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'm so good at running away
You'd think I'd grown up on a train
And you're so good at leading them on
Who am I to bring you down?
I wonder why I'm still hanging around
Was it the sound?
'Cause I've known for years that we'd get here
And I can't make believe that we're not seeing the same thing
And I've known for years that we'd get here
And it'd be a shame to make believe, it's better to leave
And it's so cruel, the way I recall
I ran out of lies to take it all
My questions tell whether I am just afraid
But who are they to stand in my way?
I wonder if I just soldier the crown
Was it the sound?
'Cause I've known for years that we'd get here
And I can't make believe that we're not seeing the same thing
'Cause I've known for years that we'd get here
And it'd be a shame to make believe...
It'd be a shame to make believe it's better to leave
It'd be a shame to make believe it's better to leave
It'd be a shame to make believe its better, better, better, better to leave
'Cause I've known for years that we'd get here
And I can't make believe that we're not seeing the same thing
'Cause I've known for years that we'd get here
And it'd be a shame
It'd be a shame, shame
It'd be a shame to make believe
It'd be a shame to make believe
Oh it's better to leave
You'd think I'd grown up on a train
And you're so good at leading them on
Who am I to bring you down?
I wonder why I'm still hanging around
Was it the sound?
'Cause I've known for years that we'd get here
And I can't make believe that we're not seeing the same thing
And I've known for years that we'd get here
And it'd be a shame to make believe, it's better to leave
And it's so cruel, the way I recall
I ran out of lies to take it all
My questions tell whether I am just afraid
But who are they to stand in my way?
I wonder if I just soldier the crown
Was it the sound?
'Cause I've known for years that we'd get here
And I can't make believe that we're not seeing the same thing
'Cause I've known for years that we'd get here
And it'd be a shame to make believe...
It'd be a shame to make believe it's better to leave
It'd be a shame to make believe it's better to leave
It'd be a shame to make believe its better, better, better, better to leave
'Cause I've known for years that we'd get here
And I can't make believe that we're not seeing the same thing
'Cause I've known for years that we'd get here
And it'd be a shame
It'd be a shame, shame
It'd be a shame to make believe
It'd be a shame to make believe
Oh it's better to leave
Lyrics submitted by Pryncess33
Known for Years Lyrics as written by Rachael Amanda Yamagata
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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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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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.
Sounds to me like it's a situation she saw coming a mile away. She always felt how things would turn out, and they did indeed turn out the way she anticipated...except for one thing. It meant a lot to her, and the way things suddenly turned, she thinks she's about to lose it all. But all of her feelings about it made her think it was something that should last, because it was important. It meant the world. It felt like something permanent.
So "it's a shame to make believe it's better to leave" than to try to make it work, pretty much. Sometimes no matter who much one person believes they can get over a rough patch, if the other person involved feels it's best to give up(because of how much work it would take to move past the problem), then you can lose something amazing no matter how priceless it is.
The way she delivers the chorus is so genuine.<p><b><i>Edited by delial on April 28 2008, at 09:17PM</i></b></p>
To me this means that she has "known for years" that this is not going to work out and that she has been holding out hope. I think that she is describing her feelings as she is at her wits end.
She probably wrote these lyrics for her former band, Bumpus. I think this song can be interpreted beyond the break-up/broken relationship perspective. I just resigned from my job and I can totally relate with the song. Same goes with "Reason Why".