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.
oh, darkness filled the sky as pools of water filled your eyes
they sparkled like phosphorescence in the bay
although our lips barely touched
i have never felt so much
and i’d really like to feel that way again
oh , oh , when ?
i walk through the streets and memorize the city
i count every light until i reach the shore
sometimes i close my eyes and you’re not very pretty
sometimes i can’t believe i’ve had those thoughts before
we pulled a boat down to the dock and stole two steady oars
i pushed you off into the dark: acrisius favours
and from above the great abyss
you threw pennies in and wished for the feeling of wanting nothing more
sometimes i close my eyes
and hope that i can keep away all the darkened skies
they sparkled like phosphorescence in the bay
although our lips barely touched
i have never felt so much
and i’d really like to feel that way again
oh , oh , when ?
i walk through the streets and memorize the city
i count every light until i reach the shore
sometimes i close my eyes and you’re not very pretty
sometimes i can’t believe i’ve had those thoughts before
we pulled a boat down to the dock and stole two steady oars
i pushed you off into the dark: acrisius favours
and from above the great abyss
you threw pennies in and wished for the feeling of wanting nothing more
sometimes i close my eyes
and hope that i can keep away all the darkened skies
Lyrics submitted by nevermind_03__
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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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Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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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.
this is my all time favourite song. it is just so beautiful, and obviously very personal to the author. It paints a wonderful mental picture.
I love it, I have got into them the past few weeks and im going to see them in november in sheffield!!
I have everyone else getting into them aswell!!
I really dont know what the song is about but I try and relate it to my own feelings and intent!!
what can I sayabout this song? one of the prettiest songs I've ever heard...and katie's voice is amazing
"sometiems I close my eyes and your not very pretty sometimes I can't believe I've had this thoughs before" ...no comments...
"Although our lips barely touched, I have never felt so much and i’d really like to feel that way again"
Can relate. too well.
Gorgeous song.
this is an amazing song, it's extremely visual, and imaginative, and I'd really would like to know the story behind it, but anyway to means this is the story of two people who love each other so much but they can't be together because of something or someone.
'although our lips barely touched i've never felt so much' i love you even if our relationship is purely platonic kinda thing.
and then it goes 'i pushed you off into the dark...acrisius favours' as if they were saying, i better push you off before we get in trouble, acrisius is a character in ancient greek mithology, you know acrisius and perseus. and that's how the reference works i think.
and then 'you throw pennies in and wish for the feeling of wanting nothing more...' i don't i got a bit carried away but this song means a lot to me, i can relate to it a lot.
Fantastic song from this Canadian indie band. They sound like Debbie Harry fronting The Smiths. Brilliant.
I love love love this song....first heard it last year and I've been hooked on them since. For me, this is about just trapsing through unfamiliar places trying to make sense of it all, thinking about all the things that are bothering you. I know that's not the theme of the song, but I listened to this whilst wandering the streets so for me that's the message
I think this song is about the process of falling out of love.
How it sometimes feels obvious that is not working anymore ("sometimes i close my eyes and you’re not very pretty")and sometimes because you spend again a great moment together "I can't believe I've had this thoughs before"
I also think this song is about walking through the streets and thinking about the person you love and the "darkened skies". "sometimes i close my eyes and you’re not very pretty" it could be a sort of.. only when I close my eyes I can think that you're not very pretty to me.
I think casposa's bang on. About trying to forget someone. I love the images of her walking through the city with all the thoughts and memories that are so hard to get rid of.