, like a child, I yearn for you?' Im not sure if I will like another one of her songs as much as i like this one.
A exquisitely delivered song about an intense love where she feels she is not in control. It echoes my own experience some years ago which ended in heartbreak; the kind that never totally goes away. It's a bittersweet experience listening to it but I love this song all the same.
@wilmawonka12 sad story
This was the song that first made me notice Katie. This song was always going to go mainstream and the album shot to no. 1 because of it. Perhaps overplayed if you're a Katie fan, but still a wonderful song.
love this song
Her voice is unbelievable. It has something else about it, kinda like Dido, but alot better
I think this song's about sofas.
I agree, this song was sort of overplayed by most radio stations. However it was an over-played song I liked and I think shows that at least SOME of the time we can play true artists with TALENT. Katie is great and we should encourage more like this.
I've never heard this on the radio... The first time I heard it was on a TV-show, and I've had it on my brain for a couple of years now... So when I found it I was so glad! It is really SO great and Katie has a wonderful voice. I think it's abot unlucky love, someone she loved that hurted her