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.
I spent my lifetime wishin' the waitress would come around
Tellin' jokes, shootin' pool on the other side of town
The whistle blows at five o'clock
There's only one place I'll be found
Down at Ernie's Icehouse liftin' longnecks to that good old country sound
And talkin' 'bout the good old times
Braggin' 'bout how it used to be
And I've worn out the same old lines
Now it seems nothing's news to me
There's nothin' like a steel guitar cryin' in the night
There's nothin' like a sawdust floor and a good old friendly fight
I'd finally find my way back home and you'd patch up my face
But that was another time and another place
Now we're talkin' 'bout the good old times
Braggin' 'bout how it used to be
I've worn out the same old lines
Now it seems nothing's news to me
I wonder how I came to be the know-it-all I am
And how the world ever got used to me
Talkin' 'bout the good old times
Braggin' 'bout how it used to be
But I've worn out the same old lines
Now it seems nothing's news to me
Tellin' jokes, shootin' pool on the other side of town
The whistle blows at five o'clock
There's only one place I'll be found
Down at Ernie's Icehouse liftin' longnecks to that good old country sound
And talkin' 'bout the good old times
Braggin' 'bout how it used to be
And I've worn out the same old lines
Now it seems nothing's news to me
There's nothin' like a steel guitar cryin' in the night
There's nothin' like a sawdust floor and a good old friendly fight
I'd finally find my way back home and you'd patch up my face
But that was another time and another place
Now we're talkin' 'bout the good old times
Braggin' 'bout how it used to be
I've worn out the same old lines
Now it seems nothing's news to me
I wonder how I came to be the know-it-all I am
And how the world ever got used to me
Talkin' 'bout the good old times
Braggin' 'bout how it used to be
But I've worn out the same old lines
Now it seems nothing's news to me
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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"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.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[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.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
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 narrator in this song explains the pitiful state of his life.. hanging out in a bar, and remembering the past. He explains his activities: playing billiards, listening to country music, and drinking after work. Since his life is has become so mundane, he now laments that nothing changes - "nothing is new",.."Nothing's News"